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Health-related life events in patients with somatic symptom disorders: A case control study

Author

Listed:
  • Balaswamy Reddy
  • Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi
  • Geetha Desai
  • Narayana Manjunatha
  • Srinivas Guruprasad

Abstract

Background: The positive association between adverse life events and somatoform disorders is a consistent observation. But no systematic studies have evaluated the relationship between health-related life events (HLEs) in patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD)/somatoform disorders. Aim: To examine the nature and relationship of HLE in patients with SSD and to assess the correlates of HLE. Methods: A total of 50 adult patients with SSD and 50 matched healthy controls from a Neuropsychiatric hospital were recruited. Sociodemographic interview, scale for assessment of somatic symptoms (SASS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and a semi-structured interview schedule to gather information on HLE were used. Results: Patients in the SSD group had a significantly higher number of total HLE in general (4.72 ± 2.63, 3.36 ± 1.92; p = .004), major HLE (1.48 ± 1.45, 0.68 ± 0.94; p = .006), during their lifetime in comparison to controls. Infections, trauma, non-communicable diseases and reproductive system–related diseases were the more common types of HLE in SSD group. Conclusion: Our findings may implicate a role of major HLE of patients and HLE of their family members in the pathophysiology of SSD.

Suggested Citation

  • Balaswamy Reddy & Santosh Kumar Chaturvedi & Geetha Desai & Narayana Manjunatha & Srinivas Guruprasad, 2019. "Health-related life events in patients with somatic symptom disorders: A case control study," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 65(4), pages 265-270, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:65:y:2019:i:4:p:265-270
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764019842278
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