Magnitude of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with obesity in Northern Indian population.

To determine the prevalence of different psychiatric comorbidities in patients with obesity and study their relationship with the degrees of obesity. This cross-sectional study included 151 patients with a BMI≥25 kg/m². Subjects with diagnosed psychiatric illness, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease or any neurological illness were excluded. Prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities was assessed by MINI screening tool for all major axis 1 disorders including anxiety, eating and mood disorders. The WHOQOL-BREF was used for assessment of well-being, in the four domains, physical, psychological, social and environmental. Females constituted 68.6% of the study population. Lifetime diagnosis of any psychiatric illness was present in 24%, higher in females than males [31% vs 9%, p = 0.003]. The WHOQOL-BREF average scores of psychological, physical and environmental domains were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in patients diagnosed with depression as compared to those without. The WHOQOL-BREF average score of only the physical domain were significantly lower in individuals with BMI ≥30 kg/m² as compared to those with BMI <30 kg/m². The burden of undiagnosed psychiatric comorbidity in patients with obesity decreases the quality of life. There is need to screen for psychiatric comorbidities for effective management of obesity. • Undiagnosed psychiatric comorbidity is present in up to one-fourth of patients with obesity. • Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with decreased quality of life in all domains. • Majority of the patients were found to have deranged awareness levels and perceptions regarding their obesity. • Conveying a diagnosis, screening for psychiatric comorbidities and counselling are essential for effective management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]