Treatment outcome in people with subthreshold compared with full-syndrome binge eating disorder.

Objective: There is a controversial discussion in the literature as to whether individuals with subthreshold binge eating disorder (subBED) differ clinically significantly from individuals with full-syndrome binge eating disorder (BED). This study was designed to compare eating-related and general psychopathology at baseline and in response to a multimodal treatment program in obese people with subBED compared with BED.

Research Methods And Procedures: A total of 96 obese participants (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) were assessed for eating-related and general psychopathology at baseline.

Cardiac parasympathetic regulation in obese women with binge eating disorder.

Objective: Obese individuals with a binge eating disorder (BED) differ from obese non-binge eaters (NBED) with respect to (a) eating behaviour, (b) psychiatric comorbidity and (c) level of psychosocial distress. The aim of the study was to explore whether these three factors have an influence on cardiac parasympathetic function, that is independent of obesity: as alterations in cardiac parasympathetic function may have a role in the higher cardiovascular mortality that is present in obese individuals.

Methods: In total, 38 obese women (BMI>30 kg/m(2)), with a BED and 34 age and BMI matched healthy controls (NBED) completed a laboratory stress protocol that incorporated a baseline resting period, Head-up Tilt Testing (HUT) and two challenging mental tasks.

Comparative validity of three screening questionnaires for DSM-IV depressive disorders and physicians' diagnoses.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the WHO (five) Well Being Index (WBI-5), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and physicians' recognition of depressive disorders, and to recommend specific cut-off points for clinical decision making.

Methods: A total of 501 outpatients completed each of the three depression screening questionnaires and received the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) as the criterion standard. In addition, treating physicians were asked to give their psychiatric diagnoses.

Predictors of psychiatric comorbidity in medical outpatients.

Objective: Psychiatric comorbidity in medical outpatients is associated with personal suffering and reduced psychosocial functioning. Simple clinical indicators are needed to improve recognition and treatment of psychiatric comorbidity. This study aimed to identify predictors of psychiatric comorbidity for diagnostic use in busy medical settings and to describe their criterion validity.