Review of literature and clinical practice experience for the therapeutic management of Morgellons disease.

Morgellons disease (MD) is a rare and contentious health condition characterized by dermatological symptoms including slow-healing skin lesions 'attributed' to fibres emerging from or under the skin. Patients also report sensations of crawling, biting and infestation with inanimate objects. This review examines the aetiology, patient characteristics, epidemiology, historical context, correlation with Lyme disease, role of internet, impact on quality of life and treatment approaches for MD. Despite ongoing debate, MD is not officially recognized in medical classifications, with differing views on its aetiology. Some link MD to Lyme disease, while others view it as a variant of delusional infestation. The literature suggests both psychiatric and environmental factors may contribute. The manuscript explores the association with substance abuse, psychiatric comorbidities, infectious agents and the role of internet communities in shaping perceptions. MD's impact on quality of life is significant, yet often overlooked. Treatment approaches are varied due to limited evidence, with low-dose antipsychotics being considered effective, but patient beliefs may influence adherence. A patient-centred, multidisciplinary approach is emphasized, considering both the physical and psychological dimensions of MD. Addressing the controversies surrounding MD while focusing on patient well-being remains a critical challenge for healthcare professionals.

Dermatological patients with itch report more stress, stigmatization experience, anxiety and depression compared to patients without itch: Results from a European multi-centre study.

BACKGROUND: Itch as the most common symptom in dermatology has been shown to be related to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. Moreover, associations were found between perceived stigmatization and itch. However, studies investigating the differences between patients with dermatoses with and without itch regarding perceived stress, stigmatization, anxiety and depression are missing. Therefore, one of the aims of the second study of the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP study II) was to investigate these relationships in a large cohort of patients with different itchy dermatoses. RESULTS: 3399 patients with 14 different itchy dermatoses were recruited at 22 centres in 17 European countries. They filled in questionnaires to assess perceived stigmatization, stress, signs of clinically relevant anxiety or depression, itch-related quality of life, the overall health status, itch duration, frequency and intensity. The most significant association between the severity of itching and the perception of stress was observed among individuals with rosacea (correlation coefficient r = 0.314). Similarly, the strongest links between itch intensity and experiences of stigmatization, anxiety, and depression were found in patients with seborrheic dermatitis (correlation coefficients r = 0.317, r = 0.356, and r = 0.400, respectively). Utilizing a stepwise linear regression analysis, it was determined that within the entire patient cohort, 9.3% of the variation in itch intensity could be accounted for by factors including gender, levels of anxiety, depression, and perceived stigmatization. Females and individuals with elevated anxiety, depression, and perceived stigmatization scores reported more pronounced itch intensities compared to those with contrary attributes. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the connection between experiencing itch and its intensity and the psychological strain it places on individuals. Consequently, psychological interventions should encompass both addressing the itch itself and the interconnected psychological factors. In specific cases, it becomes imperative for dermatologists to direct individuals towards suitable healthcare resources to undergo further psychological assessment.

[Mental disorders in the dental practice. Patients with body dysmorphic disorder]. / Serie: Psychische stoornissen in de mondzorgpraktijk. Patiënten met een morfodysfore stoornis.

Oral healthcare professionals are frequently consulted by patients who are dissatisfied with their teeth and/or facial looks. Sometimes, this dissatisfaction takes a pathological form. When someone is preoccupied with a (supposed) abnormality barely or not visible to others, performs certain actions in response to the concerns about their appearance and experiences significant suffering, this may be a case of body dysmorphic disorder. Its prevalence is 0.7-2.4% in the general population, but significantly higher in clinics where cosmetic or orthognathic procedures are performed (10-15%). Procedures aimed at improving the abnormality experienced by the patient rarely lead to a reduction of the symptoms, but more often result in more dissatisfaction and complaints towards the practitioner. It is difficult for practitioners to recognise this condition. An overview of characteristics, co-morbidity and consequences of body dysmorphic disorder for oral health and treatment will result in increased awareness of this condition among oral care providers.

[Psychological aspects of orthognathic surgery]. / Psychologische aspecten van een kaakstandcorrectie.

Corrective jaw surgery, for patients with malocclusion and dysgnathia, is primarily performed to rehabilitate oral functions. However, the patients' motivation for orthognathic surgery often seems to be influenced as well by the desire for aesthetic correction of a facial anomaly. Preoperative screening for psychiatric problems such as body dysmorphic disorder is requisite. The majority of orthognathic patients experience a negative influence of their appearance on their psychosocial well-being. In addition, the hope for aesthetic improvement is not seldom an important incentive for visiting an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. In the literature, in addition to a positive effect of corrective jaw surgery on the patient's perceived appearance, an associated improvement in quality of life is described. Correction of a disharmonious face is at least as important to patients as oral function recovery.

Body dysmorphic disorder screening in maxillofacial outpatients presenting for orthognathic surgery.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe psychiatric disease with delusions about defects in appearance for which patients seek surgical help. This is the first European study to determine the half-year prevalence of BDD in a maxillofacial outpatient clinic. A total of 160 patients with maxillofacial problems completed a validated self-report questionnaire, while a staff member scored maxillofacial defects on a severity scale. Twenty-eight (17%) patients had excessive concerns about their appearance, which negatively influenced their psychosocial functioning; 16 patients (10%; 95%CI 5-15%) screened positive for BDD. The high prevalence of problems related to psychosocial functioning and the occurrence of BDD in maxillofacial patients means that maxillofacial surgeons should take psychological concerns about physical defects into account.

[Body dysmorphic disorder in 3-8% of patients in outpatient dermatology and plastic surgery clinics]. / Stoornis in de lichaamsbeleving bij 3-8% van de patiënten op de poliklinieken Dermatologie en Plastische Chirurgie.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the 6-month prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in outpatient clinics of dermatology and plastic surgery in a university medical centre. DESIGN: Questionnaire study. METHOD: In the period January 2004-June 2004, the self-reported Body dysmorphic disorder questionnaire was completed by 530 and 475 new patients in the outpatient clinics of dermatology and plastic surgery, respectively. The dermatologist or plastic surgeon assessed the severity of the defect. To meet the DSM-IV criteria for BDD, the patient must have been preoccupied with treatment of all or part of their appearance, experienced obvious suffering or restriction of function with minimal or no defect present (defect score 1 or 2). RESULTS: In the outpatient clinics ofdermatology and plastic surgery 8.5% (95% CI: 6.1-10.9) and 3.2% (95% CI: 1.7-4.7) of patients screened positive for BDD, respectively. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of BDD was found in the outpatient clinics ofdermatology and plastic surgery. Because dermatologists and plastic surgeons do not often recognise BDD, a simple screening tool is needed.

The effects of spinal cord stimulation on quality of life in patients with therapeutically chronic refractory angina pectoris.

Objective. For patients with refractory angina pectoris, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a beneficial and safe adjuvant therapy. However, it has not yet been established whether SCS alters the quality of life (QoL) in these patients. Methods. In this study, 26 consecutive patients (age 61.3 ± 7.0 years, 13 females, angina duration 12.7 ± 6.0 years) were recruited. Social, mental, and physical aspects of QoL were determined by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP I), depression scale (CES-D), scoring of angina pectoris attacks and short-acting nitroglycerine intake, pain score on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), perceived health percentage, Satisfaction With Life scale (SWLS), and one-aspect Linear Analog Self Assessment scale (LASA). QoL outcomes at baseline were compared with reference values from healthy subjects. Within-group changes and magnitude of changes (effect size, ES) were assessed after 3 months and 1 year of SCS. Results. Compared to healthy subjects, the patients had significantly worse scores at baseline on NHP, SWLS, and LASA. After 3 months of SCS, NHP I aspect pain (ES = 1.39), AP-score (ES = 0.85), perceived health percentage (ES =- 0.80), NTG-use (ES = 1.08) and VAS-score (ES = 1.13) were all significantly improved (p < 0.05). After 3 months, moderate changes were observed; however, they were not statistically significant on the NHP-aspects "emotion" (ES = 0.57) and "sleep" (ES = 0.56). At the 1-year follow-up, significant and substantial improvements were found on NHP-I aspects: pain, energy, emotional reactions, social isolation, sleep, and physical mobility (p < 0.05) with changes that can be interpreted as large (ES > 0.80). Conclusion. QoL in patients with refractory angina pectoris is poor. Both pain and health aspects of QoL improved significantly after 3 months of SCS. Social, mental, and physical aspects of QoL were found improved after 1 year of SCS.