Psychopathological characterization of morbid obese patients proposed for bariatric surgery

Abstract

Introduction:

Obesity is considered an important Public Health problem, due to his continuous growing and terrible medical and psychological consequences. In morbid obesity this problems are even more complicated and surgery is sometimes the only solution. Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: “weight” and “treatment.” Weight reduction may be life saving for patients with extreme obesity, for whom no other satisfactory long term therapy currently exists. The patients proposed for this procedure are always submitted to psychiatry avaliation.

Objectives:

Psychopathological characterization of morbid obese patients proposed for bariatric surgery.

Population and Methods

We studied 60 morbid obese outpatients of the Psychiatry Department of our Hospital, proposed for bariatric surgery. Their age ranged between 18 and 60 years. Informed Consent was obtained from all participants. We evaluated patients trough the following sequence: clinical interview in order to obtain clinical and social variables; EDI, SCL 90-R, MOS SF-36, and impulsiveness and body image scales.

Results:

The study is now under statistically evaluation. The authors enhance the crucial role of Psychiatry in the multidisciplinary approach of morbid obese patients.