Comparison between Physical Activity and Stress-Related Lifestyle between Orthorexic and Non-Orthorexic University Students: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: The literature regarding orthorexia nervosa (ON) has well documented the association with other mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders. However, the research has not taken into account stress-related behavior and the conduction of physical activity (PA), both structured and unstructured. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 165 students of the University of Parma (92 females and 74 males) aged between 18 and 49 years old (mean = 24.62 ± 4.81) were consecutively recruited. The ORTO-15 questionnaire was used to divide the total sample into a group without orthorexia (score > 40) and a group with orthorexia (score < 40). All subjects completed the P Stress Questionnaire, and specific items were extrapolated from the Eating Habits Structured Interview (EHSI) to investigate lifestyle, including structured and unstructured PA. (3) Results: Subjects with orthorexia represented 83% of the total sample and reported higher levels of stress-related risk behaviors (i.e., sense of responsibility (t = -1.99, p = 0.02), precision (t = -1.99, p = 0.03), stress disorders (t = -1.38, p = 0.05), reduced spare time (t = -1.97, p = 0.03), and hyperactivity (t = -1.68, p = 0.04)) and a higher frequency of PA (i.e., hours spent training in structured PA, daily (t = -1.68, p = 0.05), weekly (t = -1.91, p = 0.03), and monthly (t = -1.91, p = 0.03), the tendency to carry out physical exercise even if tired (t = -1.97, p = 0.02), and to adhere to unstructured PA (i.e., moving on foot or by bike rather than using transport (t = 1.27, p = 0.04)). (4) Conclusions: The results confirmed the presence of hyperactivity at a motor and behavioral level in people with orthorexia. Further studies are necessary to highlight the causality between ON, stress, and physical activity but it may be possible to hypothesize that "obsessive" physical exercise may not generate the benefits generally known by the literature.

Clinical-Psychological Aspects Involved in Gynecological Surgery: Description of Peri-Operative Psychopathological Symptoms and Illness Behavior.

Background: Within the current literature concerning the gynecological surgery, there are only a few studies that focus on the psychological aspects that characterize the peri-operative period. In this research, the psychopathological symptoms and the illness behavior were assessed in order to confirm previous results about clinical variables such as the type and method of intervention, as well as psychological aspects regarding the positive anamnesis for mental disorders. Moreover, other factors including the desire for maternity and previous surgical interventions and pregnancies were also investigated. Methods: In this observational research, 58 women (age = 41.5±8.8), that undergone gynecological surgery (conservative and non-conservative) for benign pathologies, were consecutively recruited. Information on psychopathological symptoms was collected 15 days (T0) and one day before surgery (T1), and at the time of discharge (T2) through the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ). At T2, the Illness Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) was also administered. Results: The descriptive analyzes conducted on the total sample demonstrated that while anxious activation and irritable mood decrease from T0 to T1, somatizations and depression mood increase between T1 and T2. Moreover, the comparisons between groups, dividing the sample according to the clinical-medical and psychological variables, highlighted that the type and modality of the intervention, as well as a positive history for the presence of psychological disorders, the desire for maternity, and previous surgical interventions and pregnancies, can influence the course of psychopathological symptoms. Conclusion: This study highlights the need to include a clinical-psychological evaluation and to pay attention to specific clinical variables regarding women that are undergoing a conservative or non-conservative gynecological surgery. Considering the psychological impact of these type of interventions, the clinical history of these women, as well as their fears and desires, could facilitate a better management of the patients in terms of well-being, adherence to treatment, and recovery.

Fundamento: Dentro de la literatura actual referente a la cirugía ginecológica, existen pocos estudios que se centren en los aspectos psicológicos que caracterizan el perioperatorio. En esta investigación se evaluaron los síntomas psicopatológicos y la conducta de enfermedad con el fin de confirmar resultados previos sobre variables clínicas como el tipo y método de intervención así como aspectos psicológicos en cuanto a la anamnesis positiva para trastornos mentales. Además, también se investigaron otros factores, como el deseo de maternidad y las intervenciones quirúrgicas y embarazos previos. Métodos: En esta investigación observacional, se reclutaron consecutivamente 58 mujeres (edad=41.5±8.8), sometidas a cirugía ginecológica (conservadora y no conservadora) por patologías benignas. La información relativa a los síntomas psicopatológicos se ha recogido durante 15 días (T0) y un día antes de la cirugía (T1), y en el momento del alta (T2) a través del Cuestionario de Síntomas (SQ). En T2 también se administró el Cuestionario de Conducta de Enfermedad (IBQ). Resultados: Los análisis descriptivos realizados sobre la muestra total demostraron que mientras la activación ansiosa y el estado de ánimo irritable disminuyen de T0 a T1, las somatizaciones y el estado de ánimo depresivo aumentan entre T1 y T2. Además, las comparaciones entre grupos, dividiendo la muestra de acuerdo con las variables clínico-médicas y psicológicas, destacaron que el tipologia y modalidad de la intervención, así como una historia positiva para la presencia de trastornos psicológicos, deseo de maternidad y antecedentes quirúrgicos, las intervenciones y los embarazos pueden influir en el curso de los síntomas psicopatológicos. Conclusión: Este estudio pone de relieve la necesidad de incluir una evaluación clínico-psicológica y prestar atención a variables clínicas específicas en mujeres que se someten a una cirugía ginecológica conservadora o no conservadora. Considerando el impacto psicológico de este tipo de intervenciones, la historia clínica de estas mujeres, sus miedos y deseos podría facilitar un mejor manejo de las pacientes en términos de bienestar, adherencia al tratamiento y recuperación.

Need for Multidimensional and Multidisciplinary Management of Depressed Preadolescents and Adolescents: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials on Oral Supplementations (Omega-3, Fish Oil, Vitamin D3).

(1) Background: Depression is a serious health problem with a high cost for public administration. Epidemiological studies report that one in five children have a mental disorder and about 50% of mental health problems exacerbate in childhood and adolescence. Moreover, the antidepressant efficacy in children and adolescents is poorly demonstrated and can cause severe behavioral adverse events such as suicidal ideation. (2) Methods: This systematic literature review examined oral supplementations (Omega-3, fish oil, Vitamin D3) to treat depressed children, preadolescents, and adolescents. MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched for articles published in the last five years. Six studies met the eligibility criteria. The inclusion criteria encompassed children, preadolescents, and adolescents, a diagnosis of depression, and an intervention of oral supplementations such as Omega-3, fish oil, and Vitamin D3. (3) Results: Most of the studies demonstrated that dietary intervention provides positive outcomes in terms of depression symptoms. (4) Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrate a positive effect for oral supplementation suggesting an increase intake of Omega-3, fish oil, and Vitamin D3. However, only a few studies assess the effectiveness of diet recommendations, as a monotherapy or combined treatment, for the management of depression at developmental ages. Thus, there is still a need to further investigate these aspects and to look more specifically at adolescents and preadolescents.