title: Obesity and psychopathology. A study of psychiatric comorbidity among patients attending a specialist obesity unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aims to evaluate the frequency of association between Axis I and II disorders according to DSMIVTR criteria and obesity, and use of mental health services in a clinical sample of patients attending a centre for the diagnosis and treatment of Obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  150 consecutive patients (32 Males, 118 females, mean age 44.6 +/- 14.3 yrs; mean BMI 35.4 +/- 6.2) were interviewed by means of SCID I and SCID II.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lifetime Prevalence of Axis I disorders was 58% (males 50%; females 61%); the highest prevalence rate was found for Anxiety Disorders (approx 35%), whilst 30% of subjects were affected by Mood disorders, chiefly Major Depression (20%), and 18% by Eating Disorders. 28% of obese patients presented a Personality Disorder, 23% of patients being affected both by an Axis I and Axis II disorder. Mood Disorders, in particular Major Depression, were significantly prevalent among female obese. 50% of females and approx 37% males included in the sample had contacted mental health units for treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data obtained in the present study confirm the high prevalence rates of mental disorders in obese patients seeking treatment. Specialist units should therefore include thorough psychiatric evaluation of patients as a routine practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section of Psychiatry, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. bcarpin@iol.it
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carpiniello
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nonnoi
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pisano
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Corrias
authors.forename: Maria Germana
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Orrù
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Orrù
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Velluzzi
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loviselli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*