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Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Apr 2021Somatization, defined as a number of medically unexplained physical symptoms for many years, is a resource-intensive condition with much suffering. Adult somatization... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Somatization, defined as a number of medically unexplained physical symptoms for many years, is a resource-intensive condition with much suffering. Adult somatization has been linked to childhood trauma in both men and women. Among women, sexual trauma affects somatization level to a greater extent than nonsexual trauma. Early diagnosis of a somatization disorder would be of great help for both patients and society. The purpose of this scoping review is to map and summarize the literature on symptoms within somatization in women who have been sexually abused, and investigate if any specific symptom can be linked to previous sexual abuse.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A scoping review methodology was used. The databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library were searched for original qualitative and quantitative research published between 2008 and 2019 that matched the objectives of the review.
RESULTS
The database search identified 195 articles, of which 43 were retrieved in full text. Seven articles were included, involving 2076 women. All studies were quantitative. The included studies were heterogeneous. Four studies showed inconsistent findings regarding a link between sexual abuse and chronic or acute pain. Two studies showed an association between sexual abuse and increased incidence of somatic symptoms. One study showed an association between sexual abuse and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. No specific somatic symptoms in somatization were identifiable within the scope of this study.
CONCLUSIONS
This is to our knowledge the first scoping review on sexual abuse and symptoms of somatization. The findings suggest a link between sexual abuse and somatic symptoms, but the identified association with pain and irritable bowel syndrome is inconsistent. No studies have clearly identified specific symptoms within somatization associated with sexual abuse. Qualitative research on the topic was identified as a knowledge gap.
Topics: Chronic Pain; Female; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Sex Offenses; Somatoform Disorders
PubMed: 33423277
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14084 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Somatization is a phenomenon in which the individual experiences physical symptoms attributable to mental projections. It is a widely used term in common parlance to... (Review)
Review
Somatization is a phenomenon in which the individual experiences physical symptoms attributable to mental projections. It is a widely used term in common parlance to figuratively describe a stressful situation. Syndromes directly related to the mind have been described; pathologies are influenced by somatization. However, the extent of somatization is also related to social and cultural factors. In fact, each culture expresses varying levels of somatization characteristic of the country of origin. A disease can even manifest with different symptoms in different ethnic groups. The migration process arises from the need for change on the part of those who undertake it and culminates in the integration of the person in the host country. This process induces changes in the person of a psychological nature, which also affects somatization. In fact, the most integrated subjects show levels of somatization comparable to those of the host country. These considerations support the thesis that psychological changes are an integral part of health and can affect the development of organic and somatized pathologies.
Topics: Humans; Somatoform Disorders; Acculturation; Ethnicity
PubMed: 36498084
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192316011 -
Practical Neurology Dec 2020Liaison neurology (consulting with inpatient ward referrals) is the main way that most patients admitted with neurological disease will access neurology services. Most... (Review)
Review
Liaison neurology (consulting with inpatient ward referrals) is the main way that most patients admitted with neurological disease will access neurology services. Most liaison neurology services are responsive, seeing referrals on request, but they also can be proactive, with a regular neurology presence in the acute medical unit. Fewer than half of hospitals in England have electronic systems, yet these can facilitate the process-allowing electronic responses to advise on investigations before seeing the patient, and arranging follow-up after-as well as prioritising referrals and documenting the process. In this time of COVID-19, there are additional benefits in providing prompt remote advice. Improving the way liaison neurology is delivered can improve patient outcomes and save money by shortening admissions. This hidden work of the neurologists needs to be recorded and recognised.
Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Inpatients; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologists; Neurology; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 32878965
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2020-002655 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2020Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between psychological factors and bruxism. However, the data are often obscured by the lack of precise diagnostic...
Numerous studies have analyzed the relationship between psychological factors and bruxism. However, the data are often obscured by the lack of precise diagnostic criteria and the variety of the psychological questionnaires used. The purpose of this study is to determine the association between awake bruxism and psychological factors (anxiety, depression, sociability, stress coping, and personality traits). With this aim, 68 participants (13 males) completed a battery of psychological questionnaires, a self-reported bruxism questionnaire, and a clinical examination. Based on their scores on the bruxism questionnaire and the clinical examination, subjects were divided into two groups. Subjects who met the criteria for "probable awake bruxism" were assigned to the case group ( = 29, five males). The control group ( = 39, nine males) was composed of subjects who showed no signs or symptoms of bruxism in the examination nor in the questionnaire. The probable awake bruxism group presented significantly higher levels of trait and state anxiety, symptoms of somatization, and neuroticism than the control group. Despite this, and when their problem coping strategies were considered, awake bruxers showed higher levels in Positive Reappraisal ( < 0.05), a strategy generally considered as adaptive. In conclusion, although awake bruxers in our study showed larger levels of anxiety, somatization, and neuroticism, they also displayed more adapted coping strategies, while according to previous data TMD patients (which generally also present high levels of anxiety, somatization and neuroticism) might tend to present less adaptive coping styles. Thus, awake bruxism may play a positive role in stress coping, which would be compatible with the hypothesis of mastication as a means of relieving psychological tension. This finding should be further confirmed by future research comparing TMD patients with definitive awake bruxers and controls and using larger and more representative samples.
PubMed: 33362686
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.564431 -
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica May 2024The aim of this review is to illustrate an innovative framework for assessing the psychosocial aspects of medical disorders within the biopsychosocial model. It is based... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to illustrate an innovative framework for assessing the psychosocial aspects of medical disorders within the biopsychosocial model. It is based on clinimetrics, the science of clinical measurements. It may overcome the limitations of DSM-5 in identifying highly individualized responses at the experiential, behavioral, and interpersonal levels.
METHOD
A critical review of the clinimetric formulations of the biopsychosocial model in the setting of medical disease was performed. References were identified through searches from PubMed for English articles on human subjects published from January 1982 to October 2023.
RESULTS
Clinimetric methods of classification have been found to deserve special attention in four major areas: allostatic load (the cumulative cost of fluctuating and heightened neural or neuroendocrine responses to environmental stressors); health attitudes and behavior; persistent somatization; demoralization and irritable mood. This type of assessment, integrated with traditional psychiatric nosography, may disclose pathophysiological links and provide clinical characterizations that demarcate major prognostic and therapeutic differences among patients who otherwise seem deceptively similar because they have the same medical diagnosis. It may be of value in a number of medical situations, such as: high level of disability or compromised quality of life in relation to what is expected by disease status; delayed or partial recovery; insufficient participation in self-management and/or rehabilitation; failure to resume healthy role after convalescence; unhealthy lifestyle; high attendance of medical facilities disproportionate to detectable disease; lack of treatment adherence; illness denial.
CONCLUSIONS
The clinimetric approach to the assessment of key psychosocial variables may lead to unique individual profiles, that take into account both biology and biography. It may offer new opportunities for integrating psychosocial and medical perspectives.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Irritable Mood; Patient Care; Health Status; Attitude to Health
PubMed: 38303125
DOI: 10.1111/acps.13667 -
The Primary Care Companion For CNS... May 2021To review the published literature over the last 10 years for the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in refractory somatization disorder. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To review the published literature over the last 10 years for the efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in refractory somatization disorder.
DATA SOURCES
A comprehensive evidence search of the published literature in the last 10 years (2010-2020) was conducted using the search terms ECT, electroconvulsive therapy, efficacy, effectiveness, use of ECT, chronic pain, somatoform disorders, somatoform pain, somatic symptom disorder, and somatization disorder. The review was limited to articles written in the English language. Databases searched included PsycInfo, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. A supplementary citation search was also conducted by analyzing the reference lists of identified sources.
STUDY SELECTION
The initial search revealed 31 articles of potential relevance.
DATA EXTRACTION
The studies were analyzed by both authors to obtain clinical information relevant to meeting the objectives of the review.
DATA SYNTHESIS
Five single case studies, 1 case series, and 1 open trial focusing on the use of ECT in somatization disorder were identified for inclusion in the review. There were no controlled trials or systematic reviews, and the evidence collated was of low quality.
CONCLUSIONS
This review indicates that ECT may be an effective treatment option for severe and refractory manifestations of somatization disorder. However, further research is required in the assessment of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of ECT in somatization disorder.
Topics: Electroconvulsive Therapy; Humans; Somatoform Disorders; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34015195
DOI: 10.4088/PCC.20r02807 -
Journal of Psychosomatic Research Dec 2021Difficulties in the assessments of Somatoform Disorders (SD) and Personality Disorders (PD) regarding operationalization, arbitrary thresholds, and reliability led to a... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Difficulties in the assessments of Somatoform Disorders (SD) and Personality Disorders (PD) regarding operationalization, arbitrary thresholds, and reliability led to a shift from categorical to dimensional models in the DSM-5. Empirical research data postulates a continuous level of severity in both groups of diseases. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the overlap between somatization and personality pathology.
METHODS
Until July 2020, we conducted a systematic literature search with PubMed, Web of Science and SCOPUS. We specifically reviewed current empirical data on the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) and Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) and SD. Data was drawn out using predefined data panels. Results were reflected in the context of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) model. Risk of bias was assessed due to blinding, randomization, selective reporting, incomplete data, and attribution bias.
RESULTS
A total of eight studies (N = 2979) met the inclusion criteria. Whereas categorical measures revealed mixed results, positive correlations between SD/SSD and dimensionally measured personality functioning were present in four studies (N = 1741). In three studies (N = 2025) correlations between SD/SSD and neuroticism/negative affectivity (d = 0.22-1.041) were present. Moreover, harm avoidant (d = 0.526 - 0.826) and self-defeating traits (d = 0.892) revealed significant associations with somatization.
CONCLUSIONS
Dimensional personality assessments are highly neglected in patients with SSD and warrant further research. However, in line with the HiTOP model, there is tentative evidence that somatization can be described as an independent personality trait, which shows most striking overlaps with self-pathologies (Criterion A) and the trait of negative affectivity (Criterion B).
Topics: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; Humans; Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Personality; Personality Disorders; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34715494
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110646 -
The Journal of Asthma : Official... Jun 2022Asthma, a common chronic disease in adolescents is impacted by factors affecting quality of life. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial factors of adolescents...
INTRODUCTION
Asthma, a common chronic disease in adolescents is impacted by factors affecting quality of life. This study aimed to determine the psychosocial factors of adolescents with asthma and their parents.
METHODS
The study included 122 adolescents with asthma, 82 healthy controls, and their parents who completed the Asthma Control Test (ACT), Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI).
RESULTS
The mean age was 14.2 ± 1.9 years. ACT score was high and depression was low in patients with good treatment compliance. As the age of the first asthma symptoms/diagnosis increased, somatization, anxiety, hostility and general psychopathology scores increased, as did the somatization score of parents. Parental anxiety score was not related with adolescent BSI scores in the controls but in the study group when it was higher, the anxiety, depression, somatization, and general psychopathology scores were higher. PAQLQ showed that anxiety, negative self-esteem, somatization, depression, and general psychopathology were higher in patients concerned about asthma. Depression and somatization scores were higher in the parents of patients who perceived that "Treatment does not contribute to asthma control." Somatization scores were higher among parents of patients who noted: "Asthma will not pass in the long-term" and "I cannot control asthma."
CONCLUSION
Higher scores of asthma patients who were anxious about the disease and families who were despondent about treatment demonstrate that health care providers should spend more time informing patients and caregivers. Increasing patient treatment compliance during early adolescence will lessen the psychological burden of the disease.
Topics: Adolescent; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders; Asthma; Child; Depression; Humans; Parents; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33722151
DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2021.1903916 -
Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology 2022Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Further, IBS patients experience a high degree of extraintestinal symptoms. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Further, IBS patients experience a high degree of extraintestinal symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this review was to describe the relation between IBS and extraintestinal manifestations and mechanisms and treatments of these extraintestinal manifestations.
DESIGN
The study was performed as a systematic review.
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS
Search terms including extraintestinal manifestations or somatization and IBS were used to scrutinize for publications in Pubmed. In total, 630 publications were identified and 80 were finally included in this review.
RESULTS
About 50% of all IBS patients have extraintestinal manifestations in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms. Somatic pain, fatigue, and sleeping disturbances are most common, and most often described in women. Both extraintestinal manifestations and psychological distress are associated with exaggerated gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired quality of life, and difficulties to treat IBS symptoms. The extraintestinal manifestations render an excess of healthcare costs. Varying etiology and pathophysiology to IBS are discussed, and many patients express a general hypersensitivity. Extraintestinal symptoms are seldom documented at clinical healthcare or included in the assessment of treatment outcomes. A good patient-physician relationship and strengthening of coping mechanisms have rendered less gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological distress, and somatization. Altered lifestyle habits may improve both gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms. Pharmacological treatment, including antidepressant drugs, should be considered when lifestyle advice fails. Teamwork between different specialists and healthcare providers may be of importance in the wide range of symptoms and extraintestinal manifestations.
CONCLUSION
Extraintestinal manifestations are common in IBS patients and is associated with worse suffering and difficulties to treat symptoms. Evaluation and treatment of IBS patients should consider also extraintestinal manifestations and their treatment outcome. Establishment of good relationship, strengthening of coping mechanisms, and education in healthier lifestyle habits are crucial in the management of these patients.
PubMed: 35967918
DOI: 10.1177/17562848221114558 -
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology Jun 2021Helplessness and hopelessness are transdiagnostic and aggravating factors of mental ill health, but their relation with somatization is not well documented. The main...
Helplessness and hopelessness are transdiagnostic and aggravating factors of mental ill health, but their relation with somatization is not well documented. The main objectives were to identify somatic symptoms that are particularly associated with helplessness, referred to as somatic symptoms of helplessness (SS-He), and hopelessness, referred to as somatic symptoms of hopelessness (SS-Ho), determine increased risk of helplessness and hopelessness if having these symptoms and a certain number of these symptoms, and determine sensitivity and specificity in identifying helplessness and hopelessness based on number of these symptoms in a general Swedish sample. Population-based data from validated questionnaire instruments were used from 3,210 participants who constituted case groups of helplessness and hopelessness, and corresponding reference groups. Among 15 common somatic symptoms, five SS-He (e.g., feeling tired/having low energy) and five SS-Ho (e.g., dizziness) were identified, showing increased risk of helplessness and hopelessness that ranged from the factor 1.73 to 2.58 and from 1.44 to 1.92, respectively, which decreased considerably when controlled for depression and anxiety. The risk of helplessness increased by the factor 1.49 for each additional SS-He, and by 1.38 for each SS-Ho. A cutoff of two/three or more SS-He showed a sensitivity of 81.7/63.7% and a specificity of 40.6/61.4% in identifying helplessness, and 77.4/54.6% and 40.4/66.1%, respectively, in identifying hopelessness based on two/three or more SS-Ho. Primary care clinicians may consider further investigation of helplessness and hopelessness as well as depression and anxiety if presenting with these symptoms.
Topics: Affect; Anxiety; Depression; Emotions; Humans; Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33615490
DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12713