Evidence-based review: Screening body dysmorphic disorder in aesthetic clinical settings

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Dermatology
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is prevalent in aesthetic clinical settings.
• Early BDD recognition can prevent unnecessary procedures and associated ethical/medicolegal issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify validated BDD screening tools for aesthetic medicine and surgery.
• Critically appraise literature on BDD screening implementation and efficacy.
• Inform clinical practice in aesthetic fields.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of PubMed (MEDLINE).
• Selection of 12 studies meeting DSM-5 criteria for BDD and utilizing screening tools in aesthetic settings.

Main Results:

• BDD screening aids in identifying at-risk individuals.
• The Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ) and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ) are favored for non-psychiatric settings (Level III evidence).
• Limited evidence suggests patients screening positive for BDD report lower satisfaction with aesthetic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• More research is needed to refine BDD identification methods.
• Further studies should evaluate the impact of BDD screening on aesthetic intervention outcomes.
• High-quality evidence is required for standardized BDD screening protocols in clinical practice.