summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in affluent societies and is inherently associated with personality disorders.
The study found that NAFLD patients were three times more likely to have a personality disorder, which was not correlated with other liver diseases or common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Although knowledge and the need for dietary management and exercise are widespread among patients with NAFLD, adherence to such lifestyles is significantly influenced by disordered eating behaviors and potentially external locus of control (LoC). I am receiving it.
Therefore, this study highlights the urgency of scrutinizing attitudes towards diet and exercise for the purpose of motivational analysis and effective treatment in NAFLD management and post-transplant care.
Important facts:
- Prevalence of personality disorders: Patients with NAFLD are approximately three times more likely to suffer from a personality disorder unrelated to anxiety or depression compared to patients without the disease.
- Perception and action: NAFLD patients recognize the importance of diet and exercise for disease management, but frequently uncontrolled eating behavior and potentially high external LoC impede adherence to a beneficial lifestyle.
- Transplantation and recurrence: Even after liver transplantation for NAFLD, virtually two-fifths of patients show signs of disease recurrence within 5 years, highlighting the critical need for effective lifestyle change management.
sauce: University of Birmingham
Researchers also found that NAFLD patients often exhibit uncontrolled eating behavior, even though they know they need to be careful with their diet and exercise to keep the disease in check.
NAFLD has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in affluent societies and is responsible for a significant increase in liver-related deaths.
Up to one in three people in the UK have fatty liver disease. Although there are few symptoms in the early stages, the disease can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure in people at risk, such as people with diabetes.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a more severe form of NAFLD in which the liver becomes inflamed, is the most common cause of cirrhosis in developed countries, and deaths from liver disease have quadrupled in the past 50 years. Increased has.
survey results BMC GastroenterologyResearchers from the University of Birmingham have found that people with NAFLD are about three times more likely to suffer from a personality disorder than people without the disease.
Scientists are urging people with NAFLD to be tested for personality disorders. If identified, these mental health disorders should be treated before the patient begins attempting to control diet or increase physical activity.
Co-author Dr Jonathan Catling from the University of Birmingham commented: “The increased prevalence of personality disorders in NAFLD patients is particularly surprising, indicating that this is not a problem associated with all liver diseases, but only in NAFLD patients.”
“Importantly, there were no significant differences in anxiety or depression between the two groups, even though both mental illnesses are often associated with chronic liver disease. It doesn’t seem to be a problem.”
Scientists say that although simple measures such as dietary changes and increased physical activity have been proven to prevent disease progression in NAFLD, convincing patients to follow a diet and exercise program is often difficult. Pointed out. This may reflect the fact that such patients are often encouraged to increase their protein and calorie intake to reverse the nutritional deficiencies commonly seen in chronic liver disease.
Although NAFLD patients are aware of the beneficial effects of lifestyle modifications, they are often unable to make the changes necessary to improve their lifestyle. Among patients transplanted for NAFLD, two-fifths of patients showed signs of disease recurrence within 5 years after transplantation.
Dr. Catling continued, “Our findings will motivate NAFLD patients to make changes to diet and exercise to provide more effective treatment and better understand how to prevent disease recurrence after liver transplantation.” “This suggests that there is an urgent need to reconsider our attitude.”
One of the factors that determines a patient’s attitude toward weight loss is the patient’s internal and external “locus of control” (LoC), that is, the degree to which the patient believes he or she has control over the events of his or her life. Patients with high internal LoC perceive life events as a result of their own actions and are more likely to be successful in losing weight.
NAFLD patients may have increased external LoC, rather similar to individuals with substance abuse disorders. That is, they view life events as outside of their control and have a hard time achieving and maintaining them.
Make the necessary changes in diet and exercise management to prevent the disease from progressing to a more severe and irreversible stage.
In 2011, NAFLD was reported to be prevalent in up to 25% of the world’s adult population. This disease is a metabolic disorder characterized by the presence of lipid droplets in the liver despite the absence of excessive alcohol intake.
NAFLD is a global health problem and is a multifaceted disease where the main risk factors are obesity and insulin resistance. Because of its close association with obesity, the prevalence of NAFLD continues to pose a major public health challenge as Western societies grapple with the rise in obesity-related diseases.
About this health and personality disorder research news
author: tony moran
sauce: University of Birmingham
contact: Tony Moran – University of Birmingham
image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Role of behavioral regulation and mental health in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” by Jonathan Catling et al. BMC Gastroenterology
abstract
Role of behavioral regulation and mental health in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Background and purpose
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in affluent societies and is responsible for significantly increased liver morbidity and mortality. Current treatments prioritize lifestyle interventions, primarily diet and exercise management, but patients often fail to make the necessary behavioral adjustments. The current study aims to identify factors that influence patient behavior regarding adherence to treatment regimens.
method
New areas of interest were explored. As identified in previous literature, the association with poor lifestyle choices and abnormal eating has led to a focus on control, behavioral regulation, and various mental health measures being considered. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires from 96 participants divided into three groups: NAFLD patients, non-NAFLD liver disease patients, and healthy controls.
result
Data were analyzed using MANOVA and followed up with a Tukey post hoc test. Three factors were found to be important for each group. Cognitive inhibition, uncontrolled eating, and SAPAS scores (a measure of personality disorders). The association between personality disorder and his NAFLD was confirmed.
conclusion
It is recommended that patients with NAFLD be screened for personality disorders and treated if identified before starting diet and exercise management.
