scholarly journals Prevalence of Alexithymia in Patients with Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-145
Author(s):  
Ahmed Rady ◽  
Roa Gamal Alamrawy ◽  
Ismail Ramadan ◽  
Mervat Abd El Raouf
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Symptom ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Arabic Version ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Medically Unexplained ◽  
Unexplained Physical Symptoms

Background: There is a high incidence of alexithymia in people who report medically unexplained symptoms. There have been limited studies on the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alexithymia in patients with MUPS and examine their socio-demographic data. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 196 patients with MUPS were recruited from tertiary care internal medicine and neuropsychiatry clinics during the first quarter of 2019. Patients completed a structured interview; socio-demographic and medical history data were collected. Somatic symptom severity was assessed using the Arabic version of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Alexithymia was assessed using the Arabic version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. Results: General fatigue was the most common complaint observed, followed by headache and dyspepsia. In addition, 73.5% of patients had a high Patient Health Questionnaire score, 17.9% had somatic symptoms of medium severity, while 8% and 0.5% had low and marginal somatic symptoms, respectively. Alexithymia was presented in 49.5%, 22.9% had no alexithymia, and 27.6% had borderline/intermediate alexithymia.A weak positive correlation (r<0.4) was found between somatic symptom severity and alexithymic psychopathology (r=0.277;p<0.05). Only the ‘difficulty identifying feelings’ dimension of alexithymic psychopathology was positively correlated with the severity of somatic symptoms (r=0.271;p<0.05). Conclusion: Alexithymia is associated with the development of MUPS.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study of aggression against Spanish nursing personnel and effects on somatisation of physical symptoms

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e034143 ◽  
Author(s):  
María del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes ◽  
María del Mar Molero Jurado ◽  
África Martos Martínez ◽  
María del Mar Simón Márquez ◽  
Nieves Fátima Oropesa Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Somatic Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Nursing Personnel ◽  
Healthcare Sector ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Severe Problem ◽  
Nursing Professionals

IntroductionViolence against nursing personnel in their place of work is a severe problem generating important consequences for these workers. Even though there is a large body of research on the subject, the emotional impact of aggression against healthcare workers continues to be debated.ObjectivesThe objective of this quantitative, observational cross-sectional study was to analyse the effects of aggression against nursing personnel and the mediating role of anxiety in somaticising physical symptoms.MethodThe sample was made up of 1357 nursing professionals who answered questionnaires evaluating their sensitivity to anxiety and the presence of somatic symptoms.ResultsOf the professionals who indicated that they had been the victims of aggression by family members or patients in the previous year, 52.8% said it had happened to them on one occasion, 25.2% had experienced two episodes, while 6.9% and 15.1% said they had undergone three or more aggressions, respectively. Although 89.3% of the professionals affected by acts of indicated that they had not undergone physical or psychological consequences, there was a higher prevalence of somatic alteration among workers who had been victims of violence in the workplace. Furthermore, aggression at work had a direct effect on physical somatisation, which in turn acted as a mediator in the level of anxiety of nursing professionals. Thus, aggression increased the level of anxiety of nurses through the appearance of somatic symptoms.ConclusionsThe results are discussed based on some of the consequences that appeared after episodes of aggression in the healthcare sector and their relationship.

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

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.

scholarly journals Psychopathology and Somatic Complaints: A Cross-Sectional Study with Portuguese Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Joana Proença Becker ◽  
Rui Paixão ◽  
Manuel João Quartilho
Keyword(s):  
Early Detection ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychopathological Symptoms ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
The Impact

(1) Background: Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical diagnosis, injuries, and medication intake. More than the presence of unexplained symptoms, this condition is associated with functional disabilities, psychological distress, increased use of health services, and it has been linked to depressive and anxiety disorders. Recognizing the difficulty of diagnosing individuals with FSS and the impact on public health systems, this study aimed to verify the concomitant incidence of psychopathological symptoms and FSS in Portugal. (2) Methods: For this purpose, 93 psychosomatic outpatients (91.4% women with a mean age of 53.9 years old) and 101 subjects from the general population (74.3% women with 37.8 years old) were evaluated. The survey questionnaire included the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire, the 20-Item Short Form Survey, the Brief Symptom Inventory, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, and questions on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. (3) Results: Increases in FSS severity were correlated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. The findings also suggest that increased rates of FSS are associated with lower educational level and female gender. (4) Conclusion: Being aware of the relationship between FSS and psychopathological symptoms and the need to explore psychosocial issues during clinical interviews may favor early detection of these cases. The early detection of mental disorders is essential for individuals’ adherence to treatments, reflecting on healthcare costs.

Psychological Morbidity Among Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-sectional Study from Chennai, South India

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (01) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
D. Devi ◽  
V. Monica ◽  
Ravi Santhosh ◽  
Vijaya Raghavan ◽  
P. Poornachandrika
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Panic Attacks ◽  
Psychological Morbidity ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Results

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health threat and is by far the largest outbreak of atypical pneumonia, since the SARS outbreak in 2003. A range of psychiatric morbidities such as persistent depression, anxiety, panic attacks, delirium and suicidality were observed in the post infectious state across the world. Hence, the aim of the study was to understand the psychological status of the patients affected by COVID during their post-COVID follow-up period and to examine the socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with high psychological morbidity. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in the post-COVID follow up clinic, at a tertiary care hospital between the months of August - November 2020, using a semi structured proforma and rating scales such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) for depression, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Results: The study results indicate that the prevalence of depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients was 21.9% and 11.9%, respectively. Insomnia was observed among 21.7%Among various sociodemographic and clinical variables examined, it was observed that female gender, patients with ongoing stressors and patients with post-COVID-19 persistent physical symptoms were found to be associated with greater depression and anxiety among the study population. Conclusions: Persistent physical symptoms and ongoing life stressors are found to be associated with depression and anxiety among post-COVID-19 patients. Hence, periodic screening for individuals with persisting physical symptoms and care for the vulnerable population such as those with ongoing stressors will provide a significant advantage in the follow up of the mental health of the patients affected with COVID-19.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document