The prevalence and its correlates of somatization disorder at a quaternary mental health centre.

Abstract

Somatization Disorder (SD) is known to cause disability and impact the quality of life due to psychological and somatic distress. Though it is a Common Mental Disorder (CMD), the disorder tends to visit all levels of health care, among which prevalence of SD at tertiary care is 10.1%. To estimate current prevalence and its correlates of socio-clinical factors in SD at a quaternary mental health centre (QMHC). Total of 422 adult subjects were selected through systematic random sampling at first contact psychiatry outpatient clinic. Subjects were interviewed with Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus version 5.0.0, Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale and Sheehan Disability Scale. Current prevalence of SD was 5%. Significant correlates are observed with median age of 40.5 years, female, married, <5 years of education, monthly income of <₹ 10,357(85.5%) and lower socioeconomic status (75%). There is high prevalence of SD even at QMHC. The higher prevalence among adult population in this setup reflect the impairment of working population which invariably impact on national economy. Poverty continues to be a major contributing factor to SD causing double impact on the economy by affecting the working population the most.