World Health Organization international study of somatoform disorders

Author(s): Isaac, M., Silva, J. A. C. E.

Journal/Book: Eur J Psychiat. 1995; 9: PO Box 6029, 50080 Saragoose, Spain. European Journal of Psychiatry. 100-110.

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently launched a study of the characteristics of somatoform disorders in different cultures. An expert review of current knowledge on somatization and of issues that require future research had been produced prior to the study, These issues include the diagnosis, classification, assessment, cross-cultural variation and treatment of somatization. The main objectives of the WHO study are to test the cross-cultural applicability of the diagnostic criteria for somatoform disorders and develop instruments for their assessment; to assess the rates and other epidemiological indicators of the somatic expression of psychological disorders in different cultures; to produce and evaluate a set of educational tools and a programme of intervention for somatoform disorders in different parts of the world.

Note: Article A Janca, WHO, Div Mental Hlth, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland

Keyword(s): somatization; somatoform disorders; undifferentiated somatoform disorder; MENTAL-DISORDERS; SOMATIC SYMPTOMS; SOMATIZATION; CARE; COMMUNITY; DIAGNOSIS; CULTURE; SCALE

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World Health Organization international study of somatoform disorders - Background and rationale