Symptom presentation, interventions, and outcome of emotionally-distressed patients in primary care

Psychosomatics. 2010 Sep-Oct;51(5):386-94. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.51.5.386.

Abstract

Background: Patients with psychosocial problems often present somatic symptoms in primary care.

Objective: The authors compare interventions and outcomes of emotionally-distressed patients by presenting physical disease, somatoform symptoms, or psychological symptoms.

Method: General practitioners (N=191) documented data from 1,286 patients with psychosocial problems. Experts rated the presented reasons for encounter.

Results: Somatoform symptoms, as well as physical disease, result in patients' receiving physical treatments. Psychologically-oriented treatment is more likely with psychological presentation, but not significantly related to somatoform symptoms.

Conclusion: These findings underline the importance of a specific treatment approach for patients with somatoform symptoms, so as to avoid inappropriate treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / diagnosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / psychology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders / therapy*
  • Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy*
  • Stress, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome