title: Social phobia and quality of life in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morbidly obesity is characterized by physical and psychological comorbidities which are associated with reduced quality of life. Bariatric surgery has been linked to a reduction of psychopathology other than to a reduction of weight and improvement in physical functioning. Aim of the present study was to compare psychological features of two groups of morbidly obese patients, before and after bariatric surgery, assessing social phobia and quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 46 morbidly obese patients were enrolled in the study. Of them, 20 were waiting for bilio-pancreatic diversion (group A), while 26 had already undergone surgical procedure (group B). Psychometric evaluation assessed social phobia, fear for the body-shape and quality of life, using appropriate psychometric tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of patients showing social phobia was significantly higher compared to a sample of healthy controls (p=0.004), both in group A (p=0.003) and in group B (p=0.029). No differences in percentage of patients affected by social phobia were found between groups. A significantly higher percentage of patients affected by distress about the body (p<0.0001) was found in group A with respect to group B. A reduction of quality of life was found in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows a high prevalence of social phobia in a population of morbidly obese patients, both before and after surgery. A general reduction of quality of life was also observed, with a partial improvement after surgery. Future studies are needed to clarify the relationship between social phobia and quality of life in surgically-treated morbidly obese patients.
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Mirijello
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: D'Angelo
authors: Metabolic Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Amerigo
authors: A
authors: Iaconelli
authors: Metabolic Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Esmeralda
authors: E
authors: Capristo
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Ferrulli
authors: Metabolic Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Leccesi
authors: Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, Rende, Italy.
authors: Anthony
authors: A
authors: Cossari
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Landolfi
authors: Internal Medicine Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: g.addolorato@rm.unicatt.it.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Addolorato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BMI; Obesity; Quality of life; Social anxiety disorder