Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background -</p> <p>Somatic symptoms are a common reason for visits to the family physician. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between non-specific symptoms and changes in emotional well-being and the degree to which the physician cons...

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Main Authors: Blumberg Gari, Kotliroff Andy, Matalon Andre, Yaphe John, Kitai Eliezer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-07-01
Series:BMC Family Practice
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/12/77
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author Blumberg Gari
Kotliroff Andy
Matalon Andre
Yaphe John
Kitai Eliezer
author_facet Blumberg Gari
Kotliroff Andy
Matalon Andre
Yaphe John
Kitai Eliezer
author_sort Blumberg Gari
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background -</p> <p>Somatic symptoms are a common reason for visits to the family physician. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between non-specific symptoms and changes in emotional well-being and the degree to which the physician considers the possibility of mental distress when faced with such patients.</p> <p>Methods -</p> <p>Patients who complained of two or more symptoms including headache, dizziness, fatigue or weakness, palpitations and sleep disorders over one year were identified from the medical records of a random sample of 45 primary care physicians. A control group matched for gender and age was selected from the same population. Emotional well-being was assessed using the MOS-SF 36 in both groups.</p> <p>Results -</p> <p>The study group and the control group each contained 110 patients. Completed MOS questionnaires were obtained from 92 patients, 48 patients with somatic symptoms and 44 controls. Sixty percent of the patients with somatic symptoms experienced decreased emotional well being compared to 25% in the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.00005). Symptoms of dizziness, fatigue and sleep disturbances were significantly linked with mental health impairments. Primary care physicians identified only 6 of 29 patients (21%) whose responses revealed functional limitations due to emotional problems as suffering from an emotional disorder and only 6 of 23 patients (26%) with a lack of emotional well being were diagnosed with an emotional disorder.</p> <p>Conclusions -</p> <p>Non-specific somatic symptoms may be clues to changes in emotional well-being. Improved recognition and recording of mental distress among patients who complain of these symptoms may enable better follow up and treatment.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-403f5985cb73447fa7a5427b46ddc9e82022-12-22T01:20:32ZengBMCBMC Family Practice1471-22962011-07-011217710.1186/1471-2296-12-77Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-beingBlumberg GariKotliroff AndyMatalon AndreYaphe JohnKitai Eliezer<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background -</p> <p>Somatic symptoms are a common reason for visits to the family physician. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between non-specific symptoms and changes in emotional well-being and the degree to which the physician considers the possibility of mental distress when faced with such patients.</p> <p>Methods -</p> <p>Patients who complained of two or more symptoms including headache, dizziness, fatigue or weakness, palpitations and sleep disorders over one year were identified from the medical records of a random sample of 45 primary care physicians. A control group matched for gender and age was selected from the same population. Emotional well-being was assessed using the MOS-SF 36 in both groups.</p> <p>Results -</p> <p>The study group and the control group each contained 110 patients. Completed MOS questionnaires were obtained from 92 patients, 48 patients with somatic symptoms and 44 controls. Sixty percent of the patients with somatic symptoms experienced decreased emotional well being compared to 25% in the control group (<it>p </it>= 0.00005). Symptoms of dizziness, fatigue and sleep disturbances were significantly linked with mental health impairments. Primary care physicians identified only 6 of 29 patients (21%) whose responses revealed functional limitations due to emotional problems as suffering from an emotional disorder and only 6 of 23 patients (26%) with a lack of emotional well being were diagnosed with an emotional disorder.</p> <p>Conclusions -</p> <p>Non-specific somatic symptoms may be clues to changes in emotional well-being. Improved recognition and recording of mental distress among patients who complain of these symptoms may enable better follow up and treatment.</p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/12/77somaticnon-specific symptomsdepressionanxiety
spellingShingle Blumberg Gari
Kotliroff Andy
Matalon Andre
Yaphe John
Kitai Eliezer
Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
BMC Family Practice
somatic
non-specific symptoms
depression
anxiety
title Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
title_full Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
title_fullStr Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
title_full_unstemmed Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
title_short Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
title_sort non specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well being
topic somatic
non-specific symptoms
depression
anxiety
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2296/12/77
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AT yaphejohn nonspecificsymptomsascluestochangesinemotionalwellbeing
AT kitaieliezer nonspecificsymptomsascluestochangesinemotionalwellbeing