Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Untere Zahlbacher Str. 8, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
J Psychosom Res. 2021 Aug;147:110535. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110535. Epub 2021 May 26.
Background Following German reunification, physical health indicators in the formerly separated states (German Democratic Republic- East/ Federal Republic of Germany-West) have converged. However, it remains unclear how these societal changes have impacted somatic complaints, a major indicator of physical and mental health. Therefore, we investigated how somatic symptom reporting in men and women evolved regarding residency. Methods We administered cross-sectional surveys representative of the German population with comparable sample size in 1994 (N = 3047), 2001 (N = 2050), 2013 (N = 2508) and 2019 (N = 2531) following random route procedure. Men and women aged 14-99 reported demographics and filled the Gießen Complaint List, a standardized questionnaire, to assess major physical symptoms. Results Residency in the Eastern states was a determinant of higher symptom load in 2001 (β = 0.11, SE = 0.02, [95% CI = 0.07 to 0.15], p < .001) where symptom reporting has been consistently higher compared to the West from 1994 through 2013. However, in 2019, the pattern reversed and residency in the East was associated with lower symptom load (β = -0.15, SE =0.02, [95% CI = -0.19 to -0.11], p < .001). Predictors of high symptom load among all surveys were higher age, female sex, and low household income. Conclusions Symptom reporting did not converge, but reversed in 2019, with a higher symptom load in the Western states. This finding is particularly intriguing since other determinants, e.g., socioeconomic factors have converged, but have remained unfavorable in the East.
在德国统一后，前东德（民主德国/东德）和前西德（联邦德国/西德）的身体健康指标已经趋同。然而，目前尚不清楚这些社会变革对躯体症状（身心健康的主要指标）产生了怎样的影响。因此，我们调查了男性和女性的躯体症状报告在居住方面是如何演变的。
我们使用了 1994 年（N=3047）、2001 年（N=2050）、2013 年（N=2508）和 2019 年（N=2531）具有可比样本量的代表性横断面调查，采用随机路线程序对德国人口进行调查。年龄在 14-99 岁的男性和女性报告了人口统计学信息，并填写了吉森投诉清单，这是一个标准化问卷，用于评估主要的身体症状。
2001 年，居住在东部各州是更高症状负担的决定因素（β=0.11，SE=0.02，[95%CI=0.07 至 0.15]，p<0.001），与 1994 年至 2013 年相比，东部的症状报告一直较高。然而，2019 年情况发生了逆转，居住在东部与较低的症状负担相关（β=-0.15，SE=0.02，[95%CI=-0.19 至 -0.11]，p<0.001）。所有调查中高症状负担的预测因素是年龄较大、女性和低收入家庭。
症状报告没有趋同，反而在 2019 年发生了逆转，西部各州的症状负担更高。这一发现特别有趣，因为其他决定因素，如社会经济因素已经趋同，但在东部仍然不利。
