A survey on clinical features of somatization disorder

Abstract

To investigate clinical features of somatization disorder. Methods Seventy-nine paeeeeee with somatization disorder (SD), diagnosed based on the Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders, version 3 ( CCMD-3 ) during September 2006 to August 2008, were selected and assessed by serf-edited somatic symptom list ( SSSL), symptom checklist-90 ( SCL-90 ), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Hamilton depression scale (HAMD). Results Sixty-two symptoms in two to six systems were involved in SDs, with a mean and standard deviation of 12.4 ± 6.6 symptoms in 4.2 ± 0.9 systems. The skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory and circulatory systems were the most involved in those symptoms. Depression, anxiety and hostile mood, number and total score of somatic symptoms all correlated positively with the total scores of HAMA and scores of somatic anxiety and mental anxiety (P 0.05 ). Conclusions Multiple systems were involved in SD, usually with complicated symptoms including depression and anxiety, which was prone to inappropriate medical diagnoses. Number and severity of somatic symptoms positively correlated with severity of anxious symptoms. Key words: Somatization disorder; Somatic symptoms; Psychiatric status rating scales