OBJECTIVES: The epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) brought psychological stress to the public, especially to patients. This study aims to investigate the mental health of patients with COVID-19 in Changsha. METHODS: We took cross-section investigation for the mental health of 112 patients with COVID-19 via questionnaires. Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were performed to compare general and clinical data between the slight-ordinary patients and severe patients. Single sample -tests were used to compare the difference between the factor scores of the Symptom Check-List 90 (SCL-90) in COVID-19 patients with the norm of 2015 and factor scores of SCL-90 in patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). RESULTS: The obsessive-compulsive, depression, sleep and eating disorders had the highest frequency among the positive symptoms of SCL-90 in patients with COVID-19 in Changsha. The factor scores of somatization, depression, anxiety, phobia anxiety, sleep and eating disorders in patients with COVID-19 were higher than those of the norm (≤0.001 or <0.05). Slight-ordinary patients with COVID-19 in Changsha showed lower factor scores of somatization, depression, anxiety, and hostility compared with the patients with SARS (<0.001 or <0.05). There was no difference in factor scores of SCL-90 between the patients with severe COVID-19 and those with SARS(>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The levels of somatization, depression, anxiety, phobia anxiety, sleep and eating disorders in patients with COVID-19 in Changsha are higher than those of the norm. However, the mental health of slight-ordinary patients with COVID-19 is better than that of patients with SARS. It needs to provide targeting psychological interventions depending on the severity of patients.
Anxiety ; Betacoronavirus ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; psychology ; Depression ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; Health Status ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; psychology ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a Korean version of Night Eating Questionnaire (KNEQ) and test its psychometric properties and evaluate items according to item response theory. METHODS: The 14-item NEQ as a measure of severity of the night eating syndrome was translated into Korean, and then this KNEQ was evaluated. A total of 1171 participants aged 20 to 50 completed the KNEQ on the Internet. To test reliability and validity, Cronbach's alpha, correlation, simple regression, and factor analysis were used. Each item was analyzed according to Rasch-Andrich rating scale model and item difficulty, discrimination, infit/outfit, and point measure correlation were evaluated. RESULTS: Construct validity was evident. Cronbach's alpha was .78. The items of evening hyperphagia and nocturnal ingestion showed high ability in discriminating people with night eating syndrome, while items of morning anorexia and mood/sleep provided relatively little information. The results of item analysis showed that item2 and item7 needed to be revised to improve the reliability of KNEQ. CONCLUSION: KNEQ is an appropriate instrument to measure severity of night eating syndrome with good validity and reliability. However, further studies are needed to find cut-off scores to screen persons with night eating syndrome.
Adult ; Anorexia/etiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Feeding and Eating Disorders/*psychology ; Humans ; Internet ; Middle Aged ; *Program Evaluation ; *Psychometrics ; Republic of Korea ; Self Report ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Translating ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) in Korean patients with eating disorders and healthy controls, and to investigate cultural differences of EDI-2 between a Korean group and a North American standardization sample. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Korean version of the EDI-2 was prepared after comprehensive clinical assessment of Korean patients with eating disorders (n=327) as well as female undergraduates (n=176). Results were compared between eating disorder subgroups (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified) and those of a North American standardization sample and healthy controls. RESULTS: The results showed that the Korean EDI-2 had adequate internal consistency (0.77-0.93) and discriminated well between patients with eating disorders and healthy controls on all subscales. Significant differences in EDI-2 subscale scores between the eating disorder groups and the healthy control group were observed; however, there was no discernible difference among the eating disorder subgroups. When compared with a North American standardization sample, the Korean control group showed significantly higher scores for drive for thinness and asceticism. When patient groups were compared, the Korean group showed significantly lower scores for perfectionism. CONCLUSION: As expected, the results accurately reflected psychometric properties of the Korean version of EDI-2 for eating disorder patients in Korea. These findings also suggest that common characteristics for the eating disorder exist as a whole rather than with significant difference between each subgroup. In addition, significant differences between the Korean and the North American groups for both patients and controls also demonstrated specific cultural differences.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; *Cross-Cultural Comparison ; Eating Disorders/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; *Psychometrics ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the psychological factors such as eating psychopathology, depression, obsessive-compulsion, sleep problem, and stressors that affect the alcohol problems in patients with eating disorders. METHODS: Patients with eating disorders (n=347) who visited "M" clinic for eating disorder were participated in the study. Data were collected from February 2008 to May 2010 using Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Korean. RESULTS: Of the participants, 17.3% had an alcohol problem, 9.2% of them were diagnosed with alcohol dependency. Age, history of mental disorder in family, stress for love relationship, difficulties falling asleep, and 'impulse regulation' (one of eating psychopathologies) were significant associated factors of alcohol problem, but depression and obsessive-compulsion were not significant. CONCLUSION: Future interventions for patients with eating disorders should focus on assessing alcohol problems. Assessment should be non-judgmental, especially for those patients with high levels of impulse dysregulation, difficulties falling asleep, and stress in love relationship in order to prevent their early drop-out for the treatment. Alternative treatment for sleep problem and stress management also may be helpful for the patients with alcohol problem and eating disorders.
Depression ; Eating ; Feeding and Eating Disorders* ; Humans ; Love ; Mental Disorders ; Psychology ; Psychopathology

INTRODUCTIONElevated levels of psychopathology have been described in various groups of obese patients. This study aimed to describe the presence of depressive and binge eating symptoms in patients presented for clinical weight management at a general hospital in Singapore, as well as their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Correlations between these symptoms and other demographic and clinical variables were also sought.

MATERIALS AND METHODSPatients presented at a clinical weight management programme were asked to complete the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Binge Eating Scale (BES) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Clinical and demographic data were also collected.

RESULTSOf the group, 17.1% reported moderate or severe binge eating symptoms and 9.7% reported moderate or severe depressive symptoms. HRQOL, mostly in physical health domains, was lower in this sample compared to local norms. Within the group, binge eating and depressive symptoms, but not increasing obesity, predicted poorer HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONSPsychological symptoms are significantly present in patients presented for clinical weight management and these contribute to poorer quality of life. Addressing these symptoms will improve the overall well-beings of these patients and the total benefits gained will exceed the benefits of weight loss per se.

Adult ; Aged ; Depression ; complications ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; complications ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; ethnology ; psychology ; therapy ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Quality of Life ; psychology ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the prevalence and correlates of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors in South Korean students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 2,226 fourth and seventh grade students filled out questionnaires on eating attitudes and behaviors (Eating Attitude Test -26, EAT-26), coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. RESULTS: Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were found in 7 percent of students. In the multivariate analyses, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with the passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, total behavioral difficulties, fourth grade, and high socioeconomic status (SES). Differences in the associations were found between boys and girls. There were significant associations between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, desired underweight body mass index (BMI), and low SES in boys; and between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, being in the fourth grade, and high and low SES in girls. CONCLUSION: In South Korean children, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with various psychological and sociocultural factors; some gender-related differences are also evident.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating Disorders/epidemiology/*psychology ; Feeding Behavior/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Social Class

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the prevalence and correlates of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors in South Korean students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 2,226 fourth and seventh grade students filled out questionnaires on eating attitudes and behaviors (Eating Attitude Test -26, EAT-26), coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. RESULTS: Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were found in 7 percent of students. In the multivariate analyses, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with the passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, total behavioral difficulties, fourth grade, and high socioeconomic status (SES). Differences in the associations were found between boys and girls. There were significant associations between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, desired underweight body mass index (BMI), and low SES in boys; and between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, being in the fourth grade, and high and low SES in girls. CONCLUSION: In South Korean children, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with various psychological and sociocultural factors; some gender-related differences are also evident.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating Disorders/epidemiology/*psychology ; Feeding Behavior/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Social Class

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate psychological factors such as eating psychopathology, depression, and obsessive-compulsion that might influence self-harm behavior in patients with eating disorders. METHODS: Patients with eating disorders (n=135) who visited "M" clinic for eating disorders participated in the study. Data were collected from March to August 2007 using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and Self-Harm Inventory (SHI). RESULTS: The participants scored high on self-harm as well as on depression and obsessive-compulsion. On the SHI, a high frequency of self harm behavior such as 'torturing self with self-defeating thoughts', 'abused alcohol', 'hit self', and 'suicide attempt' were found for the participants. There were significant correlations between most eating psychopathology variables, depression, obsessive-compulsion, and self-harm behavior. 'Interoceptive awareness' (eating psychopathology), depression, and 'checking' (obsessive-compulsion) were significant predictors of self-harm behavior. CONCLUSION: Future interventions for patients with eating disorders should focus on assessing the possibility of self-harm and suicidal attempts, especially in those patients with high levels of eating psychopathology, depression, or obsessive-compulsion. Early intervention for depression and obsessive-compulsion could contribute to preventing self-harm and suicide in patients with eating disorders.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Demography ; Depression/complications/diagnosis/*psychology ; Eating Disorders/complications/diagnosis/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/complications/diagnosis/*psychology ; Questionnaires ; Suicide, Attempted/psychology

Salsolinol, a dopamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinoline, is one of the endogenous alkaloids structurally related to morphine. It has been implicated in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence and Parkinson's disease since it's first discovery in 1970's. Salsolinol is involved in many neurophysiological processes, including modulation of dopamine activity, facilitation of prolactin release and reinforcement of additive substance craving. In addition, salsolinol exerts highly neurotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons ultimately leading to apoptosis, which is mediated by inhibition of endogenous antioxidants and, thereby, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These properties are considerably based in alcohol dependence and several neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. Salsolinol is synthesized by the condensation of dopamine with acetaldehyde or pyruvate through enzymatic or non-enzymatic processes in the dopamine-rich neurons. Acute alcohol ingestion increase the level of acetaldehyde and salsolinol is structurally related to endogenous opioids. Therefore, it has been suggested that salsolinol may be the missing link between alcohol ingestion and the activation of reward pathway in the mesolimbic brain. The reinforcing effect of both alcohol and salsolinol in self-administration setting also strongly supports this hypothesis. N-methylsalsolinol, the major metabolite of salsolinol, is highly neurotoxic and responsible for the selective destruction of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease. In contrast to this, several structural analogs of salsolinol act as endogenous anti-parkinsonism substances. Delicate structural differences may underlie this peculiar properties. It may become possible to introduce fine structural modifications, even stereo-specific manipulations, to develop entirely newer kinds of antiparkinsonism drugs. Although the implication of salsolinol in the pathophysiology of alcohol dependence had been suggested long ago, the progression of the related research was at most very limited up to now. Even now, this important chemical, deeply involved in a wide range of essential neurophysiological processes, still is relatively neglected by psychiatric researchers. However, it is expected that the accumulating knowledge of salsolinol's neuromodulatory and neurotoxic effects will give new insights into the many dopamine related psychiatric disorders including substance dependence, parkinsonism and schizophrenia. We expect that many psychiatrists will give proper attention to this highly promising research subject.
Acetaldehyde ; Alcoholism ; Alkaloids ; Aluminum Hydroxide ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Brain ; Carbonates ; Dopamine ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Eating ; Humans ; Isoquinolines ; Morphine ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Parkinson Disease ; Parkinsonian Disorders ; Prolactin ; Psychiatry ; Pyruvic Acid ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reinforcement (Psychology) ; Research Subjects ; Reward ; Schizophrenia ; Substance-Related Disorders

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between eating disorders and parent-adolescent communication in middle school students. METHOD: There were 267 adolescents taken as participants from two middle schools in rural areas. Data were collected from June to July 2005, using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 questionnaire (23 items) and Parent-Adolescent Communication Inventory (10 items for open family communication, 10 items for problem in family communication). The SPSS Win version 12.0 was used for descriptive analysis, t-test, and partial correlation coefficient. RESULT: The mean score on the eating disorder was 2.74 (range: 1-6). Meanwhile, the mean scores on the parentadolescent communication was 3.37 (range: 1-5). There were significant differences in eating disorders according to gender, age, negative perception of the participant's body weight, family's perception of obesity, diet experiences, and BMI. Eating disorders showed a significant negative correlation with parent-adolescent communication. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a significant negative correlation between eating disorders and parent-adolescent communication. In order to prevent an eating disorder, education and training to enhance communication skills should be provided to adolescents and their parents as well.
Adolescent ; *Adolescent Psychology ; Attitude to Health ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; *Communication ; Eating Disorders/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Parent-Child Relations ; Personal Satisfaction ; Questionnaires ; Rural Population