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Background: Research on emotion regulation (ER) in medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUS) is rare.Purpose: The goal of this study was to compare ER skills between MUS-patients without comorbid depression, MUS-patients with comorbid depression (MUS+MDD), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and healthy controls. Additionally, we examined the mediating effect of depression and anxiety on the relationship between ER and somatization.Methods: The Emotion-Regulation Skills Questionnaire (ERSQ) and other self-report measures were completed by 138 MUS-patients, 114 MUS+MDD-patients, 106 MDD-patients, and 100 healthy controls. Multiple mediation analyses were applied to investigate the role of depression and anxiety as potential mediators.Results: A MANCOVA and post-hoc test with age, sex and education as covariates indicated that ER skills of the MUS-group were lower than the controls (p<0.001-p=0.047), but higher than the MDD- and MUS+MDD-group (p<0.001-p=0.042). ER skills of the MDD-group and MUS+MDD-group did not differ (p=0.78-p=0.99), but were lower than controls (p<0.001-p=0.011). In the MUS-groups depression and anxiety had a mediating effect on the relationship between ER and somatization (b=-0.23, 95% bias-corrected CI: -0.30, -0.17). The direct effect of ER on somatization was no longer significant when controlling for the mediating variables (b=0.07, p=0.083).Conclusions: Our study reveals that patients with MUS+MDD have higher deficits in ER skills than MUS patients without MDD. Additionally, deficits in ER in MUS-patients are influenced by depression and anxiety. This indicates that MUS-patients with comorbid mental disorders might benefit from an emotion regulation training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) have often been related to sleep bruxism and elevated nocturnal masseter muscle activity (NMMA). However, previous studies have revealed controversial results, and the role of somatization, depression and anxiety has not been studied in this context. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between NMMA and pain intensity, TMD related symptoms, somatoform symptoms, depression, and anxiety in chronic TMD. Methods: Thirty-six subjects with chronic painful TMD, 34 subjects with pain free bruxism, and 36 healthy controls recorded their nocturnal masseter muscle activity during three consecutive nights with portable devices. In addition, participants completed pain diaries and questionnaires. Diagnoses were established using the research diagnostic criteria for TMD. Results: Subjects with chronic TMD reported a reduced general health state (p <.001), higher levels of somatoform symptoms (p <.001), depression (p <.05), and anxiety (p <.001) compared to control subjects with or without sleep bruxism. The amount of NMMA did not differ significantly between the groups. In subjects with TMD, pain intensity was not related to NMMA. However, higher NMMA was related to higher intensity of jaw related symptoms such as headache or tinnitus, and higher somatization in general. Conclusion: Chronic TMD is associated with elevated levels of psychopathology. These findings suggest a common link between NMMA, somatization, and symptom intensity in chronic TMD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Untreated depression during pregnancy may have adverse outcomes for the mother and her child. Screening for depression in the general pregnant population is thus recommended. The Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS) is widely used for postpartum depression screening. There is no consensus on which EDS cutoff values to use during pregnancy. The aim of the current study was to examine the predictive validity and concurrent validity of the EDS for all three trimesters of pregnancy. Methods: In a large unselected sample of 845 pregnant women, the sensitivity, specificity, and validity of the EDS were evaluated. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (depression module) was used to examine the predictive validity of the EDS. The anxiety and somatization subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were used to examine its concurrent validity. Only women with a major depressive episode were considered as cases. Results: The prevalence of depression decreased toward end term: 5.6%, 5.4%, and 3.4%. The EDS scores also decreased toward end term, while the SCL-90 subscale anxiety scores increased. The EDS showed high test–retest reliability and high concurrent validity with the SCL-90 anxiety and somatization subscales. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was high and varied between 0.93 and 0.97. A cutoff value of 11 in the first trimester and that of 10 in the second and third trimesters gave the most adequate combination of sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value. Conclusions: The EDS is a reliable instrument for screening depression during pregnancy. A lower cutoff than commonly applied in the postpartum period is recommended. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: An implementation study that evaluated the impact of previously adopted guidelines on the clinical practice of medical residents was conducted to improve the recognition and treatment of major depressive disorders (MDDs) in hospitalized patients with somatic diseases. Methods: Guidelines were implemented in two wards (ENT and oncology) using intranet diffusion, interactive sessions with medical residents, and support material. Discharge letters of 337 and 325 patients, before and after the intervention, respectively, were checked for statement of diagnosis or treatment of MDDs and, in a post hoc analysis, for any mention about psychiatric management. Results: No difference was found in the number of diagnosed or treated MDDs before and after the intervention. However, significantly more statements about psychological status (29/309 vs. 13/327) and its management (36/309 vs. 19/327) were observed after the intervention (P<.01). Conclusion: The intervention was not successful in improving the management of MDDs. However, a possible effect on general psychological aspects of medical diseases was observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This study aims to explore the prevalence and impact of psychiatric disorders on the likelihood of an organic, neurological explanation for symptoms among neurology referrals.Methods: Consecutive new adult neurology referrals were screened for psychiatric disorders (PRIME-MD) prior to evaluation by neurologists, blinded to these results. Diagnoses were stratified into three categories: no neurological diagnosis, neurological-headache, and neurological-nonheadache.Results: Of 235 patients enrolled, 79 (34%) received no neurological diagnosis, 54 (23%) headache and 102 (43%) a neurological diagnosis. Overall, 39% had an underlying psychiatric disorder. Patients with psychiatric disorders were less likely to have a neurological diagnosis (RR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.48–0.90): 25% of patients with a neurological diagnosis had an underlying psychiatric disorder, compared to 43% among those with no diagnosis and 57% among those with headaches.Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders are common among neurology referrals, particularly those with headaches and are associated with a decreased likelihood of an underlying neurological process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]