Somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Sage Publications

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School

School of Medical Sciences

RAS ID

18829

Comments

Mohan I., Lawson-Smith C., Coall D.A., Van Der Watt G., Janca A. (2014). Somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. Australasian Psychiatry, 22(1), 66-70. Available here

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency and characteristics of somatoform disorders in patients with chronic pain. Method: The study took place in the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a rehabilitation hospital. Participants were interviewed using the World Health Organization Somatoform Disorders Schedule (WHO-SDS) version 2.0. Thirty new and 30 current attendees to the clinic were interviewed following referral by pain medicine specialists. Results: Somatoform disorders were commonly co-morbid with chronic pain in the study population. Persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD) was the commonest somatoform disorder. There was a significant difference between women and men suffering from somatic autonomic dysfunction (SAD). Conclusions: The findings of this study confirm that somatoform disorders are common co-morbid diagnoses in patients with chronic pain. Combining psychological treatments with medication, appropriate physical treatments and attending to social issues, may indeed improve the well-being of such patients.

DOI

10.1177/1039856213511675

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