Prevalence and correlates of somatoform disorders in the elderly: Results of a European study

Abstract

Somatoform disorders have rarely been addressed in epidemiological and health care services studies of the elderly. The few existing studies vary considerably in their methodologies limiting comparability of findings. Data come from the MentDis_ICF65+ study, in which a total of 3142 community-dwelling respondents aged 65-84 years from six different countries were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview adapted to the needs of the elderly (CIDI65+). The 12-month prevalence rate for any somatoform disorders was found to be 3.8, whereby the prevalence for somatization disorder according to DSM-IV was 0%, the prevalence for abridged somatization was 1.7% and the rate for 12-months somatoform pain disorder was 2.6%. We found a significant variation by study centre (p < 0.005). There was a significant gender difference for pain disorder, but not for abridged somatization. Significant age-related effects revealed for both disorder groups. Somatoform disorders were found to be associated with other mental disorders [odds ratio (OR) anxiety =4.8, OR affective disorders 3.6], as well as with several impairments and disabilities. Somatoform disorders are prevalent, highly impairing conditions in older adults, which are often associated with other mental disorders and should receive more research and clinical attention.

Health Service Use Among Chinese American Older Adults: Is There a Somatization Effect?

“…In conclusion, somatization entails the existence of underlying feelings of depression not recognized by the person, although the person may be aware of all the physical correlates of these underlying difficulties. Despite its small prevalence rate, somatization appeared to be a disorder that affects older adults across countries and cultural groups . Evidence suggests that the somatization effect is particularly salient among older adult immigrants, due to their home country's cultural values and the challenges associated with adaptation to the host culture …”

Quality of life, level of functioning, and its relationship with mental and physical disorders in the elderly: results from the MentDis_ICF65+ study

“…During the interview, participants were also asked for the existence of any medical condition through a specific checklist inquiring for physical disorders (e.g. heart disease, cancer, musculoskeletal disease, endocrinological disorders) also to examine the influence of physical diseases to somatoform disorders [23].…”

Relación entre la Salud Mental y el Nivel de Funcionamiento de las Personas Mayores de 65 Años de la Comunidad de Madrid

“…Previous studies analysing the relationship between mental health of people over 65 years of age and their LoF did not use a diagnostic interview adapted to elderly population, nor did they use a large sample of people over 65 years of age that included the group of people over 75 years (Ausín, Muñoz, Santos-Olmo, Pérez-Santos, & Castellanos, 2017;Volkert et al, 2013). To overcome this limitation, the European MentDis_ICF65+ study Ausín et al, 2017;Dehoust et al, 2017;Volkert et al, 2017aVolkert et al, , 2017bWittchen et al, 2014) was conducted. The European MentDis_ICF65+ study analyses the relationship between physical and mental health in people over 65 with their LoF, using a diagnostic interview adapted to the specific characteristics of this age group.…”