Psychiatric symptoms and response quality to self-rated personality tests: Evidence from the PsyCoLaus study

Dysfunctional self-reported interoception predicts residual symptom burden of fatigue in major depressive disorder: an observational study

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is a core symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD) and is frequently refractory to antidepressant treatment, leading to unfavorable clinical/psychosocial outcomes. Dysfunctional self-reported interoception (i.e., maladaptive focus on the body's physiological condition) is prevalent in MDD and could contribute to residual symptom burden of fatigue. Therefore, we explored (a.) cross-sectional correlations between both dimensions and investigated (b.) prospective associations between interoceptive impairments at admission and symptom severity of fatigue at the end of hospitalization.

METHODS

This observational, exploratory study included 87 patients suffering from MDD who completed self-rating scales, the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2), and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), at the beginning and end of hospitalization. Bivariate correlations (r) and hierarchical regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The cross-sectional analysis showed moderate to large negative correlations between the MAIA-2 and MFI-20 dimensions except for the Not-Distracting scale. Symptoms of general, physical, and mental fatigue at the end of hospitalization were predicted by reduced body Trusting (β = -.31, p = .01; β = -.28, p = .02; β = -.31, p = .00, respectively). Increased Body Listening (β = .37, p = .00), Not-Worrying (β = .26, p = .02), and diminished Attention Regulation (β = -.32, p = .01) predicted higher mental fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

Diminished body confidence at baseline identified patients at risk for post-treatment fatigue and could therefore serve as a target for improving antidepressant therapy. Body-centered, integrative approaches could address treatment-resistant fatigue in MDD. However, clinicians may also consider the potential adverse effect of increased Body Listening and Not-Worrying on mental fatigue in psychotherapeutic and counselling approaches. Due to the exploratory nature of this study, the results are preliminary and need to be replicated in pre-registered trials with larger sample sizes.

Was retrospective change measurement conducted with Covid-19 containment inconsistent? Comparing prospective and retrospective change measures using data from a national survey on substance use and addictive behaviors

Single-measurement-point data collection to assess change has increased with studies assessing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and of its containment, despite evidence of its lack of validity. Retrospective change is not equivalent to change in repeated self-reported measures giving raise to questions about the validity of the former. This paper purports to investigate inconsistencies between change measures by confronting retrospective change to information from longitudinally self-reported measures from the C-SURF cohort study. The study sample consists of 2,279 young men who participated in C-SURF between 2020 and 2021, and completed between May and June 2021 a survey covering change in alcohol, cigarette, cannabis and other addictive behaviors related to the pandemic. The aforementioned behaviors were assessed longitudinally at two time points using self-reports, and retrospective change since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis was also assessed at the second measurement time. Information from both prospective and retrospective change measures were confronted to identify inconsistent information for each behavior. Additionally, multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess associations between socioeconomic status, impulsivity, depression, and different indicators of motivation to complete the study and inconsistency between both measures for each behavior of interest. Importantly, inconsistent information in at least one of the investigated behaviors was found in about 90% of the participants. Small associations were found between inconsistency and different factors with a consistent effect of impulsivity. In the absence of evidence of the validity of retrospective change measures, studies relying on retrospective change should be interpreted with caution.

Does Cognitive Functioning Predict Chronic Pain in Older Adult? Results From the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus Longitudinal Study

Chronic pain (CP) and cognitive impairment are common in older adults. CP was found to be associated with cognitive impairment in many cross-sectional studies. However, their cross-sectional design precluded inference on temporality. Accordingly, we aimed to prospectively assess the association between cognitive functioning and the occurrence of CP in older community dwellers. Analyses were based on data of the first (FU1) and the second follow-up (FU2) of CoLaus|PsyCoLaus, a prospective cohort study conducted in the general population of Lausanne (Switzerland) including the participants aged 65 and over. Neuropsychological functioning including memory, language, attention and executive function was measured at FU1. CP was assessed at FU1 and FU2 by self-rating questionnaire. The association between cognitive scores and subsequent CP was determined using multiple logistic regressions. Among the 337 participants without CP at FU1, 107 (31.8%) developed CP at FU2. A significant association was observed between higher Stroop color-time and interference index at FU1 and a higher risk of CP at FU2 (OR = 1.02; P = .03 and OR = 1.49; P = .03, respectively). Our results suggest that patients with inhibitory deficit may be at higher risk of developing CP in the presence of painful events. A cognitive assessment could be recommended to identify frail patients in these situations. PERSPECTIVE: This study suggests that presence of inhibitory deficits is associated with a higher risk of developing subsequent CP in older adults. In the presence of painful events, a cognitive assessment should be recommended to identify frail patients and to manage them carefully.

Validation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2) questionnaire in hospitalized patients with major depressive disorder

OBJECTIVES

Interoception refers to the sensation, interpretation, and integration of internal somatic signals. Abnormalities in self-reported interoception are prevalent features of major depressive disorder (MDD) and may affect treatment outcomes. In the present study, we investigated the psychometric properties of the revised eight-dimensional and 37-item Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness questionnaire (the MAIA-2) in a severely depressed sample, after translating two updated scales (Not-Distracting, Not-Worrying) into German. Specifically, we examined the measure's internal consistency reliability, sensitivity to change, and minimal important differences (MID) with a focus on patient's antidepressive responses to treatment.

METHODS

The study enrolled 110 participants (age: M = 46.85, SD = 11.23; female: 55.45%) undergoing hospital treatment, of whom 87 were included in the pre-post analysis. Participants completed a German translation of MAIA-2 and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (pre-/post-treatment). Internal consistency reliability was determined by Cronbach's α/McDonalds's ω, sensitivity to change was determined by effect sizes, and MIDs were determined by distribution- (0.5*SD) and anchor-based approaches (mean change method; ROC curve cut-points).

RESULTS

Depression severity reduced over the course of treatment (Median = -65.22%), and 34.48% of patients achieved remission. Reliability was appropriate for post-treatment (range of ω: .70-.90), but questionable for two pre-treatment scales (Noticing: ω = .64; Not-Distracting: ω = .66). The eight dimensions of MAIA-2 were sensitive to change (standardized response mean: .32-.81; Cohen's effect size: .30-.92). Distribution-based MIDs (.38-.61) and anchor-based mean change MIDs (remission vs. partial response: .00-.85; partial response vs. nonresponse: .08-.88) were established on the group level. For six scales, ROC cut-points (remission: .00-1.33; response: -.20-1.00) demonstrated accurate classification to treatment response groups on the individual level.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the applicability of the MAIA-2 questionnaire in MDD. The updated version may have led to reliability improvements regarding the revised scales, but subthreshold reliability was evident prior to treatment. The measure's dimensions were sensitive to change. MIDs were established that corresponded with antidepressive treatment outcomes. Our findings are consistent with a growing area of research which considers somatic feelings as key contributors to mental health.