Total somatic symptom score as a predictor of health outcome in somatic symptom disorders

Barbara Tomenson; Cecilia Essau; Frank Jacobi; Karl Heinz Ladwig; Kari Ann Leiknes; Roselind Lieb; Gunther Meinlschmidt; John McBeth; Judith Rosmalen; Winfried Rief; Athula Sumathipala; Francis Creed; EURASMUS Population Based Study Group

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.112.114405

Total somatic symptom score as a predictor of health outcome in somatic symptom disorders

Br J Psychiatry. 2013 Nov;203(5):373-80. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.112.114405. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

Authors

Barbara Tomenson¹, Cecilia Essau, Frank Jacobi, Karl Heinz Ladwig, Kari Ann Leiknes, Roselind Lieb, Gunther Meinlschmidt, John McBeth, Judith Rosmalen, Winfried Rief, Athula Sumathipala, Francis Creed; EURASMUS Population Based Study Group

Affiliation

¹ Barbara Tomenson, MSc, Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Population Health, University of Manchester, UK; Cecilia Essau, PhD, Department of Psychology, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, London, UK; Frank Jacobi, PhD, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany; Karl Heinz Ladwig, PhD, Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Centre for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Kari Ann Leiknes, MD, PhD, Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, Oslo, Norway; Roselind Lieb, PhD, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland; Gunther Meinlschmidt, PhD, Division of Clinical Psychology and Epidemiology, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland, and Research Department of Psychobiology, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL University Hospital & Faculty of Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany; John McBeth, PhD, Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Keele University, UK; Judith Rosmalen, PhD, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, Groningen, The Netherlands; Winfried Rief, PhD, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Marburg, Germany; Athula Sumathipala, MD, PhD, King's College London, UK; Francis Creed, FMedSci, Institute of Brain, Behaviour and Mental Health, University of Manchester, UK.

PMID: 24072756
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.112.114405

Abstract

Background: The diagnosis of somatisation disorder in DSM-IV was based on 'medically unexplained' symptoms, which is unsatisfactory.

Aims: To determine the value of a total somatic symptom score as a predictor of health status and healthcare use after adjustment for anxiety, depression and general medical illness.

Method: Data from nine population-based studies (total n = 28 377) were analysed.

Results: In all cross-sectional analyses total somatic symptom score was associated with health status and healthcare use after adjustment for confounders. In two prospective studies total somatic symptom score predicted subsequent health status. This association appeared stronger than that for medically unexplained symptoms.

Conclusions: Total somatic symptom score provides a predictor of health status and healthcare use over and above the effects of anxiety, depression and general medical illnesses.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety / epidemiology*
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression / epidemiology*
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Female
Health Status*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Pain / epidemiology
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*
Regression Analysis
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Distribution
Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis
Somatoform Disorders / epidemiology*
Somatoform Disorders / physiopathology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult

Grants and funding

Medical Research Council/United Kingdom