The impact of group cognitive behavioral psychotherapy on disease severity and psychosocial functioning in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomized controlled study.

Background And Aims: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often report symptoms of anxiety and depression as well as impaired quality of life (QoL). To date, there are few studies on the effect of psychotherapy on psychological functioning and clinical outcome in patients with IBD. The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled study was to investigate the effect of a brief psychotherapeutic intervention on psychological distress, QoL, sexual functioning, and inflammation and disease activity indices in patients with IBD.

The Contribution of the Brain-Gut Axis to the Human Reward System.

The human reward network consists of interconnected brain regions that process stimuli associated with satisfaction and modulate pleasure-seeking behaviors. Impairments in reward processing have been implicated in several medical and psychiatric conditions, and there is a growing interest in disentangling the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The brain-gut axis plays a regulatory role in several higher-order neurophysiological pathways, including reward processing.

Interoceptive Processing in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of overt pathology and affect a significant percentage of the worldwide population. They are commonly accompanied by co-morbid psychiatric symptomatology and are associated with significant suffering and great healthcare services utilization. There is growing evidence that dysregulation of the gut-brain axis and disturbances in the processing of afferent interoceptive signals lie at the heart of these disorders.

Alexithymic characteristics and interoceptive abilities are associated with disease severity and levels of C-reactive protein and cytokines in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Alexithymia and atypical gut-brain signaling have been linked to the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We herein assessed IBD patients' alexithymia levels and interoceptive abilities, and detected potential correlations with psychological distress, symptom severity and disease activity, and inflammation indices.

Methods: Adult IBD outpatients and healthy controls were recruited.

Urinary free cortisol is a reliable index of adrenal cortisol production in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Background: The measurement of total and free cortisol has been studied as a clinical index of adrenal cortisol production in patients with liver cirrhosis. Correlations between free plasma and salivary cortisol have previously been reported in stable cirrhotic patients. Urinary free cortisol constitutes an index of adrenal cortisol production; however, it has never been used in assessing adrenal function in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Endotoxin Translocation and Gut Barrier Dysfunction Are Related to Variceal Bleeding in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: Bacterial infections are associated with the risk of variceal bleeding through complex pathophysiologic pathways.

Objectives: The primary objective of the present case-control study was to investigate the role of bacterial translocation and intestinal barrier dysfunction in the pathogenesis of variceal bleeding. A secondary objective was to determine independent predictors of key outcomes in variceal bleeding, including bleeding-related mortality.

Systematic Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Integration in Regular School Classes: A Naturalistic Study.

Objective of the present study was the assessment of the effect of a systematic community intervention offered at an early age to 32 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 2 to 5 year after completion of treatment while attending public school classes. The intervention had been offered at a community Day Centre and lasted 3 years. On assessment all children showed clinical improvement and significant results on (CARS) and and 13 scored below criteria for autism on (ADOS-2).

Hospital workforce mental reaction to the pandemic in a low COVID-19 burden setting: a cross-sectional clinical study.

Τhe COVID-19 pandemic has mental health implications for both healthcare workforces and general population, particularly in regions heavily hit by the crisis. Τhe study aimed (i) to investigate anxiety- and depression severity differences between staff of a COVID-19 treatment unit (N = 84) and a hospital without such a unit (N = 55) in comparison to participants of a convenience general population online survey (N = 240) and (ii) to explore relations between such symptoms and hospital staff reaction to COVID-19 in a low COVID-19 burden setting. Anxiety was studied with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item in hospital workforces and with the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) in online survey participants.

Psychological Distress and Health-Related Quality of Life in Public Sector Personnel.

Background: This study has assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological distress between public sector professional groups.

Methods: Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered to healthcare personnel, schoolteachers, and municipality and regional personnel in the region of Western Greece. Mean scores on all SF-36 dimensions and HADS were compared among these professional groups as well as with the Greek national norms to assess if there were significant differences between our study sample and the general population.

Psychological distress in the Greek general population during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has rapidly spread worldwide, threatening public health and financial and social life.

Aims: The current study's aim was to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress symptoms in the Greek population during the first COVID-19 lockdown, and to detect potential correlates.

Method: An anonymous online survey was conducted between 10 April and 4 May 2020, to collect information regarding people's psychological functioning and COVID-19-related perceptions.

Associations between (sub) clinical stress- and anxiety symptoms in mentally healthy individuals and in major depression: a cross-sectional clinical study.

Background: Responses to stressful circumstances have psychological and physiological dimensions, and are related to anxiety symptoms and mental disorders such as depression. Nonetheless, the relationship between subclinical stress and anxiety symptoms is still elusive.

Methods: To explore possible associations between stress and anxiety symptoms, patients with major depression (N = 77) and mentally healthy individuals of different age clusters and occupations (N = 412) were enrolled into the study.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a highly prevalent medical condition, characterized by intrahepatic fat accumulation which may eventually lead to hepatic inflammation, cell death and reactive fibrosis. Obesity and metabolic disturbances constitute significant contributors to liver steatosis pathogenesis, however, there is a growing awareness that fatty liver may emerge even in normal weight or metabolically healthy individuals. In recent years, advanced imaging techniques have revealed that liver steatosis is quite common in inflammatory bowel disease patients, suggesting that intestinal inflammation and disturbances of the liver-gut axis may also play a key role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathophysiology.

Neonate gut colonization: The rise of a social brain.

Background: The human gut microbiota constitutes an integral part of human physiology, playing an important role in maintaining health, and compositional or functional changes in intestinal microbiota may be associated with the emergence of several chronic diseases. Animal and human studies have shown that there is a dynamic cross-talk between intestinal microorganisms and brain networks which has an impact on neurodevelopment and may be extremely critical in shaping human social behavior.

Purpose: The aim of the current review is to appraise and present in a concise manner all findings linking the evolution of neonate and infant gut colonization with early social development and to formulate scientifically informed hypotheses which could guide future research on this field.

Psychological distress and health-related quality of life in parents of children referred to an outpatient service for children with developmental disorders.

Objectives: The current study's aim was to measure anxiety, depression and quality of life in parents of children referred for developmental evaluation.

Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life, respectively.

Results: One hundred and thirty parents participated in the study, 95 with a child referred for evaluation and 35 with healthy children.

Psychosocial Issues in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: In recent years, the adoption of unhealthy dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle has led to an alarming increase in the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pediatric populations. Hepatic steatosis is now considered the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents and may progress to liver fibrosis and even cirrhosis, increasing long-term mortality rates. Apart from its severe medical co-morbidities, pediatric NAFLD is associated with a variety of psychosocial factors which act either as precipitants or consequences of the disease.

Quality of life in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review.

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent medical condition, which may lead to severe complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its chronic course and its association with obesity and diabetes mellitus augment the long-term impact of NAFLD on patients' health and quality of life (QoL) and put great strain on healthcare systems worldwide. Research is growingly focusing on NAFLD patients' QoL in an attempt to describe the full spectrum of disease burden and tackle its future consequences.

Genetic Variations Associated with Sleep Disorders in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review.

Schizophrenic patients commonly suffer from sleep disorders which are associated with acute disease severity, worsening prognoses and a poorer quality of life. Research is attempting to disentangle the complex interplay between schizophrenia and sleep disturbances by focusing not only on demographic and clinical characteristics, but also on the identification of genetic factors. Here, we performed a systematic literature review on the topic of genetic variations in sleep-disordered schizophrenic patients in an attempt to identify high quality investigations reporting scientifically sound and clinically useful data.

Male hepatitis C patients' sexual functioning and its determinants.

Objective: The aim of the study was to detect sexual impairment in male hepatitis C virus patients and determine its associations.

Patients And Methods: A total of 61 male hepatitis C virus patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Sexual functioning was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function.

Sexual functioning in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a systematic disease that affects several aspects of patients' well-being, including physical, mental, social, and sexual quality of life. In recent years, there has been a growing body of literature focusing on HCV patients' sexual health, providing evidence of clinically significant and enduring disturbances that disrupt everyday living, but commonly evade clinicians' attention. Relevant studies are characterized by considerable methodological heterogeneity and their findings should be interpreted using a systematic and integrative approach.

The effect of bariatric surgery on patient HRQOL and sexual health during a 1-year postoperative period.

Background: Negative consequences of the obesity epidemic include decreased physical, psychological, and sexual health. Bariatric surgery is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for morbid obesity. This study aimed to determine the effect of bariatric surgery on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and sexual functioning and to identify potential predictors of this effect.

Acceptance of hepatitis B vaccination among health care workers in Western Greece.

Health care personnel are at high risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. The aim of the present study was to investigate hepatitis B (HB) knowledge and vaccination acceptance among health care personnel in southwestern Greece, using the Hepatitis B Vaccine Knowledge and Acceptance Questionnaire. One hundred eighty-three employees participated (71 males).

Assessing ego defense mechanisms by questionnaire: psychometric properties and psychopathological correlates of the Greek version of the Plutchik's Life Style Index.

The Life Style Index (LSI; Plutchik, Kellerman, & Conte, 1979 ) was designed to assess defense mechanisms, assuming that their use is related to specific affective states and diagnostic concepts. We aimed to assess the psychometric properties of its Greek version and its relation to psychopathological symptoms. The LSI was back-translated into Greek and was administered to 1,261 participants.

Bariatric surgery is associated with reduced depressive symptoms and better sexual function in obese female patients: a one-year follow-up study.

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity; few studies, however, have investigated its impact on patients' sexuality. We aimed to determine bariatric surgery's effect on female patients' body mass index (BMI), anxiety and depressive symptoms, and sexual function and delineate predictors of treatment outcomes. Fifty-nine obese female bariatric candidates were administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Female Sexual Function Index 1 week before surgery (T1) and 1 year after (T2).

Fatigue and depressive symptoms associated with chronic viral hepatitis patients. health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Background And Rationale: It is well established that chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) negatively affects patients . health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the present study was to assess the extent to which fatigue and depressive symptoms are associated with CVH patients.