Recent research on Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) highlights a high frequency of disordered eating behaviors and Body Mass Index (BMI), especially in the hypermobile subtype. These problems might be secondary to EDS symptoms and comorbidities such as gastrointestinal (GI) problems, food allergies and oral pain, but also to psychological factors. To test this hypothesis, we explored the above-mentioned somatic and psychological features and their connexions with eating behavioural outcomes and BMI. Women with self-reported EDS (n = 121) completed an online survey assessing GI problems, food allergies, oral pain, somatosensory amplification, painful and fearful eating, eating avoidance and restriction, body satisfaction, and BMI. Path Analysis model was performed to examine the relationships among the variables. Significant relationships between GI problems and food allergies (B = 2.36, p = 0.035), fearful eating (B = 0.10, p = 0.043), painful eating (B = 0.02, p = 0.001) and somatosensory amplification (B = 1.01, p < 0.001) were observed. Also, positive relationships between painful and fearful eating (B = 0.76, p < 0.001), and fearful and avoidant eating (B = 0.78, p < 0.001). These results support the idea that certain somatic symptoms common in EDS would lead to fear and avoidant responses to food. Further research is needed to better understand the link and directionality between abnormal connective tissue and disordered eating behaviors. Evidence obtained from observational-descriptive studies, such as case series, individual case reports, and descriptive cross-sectional studies.
Objectives. - Crohn's disease is often declared in early adulthood, between 15 and 30 years old, a period marked by important psychosocial transitions. Yet, the diagnosis' impact during this sensitive developmental period remains little explored. The aim was to assess whether self-perception and adjustment to illness differ depending on age (emerging adults versus young adults) and time since diagnosis (< 2 years vs > 2 years), and explore associations between self-perception, clinical and psychosocial variables. Method. - In this cross-sectional study, participants were emerging adults (18-25 years old) and young adults (26-35 years old) with Crohn's disease, recruited via an association and communities of patients online. They answered an online survey assessing their disease activity, illness perception, coping strategies, social support and self-perception. Results. - Fifty-two participants (18-35 years old) were included. Mann-Whitney's U test showed that compared to those diagnosed for over two years, those recently diagnosed perceive symptoms as more severe and frequent, with a greater emotional impact, and rely more on catastrophizing and distraction when coping with pain. Multiple regressions showed those reporting higher emo- tional response to symptoms, less perceived guidance and support in their self-esteem, present poorer self-worth. Those relying more on catastrophizing, less on ignorance, reporting severe joint pain and less concern about their disease present an altered perception of their appearance. Conclusion. - Crohn's disease may have a significant impact on young adults, particularly the first years after diagnosis. Trans- actional and self-regulation variables seem to essentially be associated with self-perception's outcomes. Interventions focus- ing on illness representations, pain management and acceptance of uncertainty may allow a better integration of the disease in their life and self-perception. (c) 2024 Societe Franc,aise de Psychologie. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
Suicide is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, with increasing evidence highlighting the link between physical pain and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This meta-analysis examines suicide-related outcomes among individuals with and without physical pain. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases, including 91 studies in the review and 88 in the meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 3.7). The findings revealed that people experiencing physical pain were significantly more likely to have suicide-related outcomes than those without pain. The strongest associations were found for lifetime death wish (OR = 2.10), current suicidal ideation (OR = 1.93), and lifetime suicide attempts (OR = 1.94). Among adolescents, self-harm was notably higher among those with pain, while adults showed a higher risk of lifetime suicide attempts and suicide death. In older adults, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were more strongly linked to pain. Females had higher odds of suicidal ideation compared to males. Specific painful conditions, like fibromyalgia, abdominal pain, and migraines, were also linked to increased suicide risk. Limitations include high heterogeneity and lack of data on some suicide-related outcomes. Pain is a significant risk factor for suicidality across all ages and in specific populations, as conceptualized by ideation-to-action framework suicide models.
Increasing research suggests a link between autism spectrum disorders and joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders, and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. However, no study systematically examined the available literature about the relationship between these conditions. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies (a) examining the link between autism, joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and (b) reporting the frequency of autism spectrum disorders in people with joint hypermobility, hypermobility spectrum disorders or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or vice versa. Prevalence meta-analyses were performed. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. Twelve studies explored joint hypermobility/hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in autistic people. Six explored autism spectrum disorders/autistic traits in people with hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Two studies examined autism spectrum disorders in relatives of patients with hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and two explored autistic traits and joint hypermobility in non-clinical samples. Out of 15 studies examining the association between autism spectrum disorders/autistic traits and joint hypermobility/hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 12 reported significant results. The overall prevalence of joint hypermobility in autistic individuals was 22.3%, but it was higher (31%) when only studies assessing joint hypermobility clinically (excluding self-reports) were considered. The overall prevalence of hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in autistic samples was 27.9%, but 39% if hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were assessed clinically. Despite the heterogeneity of studies, these results suggest an association between autism and joint hypermobility/hypermobility spectrum disorders/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome that should be confirmed in further research.Lay abstractIncreasing research suggests a link between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and joint hypermobility (JH), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS). However, no study systematically examined the available literature about the relationship between these conditions. To fill this gap, we conducted a systematic literature search to identify studies: (a) examining the link between autism, JH, HSD, or EDS, and (b) reporting the frequency of ASD in people with JH, HSD, or EDS, or vice versa. Prevalence meta-analyses were performed. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. Twelve studies explored JH/HSD/EDS in autistic people. Six explored ASD/autistic traits in people with HSD/EDS. Two studies examined ASD in relatives of patients with HSD/EDS, and two explored autistic traits and JH in non-clinical samples. Out of 15 studies examining the association between ASD/autistic traits and JH/HSD/EDS, 12 reported significant results. The overall prevalence of JH in autistic individuals was 22.3%, but it was higher (31%) when only studies assessing JH clinically (excluding self-reports) were considered. The overall prevalence of HSD/EDS in autistic samples was 27.9%, but 39% if HSD/EDS were assessed clinically. Despite the heterogeneity of studies, these results suggest an association between autism and JH/HSD/EDS that should be confirmed in further research.
Parental presence in neonatal medicine is essential for the development of premature newborns and the parent-child relationship. Through collaborative work with the neonatal medicine teams at Louis-Mourier Hospital, a tool to support parental presence called "Mon livret des premiers jours" has been designed and developed. This booklet is made available to parents with the aim of encouraging them to be present and enabling caregivers to more easily identify their needs and vulnerabilities. Parents can fill out the booklet daily, writing or using stickers to express what they are doing or feeling. The booklet is the subject of action research that will assess its contribution to parenting support. At the end of their hospital stay, parents can take the booklet home with them as a record of their experience that they can share with their child later on.
OBJECTIVES:Non-malignant chronic pain patients are at increased risk for suicide, making it essential to identify factors associated with suicide-related outcomes (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide death) in this population. This study aims to explore the psychopathological and psychosocial factors related to suicide-related outcomes in individuals with non-malignant chronic pain. METHOD:A systematic review was conducted by searching databases including PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, and Cochrane using predefined keywords and a systematic search strategy to identify psychopathological and psychosocial factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in adults with non-malignant chronic pain. RESULTS:A total of 49 studies identified 17 factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in non-malignant chronic pain: 11 psychopathological, including schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, trauma and stressor-related disorders, personality disorders, unspecified psychopathology, substance-related and addictive disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, and sleep-wake disorders; and 6 psychosocial, including health-related quality of life, impact of pain/pain-related beliefs, coping strategies, interpersonal relationships, psychological and emotional state, and life events. DISCUSSION:This systematic review highlights the variety of psychopathological and psychosocial factors associated with suicide-related outcomes in non-malignant chronic pain, underscoring the necessity of integrating these aspects to improve pain management and patient care.
OBJECTIVE:Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a core neuropsychiatric condition that includes both physical and mental symptoms. Recently, a validated clinical phenotype termed neuroconnective endophenotype (NEP), which includes several physical and psychological characteristics together with joint hypermobility (hypermobility spectrum disorders), was found at a significantly higher frequency among patients with anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to examine the presence of the NEP among patients with FND. METHODS:The authors conducted a multicenter case-control study comprising 27 FND patients and 27 healthy control participants (matched by sex and age) ages 13 to 58 years. Eight questionnaires were administered. Proportional differences were examined with Student's t tests, one-way analyses of variance, and chi-square tests. RESULTS:Differences between FND patients and control participants were observed. FND patients had higher sensory sensitivity, increased prevalence of hypermobility features (including relevant physical signs and symptoms), greater frequency of polarized behaviors, a greater number of both psychiatric and physical comorbidities, and an increase in the characteristics and sensations typical of anxiety. Particularly striking was the presence of the hypermobility spectrum in more than 75% of FND patients compared with 15% among control participants. CONCLUSIONS:FND patients presented higher scores in all five dimensions included in the NEP. Thus, this phenotype, solidifying the original association between anxiety and the hypermobility spectrum, could help to identify an FND subtype when evaluating and managing FND patients, because it provides a new global view of patients' physical and mental symptoms.
Teenage parenthood involves a dual transition to adulthood and parenthood. A small-scale phenomenon, there remains a gap between statistical reality and social perception. The media and politicians take up the issue as a synonym for socio-psychological difficulties. The literature points in particular to the consequences of these maternities on the future of mothers, children and their relationships. However, some studies qualify the literature by identifying different types of teenage pregnancy and parenthood profiles.
Teenage parenthood involves a dual transition to adulthood and parenthood. A small-scale phenomenon, there remains a gap between statistical reality and social perception. The media and politicians take up the issue as a synonym for socio-psychological difficulties. The literature points in particular to the consequences of these maternities on the future of mothers, children and their relationships. However, some studies qualify the literature by identifying different types of teenage pregnancy and parenthood profiles.
Well-being is key to retaining palliative care volunteers. To identify its determinants, this study transferred a positive education model, the SEARCH framework, which includes six pathways to well-being (Strengths, Emotional management, Attention and awareness, Relationships, Coping, and Habits and goals). A cross-sectional sample of 101 palliative care volunteers involved in France completed online self-questionnaires relating to well-being, SEARCH psychosocial functioning pathways to well-being, and sociodemographic variables. Correlational analyses showed that 5 of the 6 pathways were associated with palliative care volunteers’ well-being (Strengths, Emotional management, Attention and awareness, Relationships, and Coping). A stepwise multiple linear regression revealed that Emotional management, Relationships with family, and Coping based on social support-seeking were predictors, that combined, contributed significantly to palliative care volunteers’ well-being (F (3, 71) = 12.73, p < 0.001), accounting for 35
BackgroundVascular Ehlers-Danlos (vEDS) and Loeys-Dietz syndromes (LDS) are hereditary disorders of connective tissue having severe vascular complications (HDCTv) which lead to an increased risk of premature death. Little is known about the impact of the disease in patient’s daily life.MethodSixteen HDCTv patients (vEDS = 9 and LDS = 7), 16 age and sex-matched hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients (hEDS) and 18 healthy subjects (HS), responded to self-questionnaires assessing psychosocial adjustment, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and sleep problems. Patients with HDCTv were also interviewed in order to explore qualitatively their experience with the disease.ResultsCompared with HS, patients with HDCTv scored significantly higher on anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and lower on QoL. Most HDCTv patients (93.8%) have optimal psychosocial adjustment. In addition, HDCTv patients scored higher on QoL and psychosocial adjustment, but lower in pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and depressive symptoms than hEDS patients. Four main themes were identified in qualitative analyses: living with HDCTv, knowledge/ignorance of the disease, health behaviors/self-care and coping strategies.ConclusionOur results suggest that despite the negative impact of HDCTv on the patients’ daily lives, overall, they present an optimal disease adjustment which points to appropriate coping strategies. More research in psychosocial aspects of people with these rare diseases are needed to confirm these results and better understand their needs.
Introduction The link between anxiety disorders and joint hypermobility syndrome (now under hypermobility spectrum disorders, which include hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome) has been widely replicated over the past 30 years and has grown beyond the initial nosological limits. To integrate clinical and research progress in this field, a new neuroconnective endophenotype (NE) and its corresponding instrument, the Neuroconnective Endophenotype Questionnaire (NEQ), have been developed. This new clinical construct, created with the active participation of patients, includes both somatic and psychological dimensions and symptoms and resilience items. Methods The NE includes five dimensions: (1) sensorial sensitivity, (2) body signs and symptoms, (3) somatic conditions, (4) polar behavioral strategies, and (5) psychological and psychopathological dimensions. The NEQ information is collected through four self-administered questionnaires (sensorial sensitivity, body signs and symptoms, polar behavioral strategies, and psychological characteristics) and a structured diagnostic part that should be completed by a trained observer. This hetero-administered part incorporates (a) psychiatric diagnoses (using structured criteria, e.g., MINI), (b) somatic disorders diagnosis, using structured criteria, and (c) assessment of joint hypermobility criteria. Results In a sample of 36 anxiety cases with 36 matched controls, the NEQ obtained high scores for test–retest, inter-rater reliability, and internal consistency. As for predictive validity, cases and controls significantly differed in all five dimensions and hypermobility measurements. Discussion We can conclude that the NEQ has achieved acceptable reliability and validity values and, therefore, is ready to be used and tested in different samples. This original and consistent construct including somatic and mental items may improve clinical specificity, the search for more comprehensive therapies, and their genetic and neuroimaging bases.
Objectives: Chronic pain is a major health problem given its high prevalence and its multiple consequences on the physical and psychological functioning of patients. It is therefore important to determine the relationship between these consequences and pain management strategies such as activity pacing. This review aimed to examine the association between activity pacing and the level of negative emotions in chronic pain. A second objective was to explore sex differences in this association. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Three independent reviewers used a combination of keywords within four databases to include studies examining the link between pacing and negative emotions in chronic pain. Results: Pacing was associated with less negative emotions when measured using multidimensional tools, distinguishing it from avoidance, and highlighting the major components of pacing, such as maintaining a constant activity or conserving energy. Data did not allow examination of sex differences. Discussion: Pacing is multidimensional and consists of various strategies of pain management which are not equally associated with negative emotions. It is important to use measures reflecting this conception to strengthen knowledges about the role of pacing in the development of negative emotions.
INTRODUCTION:Strenuous preprofessional ballet training places young students at an increased risk of injury. This represents a major concern for aspiring dancers since a link has been described between injury and dropping out. It is therefore important to identify physical and psychological factors related to injuries in dance for prevention purposes.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study, we explored the frequency and characteristics of injuries, as well as their physical and psychological determinants in preprofessional ballet dancers. Seventy-three participants (women = 75.6%; mean age = 13.7; SD = 1.8) were evaluated with the Beighton criteria for joint hypermobility and self-questionnaires assessing injuries in the last 18 months, fatigue, fear of injury, and motivation.RESULTS:Most of participants (61.6%) experienced injuries in the last 18 months, mainly in the lower limbs, and due to overuse. Multivariate analyses showed that joint hypermobility and fatigue predict injury status in this sample.CONCLUSION:These results confirm previous reports suggesting that physical factors such as fatigue and joint hypermobility, that are frequent in ballet dancers, should be taken into account in order to prevent injuries.