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Fava GA, Patierno C, Sonino N, Cosci F. Key psychosocial issues in medical care. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2024; 149:368-377. [PMID: 38303125 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to illustrate an innovative framework for assessing the psychosocial aspects of medical disorders within the biopsychosocial model. It is based on clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements. It may overcome the limitations of DSM-5 in identifying highly individualized responses at the experiential, behavioral, and interpersonal levels. METHOD A critical review of the clinimetric formulations of the biopsychosocial model in the setting of medical disease was performed. References were identified through searches from PubMed for English articles on human subjects published from January 1982 to October 2023. RESULTS Clinimetric methods of classification have been found to deserve special attention in four major areas: allostatic load (the cumulative cost of fluctuating and heightened neural or neuroendocrine responses to environmental stressors); health attitudes and behavior; persistent somatization; demoralization and irritable mood. This type of assessment, integrated with traditional psychiatric nosography, may disclose pathophysiological links and provide clinical characterizations that demarcate major prognostic and therapeutic differences among patients who otherwise seem deceptively similar because they have the same medical diagnosis. It may be of value in a number of medical situations, such as: high level of disability or compromised quality of life in relation to what is expected by disease status; delayed or partial recovery; insufficient participation in self-management and/or rehabilitation; failure to resume healthy role after convalescence; unhealthy lifestyle; high attendance of medical facilities disproportionate to detectable disease; lack of treatment adherence; illness denial. CONCLUSIONS The clinimetric approach to the assessment of key psychosocial variables may lead to unique individual profiles, that take into account both biology and biography. It may offer new opportunities for integrating psychosocial and medical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
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2
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Fava GA. Clinical Use of Staging in Psychiatry. Psychother Psychosom 2024:1-8. [PMID: 38636469 DOI: 10.1159/000538526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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3
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Fava GA, Sonino N, Aron DC, Balon R, Berrocal Montiel C, Cao J, Concato J, Eory A, Horwitz RI, Rafanelli C, Schnyder U, Wang H, Wise TN, Wright JH, Zipfel S, Patierno C. Clinical Interviewing: An Essential but Neglected Method of Medicine. Psychother Psychosom 2024; 93:94-99. [PMID: 38382481 DOI: 10.1159/000536490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Clinical interviewing is the basic method to understand how a person feels and what are the presenting complaints, obtain medical history, evaluate personal attitudes and behavior related to health and disease, give the patient information about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, and establish a bond between patient and physician that is crucial for shared decision making and self-management. However, the value of this basic skill is threatened by time pressures and emphasis on technology. Current health care trends privilege expensive tests and procedures and tag the time devoted to interaction with the patient as lacking cost-effectiveness. Instead, the time spent to inquire about problems and life setting may actually help to avoid further testing, procedures, and referrals. Moreover, the dialogue between patient and physician is an essential instrument to increase patient's motivation to engage in healthy behavior. The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of clinical interviewing and its optimal use in relation to style, flow and hypothesis testing, clinical domains, modifications according to settings and goals, and teaching. This review points to the primacy of interviewing in the clinical process. The quality of interviewing determines the quality of data that are collected and, eventually, of assessment and treatment. Thus, interviewing deserves more attention in educational training and more space in clinical encounters than it is currently receiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - David C Aron
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Richard Balon
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Anesthesiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Carmen Berrocal Montiel
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jianxin Cao
- Changzhou First People's Hospital and Psychosomatic Gastroenterology Institute, Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - John Concato
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Ajandek Eory
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ralph I Horwitz
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Hongxing Wang
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatics, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Psychosomatic Disease Consultation Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Thomas N Wise
- Department of Psychiatry, Inova Health Systems, Falls Church, Virginia, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jesse H Wright
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Hospital Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
- German Centre of Mental Health, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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4
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Fava GA. The Role of Well-Being in Physicians' Health. Am J Med 2024; 137:83-84. [PMID: 37984776 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo.
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5
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Fava GA. The Clinical Importance of Life Setting: A Tribute to Eugene S. Paykel, MD (1934-2023). Psychother Psychosom 2024; 93:3-7. [PMID: 38246138 DOI: 10.1159/000535668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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6
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Fava GA. Benzodiazepines in elderly patients. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2023; 148:391-393. [PMID: 37827997 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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7
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Silberman E, Nardi AE, Starcevic V, Balon R, Cosci F, Fava GA, Salzman C, Shader R, Sonino N. Resolving the Paradox of Long-Term Benzodiazepine Treatment: Toward Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines. J Clin Psychiatry 2023; 84:23com14959. [PMID: 37883247 DOI: 10.4088/jcp.23com14959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Silberman
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
- Corresponding Author: Edward Silberman, MD, Tufts University School of Medicine, 800 Washington St, #1007, Boston, MA 02111
| | | | | | - Richard Balon
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
| | | | | | | | - Richard Shader
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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8
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Fava GA, Guidi J. Management of Depression in Medical Patients: The Role of Clinical Evaluation. Psychother Psychosom 2023; 92:287-291. [PMID: 37866352 DOI: 10.1159/000533954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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9
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Patierno C, Fava GA, Carrozzino D. Illness Denial in Medical Disorders: A Systematic Review. Psychother Psychosom 2023; 92:211-226. [PMID: 37429268 DOI: 10.1159/000531260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Illness denial pertains to medical patients who do not acknowledge the presence or severity of their disease or the need of treatment. OBJECTIVE This systematic review was performed to clarify the clinical role and manifestations of illness denial, its impact on health attitudes and behavior, as well as on short- and long-term outcomes in patients with medical disorders. METHODS The systematic search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. RESULTS The initial search yielded a total of 14,098 articles; 176 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Illness denial appeared to be a relatively common condition affecting a wide spectrum of health attitudes and behavior. In some cases, it may help a person cope with various stages of illness and treatment. In other situations, it may determine delay in seeking treatment, impaired adherence, and reduced self-management, leading to adverse outcomes. The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) were found to set a useful severity threshold for the condition. An important clinical distinction can also be made based on the DCPR for illness denial, which require the assessment of whether the patient has been provided with an adequate appraisal of the medical situation. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review indicates that patients with medical disorders experience and express illness denial in many forms and with varying degrees of severity. The findings suggest the need for a multidimensional assessment and provide challenging insights into the management of medical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari," University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari," University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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10
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Sonino N, Fava GA, Lucente M, Guidi J. Allostatic Load and Endocrine Disorders. Psychother Psychosom 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37253338 DOI: 10.1159/000530691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The building of life stress, well expressed by the concept of allostatic load, plays an important part in all phases of endocrine illness. Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of both stressful life events and chronic stress. When environmental challenges exceed the individual ability to cope, allostatic overload ensues. Assessment of allostatic load/overload by clinical measurements including indices and rating scales, in addition to biomarkers, offers a characterization of the person's psychosocial environment that is missing from current formulations. Consideration of allostatic load in endocrinology may shed light on a number of clinical issues: interpretation of abnormal hormone values that lack explanations; coping with the various phases of illness; maladaptive illness behavior; response to treatment; presence of residual symptoms; health-damaging lifestyle habits. Addressing allostatic load calls for innovative models of endocrine outpatients with multidisciplinary organization of care, extended time for the interview, focus on rehabilitation. We provide an overview on the mechanisms of allostatic load, how it can be assessed, its potential role in endocrine disturbances, and how its consideration may lead to a needed innovation in patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | | | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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11
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Fava GA, Guidi J. Clinical Characterization of Demoralization. Psychother Psychosom 2023:1-9. [PMID: 37231894 DOI: 10.1159/000530760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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12
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Fava GA. Patients as Health Producers: The Psychosomatic Foundation of Lifestyle Medicine. Psychother Psychosom 2023:1-6. [PMID: 36958303 DOI: 10.1159/000529953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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13
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Zhu B, Gostoli S, Benasi G, Patierno C, Petroni ML, Nuccitelli C, Marchesini G, Fava GA, Rafanelli C. Promoting Weight Loss and Psychological Well‐being in Patients with Obesity: A Sequential Combination of Behavioral Lifestyle Intervention and Well‐Being Therapy. Clin Psychol Psychother 2022; 30:422-435. [PMID: 36436883 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Behavioural lifestyle interventions focused on diet and physical activity are a cornerstone for the treatment of obesity. However, their effects vary substantially across individuals in terms of magnitude and durability. Personalized approaches that target psychological well-being may be promising to facilitate healthy behaviours and sustained weight loss. This preliminary study aimed to explore whether the sequential combination of behavioural lifestyle intervention (BLI) and well-being therapy (WBT) may result in more favourable outcomes than BLI alone in promoting weight loss (primary outcome) and improving psychological well-being, distress, dietary behaviours and physical activity (secondary outcomes). A total of 83 patients with obesity were randomly assigned to BLI/WBT (N = 38) or BLI group (N = 45). The BLI group received a 12-week behavioural weight loss programme, whereas the BLI/WBT group received the same programme followed by an additional 4-week WBT, adapted for group interventions. Data were collected at pretreatment (baseline, T1), at the end of BLI/WBT (T2), at 6-month (T3) and 12-month (T4) follow-ups. There was a significant weight loss in both treatment groups at T2, T3 and T4. The BLI/WBT group showed greater improvements in depressive symptoms at T3 and T4, in autonomy at T2, in personal growth at T4 and in global well-being at T4 compared with BLI group. WBT yielded no additional effect on weight loss. However, the secondary outcomes indicate that WBT may have enduring effects that reduce vulnerability to psychological distress in patients with obesity. In order to confirm these preliminary findings and explore whether a more intensive and individualized WBT can foster sustained weight loss, future studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boheng Zhu
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Sara Gostoli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Giada Benasi
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Medicine Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA
| | - Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Petroni
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS‐S. Orsola‐Malpighi Hospital University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Chiara Nuccitelli
- Unit of Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Dietetics, IRCCS‐S. Orsola‐Malpighi Hospital University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Giulio Marchesini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, IRCCS‐S. Orsola‐Malpighi Hospital University of Bologna Bologna Italy
| | - Giovanni A. Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo State University of New York Buffalo NY USA
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari” University of Bologna Bologna Italy
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14
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Fava GA. Clinimetric Integration of Diagnostic Criteria for a Personalized Psychiatry. Psychother Psychosom 2022; 91:373-381. [PMID: 36349784 DOI: 10.1159/000527493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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15
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Benasi G, Gostoli S, Zhu B, Offidani E, Artin MG, Gagliardi L, Rignanese G, Sassi G, Fava GA, Rafanelli C. Well-Being Therapy and Lifestyle Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychosom Med 2022; 84:1041-1049. [PMID: 36346956 DOI: 10.1097/psy.0000000000001115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluates the preliminary efficacy of a 4-month well-being therapy (WBT) and lifestyle intervention among adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity. METHODS Fifty-eight patients were recruited from two outpatient clinics and randomized to receive the WBT-lifestyle intervention or the lifestyle intervention alone. Data were collected at baseline (T0), immediate postintervention (T1), 6-month follow-up (T2), and 12-month follow-up (T3). Primary efficacy outcomes included changes in weight, psychological distress, and well-being, whereas secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in lifestyle and physiological parameters. RESULTS Compared with the lifestyle-alone intervention, the WBT-lifestyle intervention showed greater improvements in depression (p = .009, d = -0.6), hostility (p = .018, d = -0.6), and personal growth (p = .026, d = 0.5) at T1, in self-reported physical activity at T2 (p = .013, d = 0.7) and T3 (p = .040, d = 0.5), and in triglycerides (p = .019, d = -1.12) at T3. There were no differences between treatment groups in weight and other physiological parameters. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that WBT may be a valuable addition to lifestyle interventions for improving short-term psychological outcomes and promoting long-term healthy changes in physical activity, with a potential impact on physiological outcomes.Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03609463.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Benasi
- From the Department of Medicine, Division of General Medicine (Benasi), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York; Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari"(Benasi, Gostoli, Zhu, Rafanelli), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Zhu), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; Department of Medicine (Offidani), Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York; Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (Artin), Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, New York; Endocrinologia e Malattie Metaboliche (Gagliardi), Ospedale Maurizio Bufalini, Cesena, Italy; Endocrinologia, Azienda Ospedaliera di Cremona (Rignanese, Sassi), Ospedale Oglio Po, Casalmaggiore CR, Italy; and Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo (Fava), State University of New York, Buffalo, New York
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Abstract
Staging has been increasingly used in unipolar depression since its introduction in the nineties. Several models are available, but their differential features and implications are not completely clear. We systematically reviewed: (a) staging models of longitudinal development of unipolar depression; (b) staging models of treatment-resistant unipolar depression; (c) their applications. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science were examined according to PRISMA guidelines from inception to December 2021. Search terms were: 'stage/staging', combined using the Boolean 'AND' operator with 'psychiatric disorder/mental disorder/depressive/mood disorder'. A total of 169 studies were identified for inclusion: 18 described staging models or applications, 151 described treatment-resistant staging models or applications. Staging models of longitudinal development were found to play a key role in formulating sequential treatment, with particular reference to the use of psychotherapy after pharmacotherapy. Staging methods based on treatment resistance played a crucial role in setting entry criteria for randomized clinical trials and neurobiological investigations. Staging is part of clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements, and its role can be enhanced by its association with other clinimetric strategies, such as repeated assessments, organization of problematic areas, and evaluation of phenomena that may affect responsiveness. In research, it may allow to identify more homogeneous populations in terms of treatment history that may diminish the likelihood of spurious results in comparisons. In clinical practice, the use of staging in a clinimetric perspective allows clinicians to make full use of the information that is available for an individual patient at a specific time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Clinical Pharmacopsychology Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, New York, USA
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Fava GA. An Editor's Journey Ends, but the Journal's Mission Continues. Psychother Psychosom 2022; 91:218-226. [PMID: 35724641 DOI: 10.1159/000524654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, New York, USA
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18
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Guidi J, Fava GA. The Clinical Science of Euthymia: A Conceptual Map. Psychother Psychosom 2022; 91:156-167. [PMID: 35421862 DOI: 10.1159/000524279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Euthymia is a trans-diagnostic construct characterized by lack of mood disturbances; presence of positive affect; balance of psychological well-being dimensions, flexibility, consistency, and resistance to stress. The aim of this critical review is to draw a conceptual map of euthymia. Relationships with other constructs, continuum between euthymia and dysthymia with discomfort as an intermediate area, associations with lifestyle, clinimetric assessment, role of psychotherapeutic interventions, establishment of therapeutic targets, and neurobiological mechanisms are discussed. The model is based on the bipolar nature of well-being dimensions. Euthymia means using allostasis optimally and maintaining a healthy balance that promotes positive aspects of brain and body health through health-promoting behaviors. It may provide a framework for a renewed definition of recovery, for measuring treatment outcome and for targeting interventions, including the sequential administration of therapeutic components. Clinical assessment requires a clinimetric approach encompassing a broad range of aspects, such as allostatic load and lifestyle behaviors, all interacting with each other and contributing to the euthymia/dysthymia balance. Clinimetric indices for assessing euthymia (the Clinical Interview for Euthymia and the Euthymia Scale) and related constructs (the Clinical Interview for Dysthymia and the Semi-Structured Interview for the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research) are presented here. Well-Being Therapy, a psychotherapeutic strategy specifically aimed at pursuing euthymia, relies on self-observation of well-being episodes using a structured diary as a distinct therapeutic ingredient. The clinical science of euthymia may unravel innovative approaches to assessment and treatment of psychiatric and medical disorders, according to a unitary conceptual framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Benasi G, Fava GA, Guidi J. Prodromal Symptoms in Depression: A Systematic Review. Psychother Psychosom 2022; 90:365-372. [PMID: 34350890 DOI: 10.1159/000517953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Appraisal of prodromal symptoms of unipolar depression may complement the traditional cross-sectional approach and provide a longitudinal perspective, according to a staging model of the illness. OBJECTIVE To provide an updated systematic review of clinical studies concerned with prodromal symptoms of unipolar depression, according to PRISMA guidelines. METHODS Keyword searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Longitudinal studies on prodromal symptoms and signs in adult patients primarily diagnosed with unipolar depression were selected. Findings were examined separately according to study design (i.e., retrospective or prospective). RESULTS Twenty-five studies met the criteria for inclusion in this systematic review. Findings indicate that a distinct prodromal symptomatology - commonly characterized by anxiety, tension, irritability, and somatic complaints - exists before the onset of unipolar depression. The duration of the prodromal phase was highly variable across studies, ranging from less than a month to several years. Prodromal symptoms profile and duration were consistent within individuals across depressive episodes. There was a close relationship between prodromal and residual symptoms of the same depressive episode. CONCLUSIONS The present systematic review addresses an important, and yet relatively neglected, clinical issue that deserves further investigation and may be of immediate practical value. The findings provide challenging insights into the pathogenesis and course of unipolar depression, which may result in more timely and effective treatment of recurrences. The definition of a prodromal phase in depression would benefit from the joint use of symptom identification, biomarkers, and neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Benasi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari," University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari," University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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21
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Cosci F, Fava GA. Prescribing Pharmacotherapy for Major Depressive Disorder: How Does a Clinician Decide? Biomed Hub 2021; 6:118-121. [PMID: 34950673 PMCID: PMC8647051 DOI: 10.1159/000519656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Clinical Pharmacopsychology Laboratory, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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22
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Guidi J, Lucente M, Sonino N, Fava GA. Allostatic Load and Its Impact on Health: A Systematic Review. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 90:11-27. [PMID: 32799204 DOI: 10.1159/000510696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 363] [Impact Index Per Article: 121.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Allostatic load refers to the cumulative burden of chronic stress and life events. It involves the interaction of different physiological systems at varying degrees of activity. When environmental challenges exceed the individual ability to cope, then allostatic overload ensues. Allostatic load is identified by the use of biomarkers and clinical criteria. OBJECTIVE To summarize the current knowledge on allostatic load and overload and its clinical implications based on a systematic review of the literature. METHODS PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to December 2019. A manual search of the literature was also performed, and reference lists of the retrieved articles were examined.We considered only studies in which allostatic load or overload were adequately described and assessed in either clinical or non-clinical adult populations. RESULTS A total of 267 original investigations were included. They encompassed general population studies, as well as clinical studies on consequences of allostatic load/overload on both physical and mental health across a variety of settings. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that allostatic load and overload are associated with poorer health outcomes. Assessment of allostatic load provides support to the understanding of psychosocial determinants of health and lifestyle medicine. An integrated approach that includes both biological markers and clinimetric criteria is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
| | | | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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23
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Cosci F, Fava GA. When Anxiety and Depression Coexist: The Role of Differential Diagnosis Using Clinimetric Criteria. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 90:308-317. [PMID: 34344013 DOI: 10.1159/000517518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Depressive and anxiety disorders are frequently associated. Depression may be a complication of anxiety and anxiety can complicate depression. The nature of their relationship has been a source of controversy. Reviews generally base their conclusions on randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses that refer to the average patient and often clash with the variety of clinical presentations that may occur when anxiety and depression coexist. The aim of this review was to examine the literature according to profiling of subgroups of patients based on clinimetric criteria, in line with the recently developed concept of medicine-based evidence. We critically reviewed the literature pertaining to the specific presentations of anxiety and depression, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment approach. The following prototypic cases were presented: depression secondary to an active anxiety disorder, depression in patients with anxiety disorders under treatment, anxious depression, anxiety as a residual component of depression, and demoralization secondary to anxiety disorder. We argue that the selection of treatment when anxiety and depression coexist should take into account the modalities of presentation and be filtered by clinical judgment. Very different indications may ensue when the literature is examined according to this perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Carrozzino D, Patierno C, Guidi J, Berrocal Montiel C, Cao J, Charlson ME, Christensen KS, Concato J, De Las Cuevas C, de Leon J, Eöry A, Fleck MP, Furukawa TA, Horwitz RI, Nierenberg AA, Rafanelli C, Wang H, Wise TN, Sonino N, Fava GA. Clinimetric Criteria for Patient-Reported Outcome Measures. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 90:222-232. [PMID: 34038901 DOI: 10.1159/000516599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are self-rated scales and indices developed to improve the detection of the patients' subjective experience. Given that a considerable number of PROMs are available, it is important to evaluate their validity and usefulness in a specific research or clinical setting. Published guidelines, based on psychometric criteria, do not fit in with the complexity of clinical challenges, because of their quest for homogeneity of components and inadequate attention to sensitivity. Psychometric theory has stifled the field and led to the routine use of scales widely accepted yet with a history of poor performance. Clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements, may provide a more suitable conceptual and methodological framework. The aims of this paper are to outline the major limitations of the psychometric model and to provide criteria for clinimetric patient-reported outcome measures (CLIPROMs). The characteristics related to reliability, sensitivity, validity, and clinical utility of instruments are critically reviewed, with particular reference to the differences between clinimetric and psychometric approaches. Of note is the fact that PROMs, rating scales, and indices developed according to psychometric criteria may display relevant clinimetric properties. The present paper underpins the importance of the clini-metric methodology in choosing the appropriate PROMs. CLIPROM criteria may also guide the development of new indices and the validation of existing PROMs to be employed in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychology Renzo Canestrari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology Renzo Canestrari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology Renzo Canestrari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carmen Berrocal Montiel
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jianxin Cao
- Changzhou First People's Hospital and Psychosomatic Gastroenterology Institute, Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Mary E Charlson
- Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kaj Sparle Christensen
- Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - John Concato
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.,Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Carlos De Las Cuevas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Universidad de La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose de Leon
- University of Kentucky Mental Health Research Center at Eastern State Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Ajandek Eöry
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcelo Pio Fleck
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Toshi A Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behavior, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ralph I Horwitz
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Andrew A Nierenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology Renzo Canestrari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Hongxing Wang
- Division of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatics, Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Beijing Psychosomatic Disease Consultation Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Thomas N Wise
- Department of Psychiatry, Inova Health Systems, Falls Church, Virginia, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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25
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Rafanelli C, Gostoli S, Buzzichelli S, Guidi J, Sirri L, Gallo P, Marzola E, Bergerone S, De Ferrari GM, Roncuzzi R, Di Pasquale G, Abbate-Daga G, Fava GA. Sequential Combination of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment and Well-Being Therapy in Depressed Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Randomized Controlled Trial (TREATED-ACS Study). Psychother Psychosom 2021; 89:345-356. [PMID: 32791501 DOI: 10.1159/000510006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of psychotherapeutic interventions have addressed depression and demoralization associated with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The present trial introduces psychological well-being, an increasingly recognized factor in cardiovascular health, as a therapeutic target. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to determine whether the sequential combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and well-being therapy (WBT) may yield more favorable outcomes than an active control group (clinical management; CM) and to identify subgroups of patients at greater risk for cardiac negative outcomes. METHODS This multicenter RCT comparedCBT/WBT sequential combination versus CM, with up to 30 months of follow-up. One hundred consecutive depressed and/or demoralized patients (out of 740 initially screened by cardiologists after a first episode of ACS) were randomized to CBT/WBT associated with lifestyle suggestions (n = 50) and CM (n = 50). The main outcome measures included: severity of depressive symptoms according to the Clinical Interview for Depression, changes in subclinical psychological distress, well-being, and biomarkers, and medical complications and events. RESULTS CBT/WBT sequential combination was associated with a significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to CM. In both groups, the benefits persisted at follow-up, even though the differences faded. Treatment was also related to a significant amelioration of biomarkers (platelet count, HDL, and D-dimer), whereas the 2 groups showed similar frequencies of adverse cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS Addressing psychological well-being in the psychotherapeutic approach to ACS patients with depressive symptoms was found to entail important clinical benefits. It is argued that lifestyle changes geared toward cardiovascular health may be facilitated by a personalized approach that targets well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
| | - Sara Gostoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Buzzichelli
- Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Sirri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pamela Gallo
- Division of Cardiology, Maggiore Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrica Marzola
- Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Serena Bergerone
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gaetano Maria De Ferrari
- Division of Cardiology, Internal Medicine Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Renzo Roncuzzi
- Division of Cardiology, Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Abbate-Daga
- Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Fava GA, Cosci F, Guidi J, Rafanelli C. The Deceptive Manifestations of Treatment Resistance in Depression: A New Look at the Problem. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 89:265-273. [PMID: 32325457 DOI: 10.1159/000507227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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27
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Fava GA, Guidi J. When the Label Does Not Match the Content of a Trial: "Well-Being Therapy" in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Commentary on Radstaak et al. (2020). J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:467-469. [PMID: 33450074 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Radstaak, Hüning, and Bohlmeijer (2020) reported on a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of well-being therapy (WBT) compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in the treatment of residual posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. No significant differences emerged between treatment conditions. However, our view is that what the authors labeled as WBT did not match the manualized psychotherapeutic strategy, and what was defined as TAU was actually an active control group. Further methodological limitations hinder the interpretation of results and make it difficult to draw conclusions from the study. Radstaak et al. (2020) deserve credit for addressing the vexing and neglected problem of residual symptoms in PTSD. However, the role of WBT in PTSD treatment still needs to be explored via an effectively designed RCT. Given that WBT does not require exposure to a patient's index traumatic event as a means of alleviating PTSD symptoms, WBT may represent a promising alternative to current treatments of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy
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28
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Carrozzino D, Patierno C, Fava GA, Guidi J. The Hamilton Rating Scales for Depression: A Critical Review of Clinimetric Properties of Different Versions. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 89:133-150. [PMID: 32289809 DOI: 10.1159/000506879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The format of the original Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) was unstructured: only general instructions were provided for rating individual items. Over the years, a number of modified versions of the HAM-D have been proposed. They differ not only in the number of items, but also in modalities of administration. Structured versions, including item definitions, anchor points and semi-structured or structured interview questions, were developed. This comprehensive review was conducted to examine the clinimetric properties of the different versions of the HAM-D. The aim was to identify the HAM-D versions that best display the clinimetric properties of reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change. The search was conducted on MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, and yielded a total of 35,473 citations, but only the most representative studies were included. The structured versions of the HAM-D were found to display the highest inter-rater and test-retest reliability. The Clinical Interview for Depression and the 6-item HAM-D showed the highest sensitivity in differentiating active treatment from placebo. The findings indicate that the HAM-D is a valid and sensitive clinimetric index, which should not be discarded in view of obsolete and not clinically relevant psychometric criteria. The HAM-D, however, requires an informed use: unstructured forms should be avoided and the type of HAM-D version that is selected should be specified in the registration of the study protocol and in the methods of the trial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chiara Patierno
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
We propose that discussions of benzodiazepines in the current psychiatric literature have become negatively biased and have strayed from the scientific evidence base. We advocate returning to the evidence in discussing benzodiazepines and adhering to clear definitions and conceptual rigour in commentary about them.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Balon
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Nepean Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard Shader
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna; and Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Antonio E Nardi
- Institute of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carl Salzman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Italy; and Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, New York, USA
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE The sequential model emerged from the awareness that the persistence of residual symptoms and the frequent occurrence of psychiatric comorbidity were both associated with poor long-term outcome of major depressive disorder (MDD). OBJECTIVE To conduct an updated meta-analysis to examine the association of the sequential combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy with reduced risk of relapse and recurrence in MDD. DATA SOURCES Keyword searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception of each database through November 2019. Reference lists from relevant studies were examined using the following keywords: sequential treatment, drugs and psychotherapy, combined treatment, continuation or maintenance, relapse or recurrence and prevention, and depress* or major depress*, selecting adults and randomized controlled trials as additional limits. Authors of selected articles were contacted if needed. STUDY SELECTION Randomized clinical trials examining the effectiveness of the sequential use of psychotherapy following response to acute-phase pharmacotherapy in the treatment of adult remitted patients with MDD were selected independently by 2 reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The methods used fulfilled the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Data extraction and methodologic quality assessment were conducted independently by the reviewers. Examination of the pooled results was performed based on the random-effects model. Heterogeneity between study results and likelihood of significant publication bias were assessed. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regressions were also run. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome measures were relapse or recurrence rates of MDD, as defined by study investigators, at the longest available follow-up. RESULTS Seventeen randomized clinical trials met criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis, with 1 study yielding 2 comparisons (2283 patients overall, with 1208 patients in a sequential treatment arm and 1075 in a control arm). The pooled risk ratio for relapse/recurrence of MDD was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.74-0.94), suggesting a relative advantage in preventing relapse/recurrence for the sequential combination of treatments compared with control conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that the sequential integration of psychotherapy following response to acute-phase pharmacotherapy, alone or combined with antidepressant medication, was associated with reduced risk of relapse and recurrence in MDD. The preventive value of the sequential strategy relies on abatement of residual symptoms and/or increase in psychological well-being. The steps for implementing the sequential approach in remitted patients with recurrent MDD are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A. Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo
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Benasi G, Fava GA, Rafanelli C. Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire, a Highly Sensitive Patient-Reported Outcome Measure: Systematic Review of Clinimetric Properties. Psychother Psychosom 2021; 89:74-89. [PMID: 32050199 DOI: 10.1159/000506110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are of increasing importance in clinical medicine. However, their evaluation by classic psychometric methods carries considerable limitations. The clinimetric approach provides a viable framework for their assessment. OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper was to provide a systematic review of clinimetric properties of the Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), a simple, self-rated instrument for the assessment of psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, hostility, and somatization) and well-being (contentment, relaxation, friendliness, and physical well-being). METHODS The PRISMA guidelines were used. Electronic databases were searched from inception up to March 2019. Only original research articles, published in English, reporting data about the clinimetric properties of the SQ, were included. RESULTS A total of 284 studies was selected. The SQ has been used in populations of adults, adolescents, and older individuals. The scale significantly discriminated between subgroups of subjects in both clinical and nonclinical settings, and differentiated medical and psychiatric patients from healthy controls. In longitudinal studies and in controlled pharmacological and psychotherapy trials, it was highly sensitive to symptoms and well-being changes and discriminated between the effects of psychotropic drugs and placebo. CONCLUSIONS The SQ is a highly sensitive clinimetric index. It may yield clinical information that similar scales would fail to provide and has a unique position among the PROs that are available. Its use in clinical trials is strongly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Benasi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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Guidi J, Fava GA. The emerging role of euthymia in psychotherapy research and practice. Clin Psychol Rev 2020; 82:101941. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Fava GA. The Decline of Pluralism in Medicine: Dissent Is Welcome. Psychother Psychosom 2020; 89:1-5. [PMID: 31838479 DOI: 10.1159/000505085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA,
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35
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA,
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36
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Maj M, Stein DJ, Parker G, Zimmerman M, Fava GA, De Hert M, Demyttenaere K, McIntyre RS, Widiger T, Wittchen HU. The clinical characterization of the adult patient with depression aimed at personalization of management. World Psychiatry 2020; 19:269-293. [PMID: 32931110 PMCID: PMC7491646 DOI: 10.1002/wps.20771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is widely acknowledged to be a heterogeneous entity, and the need to further characterize the individual patient who has received this diagnosis in order to personalize the management plan has been repeatedly emphasized. However, the research evidence that should guide this personalization is at present fragmentary, and the selection of treatment is usually based on the clinician's and/or the patient's preference and on safety issues, in a trial-and-error fashion, paying little attention to the particular features of the specific case. This may be one of the reasons why the majority of patients with a diagnosis of depression do not achieve remission with the first treatment they receive. The predominant pessimism about the actual feasibility of the personalization of treatment of depression in routine clinical practice has recently been tempered by some secondary analyses of databases from clinical trials, using approaches such as individual patient data meta-analysis and machine learning, which indicate that some variables may indeed contribute to the identification of patients who are likely to respond differently to various antidepressant drugs or to antidepressant medication vs. specific psychotherapies. The need to develop decision support tools guiding the personalization of treatment of depression has been recently reaffirmed, and the point made that these tools should be developed through large observational studies using a comprehensive battery of self-report and clinical measures. The present paper aims to describe systematically the salient domains that should be considered in this effort to personalize depression treatment. For each domain, the available research evidence is summarized, and the relevant assessment instruments are reviewed, with special attention to their suitability for use in routine clinical practice, also in view of their possible inclusion in the above-mentioned comprehensive battery of measures. The main unmet needs that research should address in this area are emphasized. Where the available evidence allows providing the clinician with specific advice that can already be used today to make the management of depression more personalized, this advice is highlighted. Indeed, some sections of the paper, such as those on neurocognition and on physical comorbidities, indicate that the modern management of depression is becoming increasingly complex, with several components other than simply the choice of an antidepressant and/or a psychotherapy, some of which can already be reliably personalized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Maj
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Dan J Stein
- South African Medical Research Council Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gordon Parker
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mark Zimmerman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Marc De Hert
- University Psychiatric Centre KU Leuven, Kortenberg, Belgium
- KU Leuven Department of Neurosciences, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Demyttenaere
- University Psychiatric Centre, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thomas Widiger
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Hans-Ulrich Wittchen
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilans Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
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37
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Fava GA, Tomba E, Brakemeier EL, Carrozzino D, Cosci F, Eőry A, Leonardi T, Schamong I, Guidi J. Reply to Alacreu-Crespo et al. Psychother Psychosom 2020; 89:324-325. [PMID: 32272476 DOI: 10.1159/000507337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eva-Lotta Brakemeier
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ajándék Eőry
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tommaso Leonardi
- Clinical Trials Network and Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isabel Schamong
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Phillips University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mansueto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni A. Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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39
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Fava GA, Tomba E, Brakemeier EL, Carrozzino D, Cosci F, Eöry A, Leonardi T, Schamong I, Guidi J. Mental Pain as a Transdiagnostic Patient-Reported Outcome Measure. Psychother Psychosom 2020; 88:341-349. [PMID: 31665739 DOI: 10.1159/000504024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) refer to any report coming directly from patients about how they function or feel in relation to a health condition or its therapy. PROs have been applied in medicine for the assessment of the impact of clinical phenomena. Self-report scales and procedures for assessing physical pain in adults have been developed and used in clinical trials. However, insufficient attention has been dedicated to the assessment of mental pain. The aim of this paper is to outline the implications that assessment of mental pain may entail in psychiatry and medicine, with particular reference to a clinimetric index. A simple 10-item self-rating questionnaire, the Mental Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), encompasses the specific clinical features of mental pain and shows good clinimetric properties (i.e., sensitivity, discriminant and incremental validity). The preliminary data suggest that the MPQ may qualify as a PRO measure to be included in clinical trials. Assessment of mental pain may have important clinical implications in intervention research, both in psychopharmacology and psychotherapy. The transdiagnostic features of mental pain are supported by its association with a number of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, as well as borderline personality disorder. Further, addressing mental pain may be an important pathway to prevent and diminish the opioid epidemic. The data summarized here indicate that mental pain can be incorporated into current psychiatric assessment and included as a PRO measure in treatment outcome studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eva-Lotta Brakemeier
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Universitat Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.,Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychological, Health and Territorial Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ajándék Eöry
- Department of Family Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tommaso Leonardi
- Clinical Trials Network and Institute (CTNI), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isabel Schamong
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy and Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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40
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Balon R, Starcevic V, Silberman E, Cosci F, Dubovsky S, Fava GA, Nardi AE, Rickels K, Salzman C, Shader RI, Sonino N. The rise and fall and rise of benzodiazepines: a return of the stigmatized and repressed. Braz J Psychiatry 2020; 42:243-244. [PMID: 32159714 PMCID: PMC7236156 DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2019-0773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Balon
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences and Anesthesiology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Vladan Starcevic
- Discipline of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Medical School, Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Edward Silberman
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Steven Dubovsky
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Antonio E Nardi
- Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Karl Rickels
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carl Salzman
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard I Shader
- Center for the Study of Drug Development, Department of Immunology, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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41
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Fava GA, Rafanelli C. Iatrogenic Factors in Psychopathology. Psychother Psychosom 2020; 88:129-140. [PMID: 31085917 DOI: 10.1159/000500151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Chiara Rafanelli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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42
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Abstract
Psychiatrists often consider the positive characteristics displayed by a patient in their clinical judgment, yet current assessment and treatment strategies are shifted on the side of psychological dysfunction. Euthymia is a transdiagnostic construct referring to the presence of positive affects and psychological well-being, i.e., balance and integration of psychic forces (flexibility), a unifying outlook on life which guides actions and feelings for shaping future accordingly (consistency), and resistance to stress (resilience and tolerance to anxiety or frustration). There is increasing evidence that the evaluation of euthymia and its components has major clinical implications. Specific instruments (clinical interviews and questionnaires) may be included in a clinimetric assessment strategy encompassing macro-analysis and staging. The pursuit of euthymia cannot be conceived as a therapeutic intervention for specific mental disorders, but as a transdiagnostic strategy to be incorporated in an individualized therapeutic plan. A number of psychotherapeutic techniques aiming to enhance positive affects and psychological well-being (such as well-being therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy) have been developed and validated in randomized controlled clinical trials. The findings indicate that flourishing and resilience can be promoted by specific interventions leading to a positive evaluation of one's self, a sense of continuing growth and development, the belief that life is purposeful and meaningful, satisfaction with one's relations with others, the capacity to manage effectively one's life, and a sense of self-determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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43
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Fava GA. May antidepressant drugs worsen the conditions they are supposed to treat? The clinical foundations of the oppositional model of tolerance. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2020; 10:2045125320970325. [PMID: 33224471 PMCID: PMC7649913 DOI: 10.1177/2045125320970325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years there has been a considerable debate on antidepressant drugs. Continued drug treatment with antidepressant medications may stimulate processes that run counter to the initial acute effects of a drug. The oppositional model of tolerance may explain loss of treatment efficacy during maintenance treatment and the fact that some side effects tend to occur only after a certain time. These processes may also direct the illness into a treatment-unresponsive course, including manifestations of bipolar disorder or paradoxical reactions. When drug treatment ends, oppositional processes no longer encounter resistance, resulting in potential onset of new withdrawal symptoms, persistent post-withdrawal disorders, hypomania, and resistance to treatment if it is reinstituted. In all these cases, antidepressant medications may constitute a form of iatrogenic comorbidity, which increases chronicity and vulnerability to depressive episodes. Antidepressant medications are essential drugs for the treatment of major depressive episodes. They are less likely, however, to provide protection for relapse prevention. Current prescription practices need to be reformulated in light of consideration of vulnerabilities and adverse effects of treatment. The oppositional model of tolerance provides a conceptual framework for weighing all these elements in the individual case. The model does not appear to apply to all patients who undergo treatment with AD, but only to a part of them. Studying the variables that are associated with such occurrence in certain patients and not in others would be one of the most important tasks of current therapeutic research. Current diagnostic systems in psychiatry do not consider the iatrogenic components of psychopathology, and can be applied to only patients who are drug free. They are suited for a patient who no longer exists: most of the cases that are seen in psychiatric clinical practice receive psychotropic drugs and such treatment is likely to affect prognosis and treatment choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, NY 14215, USA
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44
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Abstract
Withdrawal symptoms commonly occur during tapering and/or after discontinuation of antidepressant drugs, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Withdrawal symptomatology does not necessarily subside within a few weeks and may be associated with other manifestations of behavioral toxicity (loss of treatment efficacy, refractoriness, switch into mania/hypomania, or paradoxical reactions). The oppositional model of tolerance provides a pathophysiologic basis for understanding and managing withdrawal syndromes. Reintroducing the antidepressant that was initially used or switching from one antidepressant to another to suppress symptomatology, as suggested by current guidelines, may actually aggravate the state of behavioral toxicity and be detrimental in the long run. Alternative strategies that do not encompass continuation of antidepressant treatment are required, but there is currently lack of adequate research for guiding the clinical approach. Some tentative suggestions are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, Erie County Medical Center, 462 Grider St, Buffalo, NY 14215. .,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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45
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo P Fleck
- Departamento de Psiquiatria e Medicina Legal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Psicologiche, della Salute e del Territorio, Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti e Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni A Fava
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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46
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Fava GA, McEwen BS, Guidi J, Gostoli S, Offidani E, Sonino N. Clinical characterization of allostatic overload. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 108:94-101. [PMID: 31252304 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Allostatic load reflects the cumulative effects of stressful experiences in daily life and may lead to disease over time. When the cost of chronic exposure to fluctuating or heightened neural and systemic physiologic responses exceeds the coping resources of an individual, this is referred to as "toxic stress" and allostatic overload ensues. Its determination has initially relied on measurements of an interacting network of biomarkers. More recently, clinical criteria for the determination of allostatic overload, that provide information on the underlying individual experiential causes, have been developed and used in a number of investigations. These clinimetric tools can increase the number of people screened, while putting the use of biomarkers in a psychosocial context. The criteria allow the personalization of interventions to prevent or decrease the negative impact of toxic stress on health, with particular reference to lifestyle modifications and cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jenny Guidi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Gostoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Emanuela Offidani
- Department of Behavioral Science and Education, Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA
| | - Nicoletta Sonino
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA; Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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47
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Fava GA, Carrozzino D, Lindberg L, Tomba E. Reply to the Letter to the Editor: "Is A Single-Item Measure of Self-Rated Mental Health Useful from a Clinimetric Perspective?". Psychother Psychosom 2019; 88:179. [PMID: 30933947 DOI: 10.1159/000497737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, .,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA,
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lone Lindberg
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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48
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo (Fava); Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (Cosci)
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo (Fava); Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy (Cosci)
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49
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Fava GA, Cosci F, Berrocal Montiel C, Tomba E. The Journal's Mission. Psychother Psychosom 2019; 88:1-4. [PMID: 30677767 DOI: 10.1159/000495967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, .,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA,
| | - Fiammetta Cosci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Berrocal Montiel
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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50
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Fava GA, Carrozzino D, Lindberg L, Tomba E. The Clinimetric Approach to Psychological Assessment: A Tribute to Per Bech, MD (1942-2018). Psychother Psychosom 2019; 87:321-326. [PMID: 30269137 DOI: 10.1159/000493746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A Fava
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, .,Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York,
| | - Danilo Carrozzino
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Territorial Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Lone Lindberg
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - Elena Tomba
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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