ABSTRACT
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynaecological/endocrine disorder that affects 5%-10% of women of reproductive age. Its association with psychiatric conditions is well known. This study aimed to evaluate personality, temperamental, and stress-related characteristics among PCOS patients by comparing them with a control group. We found that PCOS patients presented more pronounced features of type D personality and had higher NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO FFI) scores on neuroticism and lower NEO FFI scores on openness to experience and conscientiousness. On the Polish version of the Emotionality Activity Sociability Temperament Survey (EAS-D), PCOS patients reported higher emotionality-fear and lower activity than controls. The PCOS group also had higher scores on state anxiety and trait anxiety, using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Distressed Personality Scale (DS-14) questionnaires. These findings underline the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the care of PCOS patients.
Subject(s)
Genital Diseases, Female , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Anxiety/psychology , Female , Humans , Personality , Personality Inventory , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/complications , TemperamentABSTRACT
Anorexia nervosa (AN) causes the highest number of deaths among all psychiatric disorders. Reduction in food intake and hyperactivity/increased anxiety observed in AN are also the core features of the activity-based anorexia animal model (ABA). Our aim was to assess how the acute ABA protocol mimics common AN complications, including gonadal and cardiovascular dysfunctions, depending on gender, age, and initial body weight, to form a comprehensive description of ABA as a reliable research tool. Wheel running, body weight, and food intake of adolescent female and male rats were monitored. Electrocardiography, heart rate variability, systolic blood pressure, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements were performed. Immediately after euthanasia, tissue fragments and blood were collected for further analysis. Uterine weight was 2 times lower in ABA female rats, and ovarian tissue exhibited a reduced number of antral follicles and decreased expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors. Cardiovascular measurements revealed autonomic decompensation with prolongation of QRS complex and QT interval. The ABA model is a reliable research tool for presenting the breakdown of adaptation mechanisms observed in severe AN. Cardiac and hormonal features of ABA with underlying altered neuroendocrine pathways create a valid phenotype of a human disease.
Subject(s)
Anorexia Nervosa/etiology , Anorexia Nervosa/physiopathology , Caloric Restriction , Cardiovascular System/innervation , Running , Adipose Tissue/diagnostic imaging , Adipose Tissue/physiopathology , Adiposity , Animals , Anorexia Nervosa/diagnostic imaging , Anorexia Nervosa/pathology , Autonomic Nervous System/physiopathology , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Hemodynamics , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Organ Size , Ovarian Follicle/pathology , Rats, Wistar , Time Factors , Uterus/pathology , Weight LossABSTRACT
Anorexia nervosa (AN) represents a disorder with the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric diseases, yet our understanding of its pathophysiological components continues to be fragmentary. This article reviews the current concepts regarding AN pathomechanisms that focus on the main biological aspects involving central and peripheral neurohormonal pathways, endocrine function, as well as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. It emerged from the unique complexity of constantly accumulating new discoveries, which hamper the ability to look at the disease in a more comprehensive way. The emphasis is placed on the mechanisms underlying the main symptoms and potential new directions that require further investigation in clinical settings.
