Syndrome or symptoms? Assessing cothymia, neuroticism and lifetime comorbidity in a sample of psychiatric patients

Authors

Fiammetta Iannuzzo, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, ItalyFollow
Fabiana Fiasca, U.O.C. Laboratory Analysis, St Filippo and St Nicola hospital, Avezzano (L’Aquila), Italy
Antonella Mattei, Department of Health, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
Carmela Mento, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
Maria Catena Silvestri, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
Fabrizio Turiaco, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
Rocco Antonio Zoccali, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
Antonio Bruno, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, ItalyFollow

Abstract

Background. Cross-sectional and longitudinal psychiatric comorbidity rates could represent a syndromic process rather than the co-occurrence of different disorders. ‘Cothymia’, the concomitant presence of depression and anxiety symptoms, and the ‘neuroticism’ dimension have been proposed as candidate vulnerability factors for psychiatric disorders trajectories. Based on this background, the present research was aimed at assessing the role of cothymia and neuroticism as syndromic processes in lifetime psychiatric disorders, and examining homotypic or heterotypic trends in the diagnostic continuum of comorbid mental disorders. Materials and methods. Data collection was carried out retrospectively through the consultation of medical records at the Psychiatry Unit of the University Hospital of Messina. Cothymia was determined by the lifetime presence of depression and other anxiety disorders, and neuroticism was determined by the presence of borderline personality disorders and other personality disorders. Results. Cothymia and neuroticism were found in 580 patients with higher rates of hospitalization, drug prescription, polypharmacotherapy, and longer duration of illness. Furthermore, diagnostic trajectories in patients with cothymia and neuroticism followed both homotypic and heterotypic progressions. Limitations: This study presented several limitations. The small sample size from a restricted recruitment area, and the retrospective design may have influenced a realistic and accurate estimation of the lifetime prevalence of the disorders. Conclusions. Despite the limitations, the findings of this study confirm the presence of consistent and meaningful homotypic and heterotypic trajectories in psychiatric patients, suggesting that the evolution of lifetime diagnoses should become a focus in theoretical and practical approaches to psychiatric disorders.

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Recommended Citation

Iannuzzo, Fiammetta; Fiasca, Fabiana; Mattei, Antonella; Mento, Carmela; Silvestri, Maria Catena; Turiaco, Fabrizio; Zoccali, Rocco Antonio; Muscatello, Maria Rosaria Anna; and Bruno, Antonio (2024) "Syndrome or symptoms? Assessing cothymia, neuroticism and lifetime comorbidity in a sample of psychiatric patients," Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences: Vol. 11: Iss. 1, Article 14.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22543/2392-7674.1460
Available at: https://scholar.valpo.edu/jmms/vol11/iss1/14