Andy
Senior Member (Voting rights)
Recently registered study
https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=375190Multiple somatic symptoms (MSS) included a range on non-specific symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and abdominal pain, and are expressed in the absence of any clear pathology. MSS are associated with a reduced health status and substantial increase in healthcare utilisation.
A large and diverse group of diagnoses have been suggested labels of these complaints; Somatization Disorder (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-V), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, functional Gastrointestinal disorders and multiple chemical sensitivity have all been associated with the subjective reporting of these symptoms.
There is an importance to focus on MSS in health research, rather than specific diseases or only a few symptoms, for MSS are considered a predictor of negative health consequences, independent of other chronic diseases or psychopathology. For the present study, MSS are identified using the Patient Health Questionnaire-15.
Furthermore, MSS in the context of somatization, remains one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the community.
At present a large proportion of Australians seek help for MSS , which place an exaggerated burden on generalist and specialist services. In addition, the natural course of MSS is unfortunately unfavourable. Comparable stability rates indicate high levels of MSS are as high as depressive disorders and higher than anxiety disorders.
However, to date, limited research of MSS in an Australian community setting has been conducted, notwithstanding many sufferers of MSS do not seek help for their symptoms. Identifying, the prevalence of MSS in the community and related psychological predictors of its development and maintenance remains an important health priority.
The present study seeks to address the following aims:
1. To determine the incidence and prevalence of MSS in an Australian community setting and its relationship with co-morbid chronic diseases, specific illness related cognitions and psychological distress.
2. To determine the stability of MSS over the course of 1 year.
3. To suggest potential psychosocial aetiologies for MSS by studying mind-body and body-mind interactions in these conditions.