EPA-0187 – Do the risk factors for medically unexplained symptoms differ in the developing world?

Abstract

Objective To examine psychological distress and quality of life in patients with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) compared to those with medically explained symptoms (MES) in a primary care setting in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods 472 patients attending a GP clinic in Karachi completed questionnaires to assess somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The patients’ GP recorded whether the complaint was medically unexplained or medically explained. Results Patients with MUS were more likely to be employed (p=0.01) educated to a higher level (p Conclusion Compared to people with MES, those with MUS had experienced less psychological distress and better health-related quality of life. Furthermore, those with MES had higher scores on the life events checklist and were more likely to come from larger families, be illiterate, unemployed and to have financial problems.