Pallati Abhivandana, Singh Amandeep, Ranjan Piyush, Rawat Nandini, Sarkar Siddharth, Kaloiya Gaurishanker, Baitha Upendra, Upadhyay Ashish D, Prakash Bindu, Jadon Ranveer S
Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, IND.
Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 2;16(8):e65984. doi: 10.7759/cureus.65984. eCollection 2024 Aug.
The association between somatic symptoms and psychiatric co-morbidities remains unexplored among patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in Asian populations. This study aims to bridge this gap by investigating psychiatric morbidities and their determinants among patients presenting with MUPS in an Indian setup.
This cross-sectional study, conducted in the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in India, assessed 200 patients diagnosed with MUPS. Assessment tools, such as the Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS-8), Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale (PSLES), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), were administered to collect data.
The study examined patients (mean age 36.51±9.82 years), predominantly comprising females (67.5%), presenting with MUPS. Common presenting symptoms were general (96.3%), musculoskeletal pain (91.7%), and gastrointestinal symptoms reported by 81.7%. Medium somatic symptom severity (57%) was more prevalent in females. Prevalent psychiatric co-morbid conditions included depression (mild: 22.0%, moderate: 26.5%), moderate anxiety (41.5%), and moderate stress (26%). Strong associations were observed between the SSS-8 score and depression (χ²(6, N = 200) = 49.26, p < 0.001), anxiety (χ²(8, N = 200) = 37.90, p < 0.001), stress (χ²(6, N = 200) = 44.45, p < 0.001), and the experience of stressful life events (χ²(3, N = 200) = 6.5, p < 0.05).
The study indicates an intertwined association between MUPS and psychiatric disorders. Individuals with MUPS commonly experience heightened anxiety and depression, emphasizing the complex interplay between somatic symptoms and emotional well-being. Consideration of environmental and social factors may be crucial for a comprehensive understanding.
在亚洲人群中，患有医学上无法解释的身体症状（MUPS）的患者中，躯体症状与精神共病之间的关联尚待探索。本研究旨在通过调查印度环境下患有MUPS的患者的精神疾病及其决定因素来填补这一空白。
这项横断面研究在印度一家三级护理医院的门诊部（OPD）进行，评估了200名被诊断为MUPS的患者。使用诸如躯体症状量表（SSS-8）、推定应激性生活事件量表（PSLES）以及抑郁、焦虑和压力量表（DASS）等评估工具来收集数据。
该研究调查了以女性为主（67.5%）、患有MUPS的患者（平均年龄36.51±9.82岁）。常见的症状有全身性症状（96.3%）、肌肉骨骼疼痛（91.7%）以及胃肠道症状（81.7%）。中度躯体症状严重程度（57%）在女性中更为普遍。常见的精神共病情况包括抑郁症（轻度：22.0%，中度：26.5%）、中度焦虑（41.5%）和中度压力（26%）。观察到SSS-8评分与抑郁症（χ²(6, N = 200) = 49.26, p < 0.001）、焦虑症（χ²(8, N = 200) = 37.90, p < 0.001）、压力（χ²(6, N = 200) = 44.45, p < 0.001）以及应激性生活事件经历（χ²(3, N = 200) = 6.5, p < 0.05）之间存在强关联。
该研究表明MUPS与精神障碍之间存在相互关联。患有MUPS的个体通常会经历更高的焦虑和抑郁，这强调了躯体症状与情绪健康之间复杂的相互作用。考虑环境和社会因素对于全面理解可能至关重要。
