Persistent somatization in cancer: A controlled follow-up study

Author(s): Maguire, G. P.

Journal/Book: J Psychosom Res. 1998; 45: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 249-256.

Abstract: Nature and frequency of somatic complaints, severity of anxiety and depression, and nature of psychiatric symptoms and disorders were evaluated in 81 adequately treated cancer patients, disease-free or with residual disease, using a controlled, prospective follow-up design. Patients were included in the index group (n=60) if they had persistent somatic complaints or unexplained nature or severity of somatic complaints, or the control group (n=21), if they did not report somatic complaints. Instruments used for evaluation were the Scale for Assessment of Somatic Symptoms, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Psychiatric Assessment Schedule, and DSM-III-R. Common somatic complaints in the index group were pain (19%); fatigue (17%), sensory symptoms (30%), and mixed symptoms (27%). Subjects in the index group significantly (p<0.001) more often had depressive or anxiety disorder (19%) and atypical somatoform disorder (15%). Patients were treated appropriately with psychotropic medications and counseling. Follow-up at 4-6 months revealed a significant reduction in the number of somatic symptoms (p<0.001) and anxiety (p<0.001) and depression (p<0.05) scores. The observations confirm that somatic symptoms may persist in dancer patients, which are related to concomitant psychopathology, and require psychiatric intervention.

Note: Article Chaturvedi SK, 8 Type 4, Nimhans Quarters, Byrasandra Campus, Bangalore 560011, Karnataka, INDIA

Keyword(s): cancer; somatization; pain; depression; DEPRESSION; SECONDARY; MORBIDITY

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