Somatic symptom disorders and utilization of health services among Palestinian primary health care attendees: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Many primary health care (PHC) clients come in with medically unexplained complaints, leading to frequent consultations and high usage of services and healthcare costs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) among PHC attendees and explore its relation to other mental conditions and risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional design was used to interview 400 attendees. Men and women aged over 18 years old without a psychiatric diagnosis were invited to participate. The Somatization scale of the Four-Dimensional Symptom Questionnaire was used to assess somatic symptom disorders. It is a valid tool to be used in a PHC setting. We used the Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression to explore determinant variables. Results Prevalence of SSD was 32.5% (95%CI = 27.9–37.1%). The most common symptoms were painful muscles (61.5%) followed by back pain (52.3%). Female gender [adjusted OR = 2.1 (95% CI = 1.2–3.7)], chronic diseases [adjusted OR = 2.4 (95%CI = 1.3–4.5)], depression [adjusted OR = 3.3 (95%CI = 2.0–5.5)], and anxiety [adjusted OR = 2.1 (95%CI = 1.2–3.6)] were all associated with SSD. In addition, frequent primary health care attendance was found to be associated with SSD [adjusted OR = 2.4 (95%CI = 1.4–4.1)]. Conclusions SSD significantly higher among females, patients with chronic diseases, clients with anxiety and depressive disorders, and patients with frequent doctors’ visits. Painful muscles and back pain are the most common symptom presented by patients, and this could be used initially by PHC physicians as a signal to consider for screening.

Significant Structural Alterations and Functional Connectivity Alterations of Cerebellar Gray Matter in Patients With Somatic Symptom Disorder

“…Pain symptoms may also reflect underlying structural abnormalities in the cerebellum. Pain is one of the most common symptoms among patients with SSD ( Kurlansik and Maffei, 2016 ; Cozzi et al, 2021 ; Nazzal et al, 2021 ). In this study, the most common complaints among patients with SSD were headache, fatigue, and dizziness.…”

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among elderly primary care patients in Palestine

“…In Palestine, clinicians do not have screening guidelines and rarely use screening instruments. However, numerous visits to primary health care centers (PHC) with physical symptoms are indicators of mental health conditions that frequently go untreated (9). Furthermore, Palestine faces distinct difficulties with movement restrictions imposed by the Occupation and a dearth of mental health services, making this study crucial.…”

Cyberchondria, but not preventive behavior, mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden: Evidence from Russia

“…Also, it seemed obvious to suggest that both cyberchondria and preventive behavior positively mediate the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden (H2). This hypothesis was based on the relationship between cyberchondria and somatic burden found before the pandemic ( 40 ), and the fact that frequent primary health care attendance is typical for persons with somatic symptom disorder ( 41 ). The proposed multiple mediation model is presented in Figure 1 .…”