ASSOCIATION BETWEEN AFFECTIVE TEMPERAMENT AND MORBID OBESITY IN BARIATRIC SURGERY CANDIDATES: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: Affective temperaments are part of the spectrum of mood disorders and comprise the concepts of hyperthymia, dysthymia and cyclothymia. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between obesity and mood disorders.

Aims: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of affective temperaments in morbidly obese individuals and controls and to establish a possible association between affective temperaments and morbid obesity.

Methods: The study evaluated 106 cases (morbidly obese) and one hundred controls (non-obese). To assess affective temperaments, the Temperament Evaluation in Memphis Pisa and San Diego - Rio de Janeiro TEMPS-Rio de Janeiro scale was applied. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, anxiety symptoms using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and manic symptoms using the Young Mania Rating Scale. For univariate and multivariate analysis, logistic regression models were adjusted.

Results: The presence of at least one affective temperament was 74.5% in the morbidly obese group and 63% in the non-obese group. When comparing the two groups, the statistical analysis of the age subgroup of individuals aged 50 years or over showed an odds ratio of 2.56 (1.07-6.09) for hyperthymic temperament.

Conclusions: In the age group of 50 years or more, cases of morbid obesity are significantly more likely (2.56 times) to occur in individuals with a hyperthymic temperament. Among the three types of affective temperaments evaluated, only hyperthymia could be a risk factor for morbid obesity.