Biomarkers in somatic symptom disorders: A cross-sectional clinical study

Abstract Background Many primary health care (PHC) clients come in with medically unexplained complaints, leading to frequent consultations and high usage of services and healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) among PHC attendees and explore its relation to other mental conditions and risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to interview 400 attendees. Men and women aged over 18 years old without a psychiatric diagnosis were invited to participate. The Somatization scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire was used to assess somatic symptom disorders. It is a valid tool to be used in a PHC setting. We used the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression to explore determinant variables. Results Prevalence of SSD was 32.5% (95%CI = 27.9–37.1%). The most common symptoms were painful muscles (61.5%) followed by back pain (52.3%). Female gender [adjusted OR = 2.1 (95% CI = 1.2–3.7)], chronic diseases [adjusted OR = 2.4 (95%CI = 1.3–4.5)], depression [adjusted OR = 3.3 (95%CI = 2.0–5.5)], and anxiety [adjusted OR = 2.1 (95%CI = 1.2–3.6)] were all associated with SSD. In addition, frequent primary health care attendance was found to be associated with SSD [adjusted OR = 2.4 (95%CI = 1.4–4.1)]. Conclusions SSD significantly higher among females, patients with chronic diseases, clients with anxiety and depressive disorders, and patients with frequent doctors’ visits. Painful muscles and back pain are the most common symptom presented by patients, and this could be used initially by PHC physicians as a signal to consider for screening.

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Somatic Symptom Disorders and Utilization of Health Services among Palestinian Primary Health Care Attendees: A Cross-sectional Study

10.21203/rs.3.rs-123167/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zaher Nazzal ◽

Beesan Maraqa ◽

Marah Abu Zant ◽

Layali Qaddoumi ◽

Rana Abdallah

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Back Pain ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Common Symptom ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Primary Health ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Abstract Background: Many primary health care (PHC) clients come in with medically unexplained complaints, leading to frequent consultations and high usage of services and healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) among PHC attendees and explore its relation to other mental conditions and risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to interview 400 attendees. Men and women aged over 18 years old without a psychiatric diagnosis were invited to participate. The Somatization scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire was used to assess somatic symptom disorders. It is a valid tool to be used in a PHC setting. We used the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression to explore determinant variables.Results: Prevalence of SSD was 32.5% (95%CI= 27.9%-37.1%). The most common symptoms were painful muscles (61.5%) followed by back pain (52.3%). Female gender [adjusted OR = 2.2 (95% CI= 1.3-4)], chronic diseases [adjusted OR = 2 (95%CI=1.1-3.6)], depression [adjusted OR = 3.2 (95%CI= 2.0-5.3)], and anxiety [adjusted OR = 3.0 (95%CI= 1.6-5.5)] were all associated with SSD. In addition, frequent primary health care attendance was found to be associated with SSD [adjusted OR = 2.2 (95%CI= 1.3-4.0)]Conclusions: SSD significantly higher among females, patients with chronic diseases, clients with anxiety and depressive disorders, and patients with frequent doctors' visits. Painful muscles and back pain are the most common symptom presented by patients, and this could be used initially by PHC physicians as a signal to consider for screening.

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A Cross Sectional Clinical Study to Assess the Influence of Chronic Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy on Serum Magnesium Levels

10.36295/asro.2020.231507 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (15) ◽

Author(s):

S. Saradha ◽

R. Arunkumar ◽

M. Chokkalingam ◽

A. Ruckmani ◽

S. Babukumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Study ◽

Proton Pump Inhibitor ◽

Proton Pump ◽

Serum Magnesium ◽

Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy ◽

Inhibitor Therapy ◽

Cross Sectional

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Patients who complain of autonomic dysregulation: A cross-sectional study of patients with somatic symptom disorder

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211025549 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110255

Author(s):

Chao-Ying Tu ◽

Wei-Shih Liu ◽

Yen-Fu Chen ◽

Wei-Lieh Huang

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Health Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorder ◽

Autonomic Dysregulation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Patient Health

Background: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is common in medical settings but has been underdiagnosed. Stigma related to psychiatric illness was one of the barriers to making the diagnosis. More and more SSD patients who visited psychiatric clinics with physical complaints identify themselves as having ‘autonomic dysregulation’ in Taiwan. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of patients with a subjective diagnosis of ‘autonomic dysregulation’. Method: We assessed the sociodemographic profile, medical/psychiatric diagnoses, subjective psychiatric diagnoses, perceived psychiatric stigma, help-seeking attitude, and healthcare utilization of 122 participants with SSD. Participants who identified themselves as having ‘autonomic dysregulation’ ( n = 84) were compared to those who did not (n=38). Results: Participants with a subjective diagnosis of ‘autonomic dysregulation’ were younger and had a higher education level than those who did not have such a subjective diagnosis. They also had higher scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and Health Anxiety Questionnaire (HAQ), whereas comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were similar in the two groups. Participants with and without a subjective diagnosis of ‘autonomic dysregulation’ did not have a significant difference in perceived psychiatric stigma and help-seeking attitude/behaviors. In a multiple logistic regression model, only age was associated with having a subjective diagnosis of ‘autonomic dysregulation’. Conclusion: Among SSD patients, those who identify themselves as having ‘autonomic dysregulation’ tend to have higher somatic distress and health anxiety than those who do not. ‘Autonomic dysregulation’ is not associated with perceived psychiatric stigma.

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The proposed diagnosis of somatic symptom disorders in DSM-V to replace somatoform disorders in DSM-IV—A preliminary report

Journal of Psychosomatic Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.09.003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 68 (1) ◽

pp. 99-100 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Joel E. Dimsdale ◽

Francis H. Creed

Keyword(s):

Preliminary Report ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Somatoform Disorders ◽

Dsm V ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorders

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Middle and Long-Term Impact of a Very Low-Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet on Cardiometabolic Factors: A Multi-Center, Cross-Sectional, Clinical Study

High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Prevention ◽

10.1007/s40292-015-0096-1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

pp. 389-394 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Arrigo F. G. Cicero ◽

Maddalena Benelli ◽

Marco Brancaleoni ◽

Giuseppe Dainelli ◽

Desiré Merlini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Study ◽

Ketogenic Diet ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Carbohydrate ◽

Long Term Impact ◽

Cardiometabolic Factors

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Case complexity in outpatients in a centre of excellence for somatic symptom disorder -a cross-sectional study-

Journal of Psychosomatic Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.03.210 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 85 ◽

pp. 84-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. van Eck van der Sluijs ◽

L. de Vroege ◽

A. van Manen ◽

E. van der Thiel ◽

A. Timmermans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Somatic Symptom ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorder ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Case Complexity ◽

Centre Of Excellence

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Triggers and Clinical Presentations of Functional Neurological Disorders: Lessons from World War 1

European Neurology ◽

10.1159/000507698 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 174-181

Author(s):

Stefanie Caroline Linden

Keyword(s):

Life Events ◽

Somatic Symptom ◽

Somatic Symptoms ◽

Symptom Clusters ◽

Physical Factors ◽

World War ◽

Combat Experience ◽

Female Patients ◽

Symptom Profiles ◽

Somatic Symptom Disorders

Introduction: The psychological contribution to functional neurological and somatic symptom disorders is a major topic in current medical debate. Objective: For an understanding of the processes leading to functional somatic symptoms, it is paramount to explore their relationship with stress and life events and to elucidate the contribution of cultural factors. Methods: A total of 937 case records of civilian and military patients with functional somatic disorders treated in London during World War 1 were analysed. Group differences in symptom profiles and contemporaneous diagnoses were tested with χ2 tests. Results: Paralyses and speech disturbances were significantly more common in soldiers (43.3 and 17.2% of cases) than in civilian male (28.1 and 6.5%) and female patients (32.4 and 7.5%), whereas female patients had the highest rates of pain (48.6%) and somatic symptoms (67%). Triggers were identified in around two-thirds of cases and included accidents, physical illness, and work stress, in addition to the combat experience of the soldier patients. The nature of the trigger influenced symptom expression, with acute (combat and noncombat) events being particularly prone to trigger loss of motor function. Symptom profiles showed a great deal of multi-morbidity and overlap, although some symptom clusters were more (motor and speech disturbance) or less common (pain and loss of energy) in soldiers than civilians. Triggering life events in civilians were similar to those reported by patients with somatic symptom disorders today, with an important role of physical factors. Patterns of multi-morbidity and symptom clusters also resembled those of modern cohorts. Conclusions: Analysis of historical records, illness trajectories, and treatments can enhance the understanding of the presentation, mechanisms, and course of functional neurological and related disorders and their consistency over time.

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