Symptoms without Medical Explanation associated with depression and anxiety in the general population

Abstract

Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) and depressive and anxious conditions, named Common Mental Disorders (CMD) has been studied, but there are few studies in Brazil. Aims: To estimate prevalence of four MUS (irritable bowel, dyspepsia, chronic fatigue, and dizziness), its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and co-occurrence with CMD. Method: The sample consists of 764 individuals, a subsample clinically evaluated by physicians, from the population survey 'São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey'. Psychiatric diagnoses were obtained through the SCID interview, according to DSM-IV. Information on the presence of MUS were obtained from validated scales in our country. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to study association of MUS and CMD. Results: Half of the sample presented at least one MUS, being more frequent in women, those aged between 35-49 years, 'low average' income and among married people. Chronic fatigue was the most frequent symptom (30.4% in the total sample; 22.9% women; 7.5% men), followed by dyspepsia (26.8%; 19.3% in women and 7.5% in men), vertigo (19.6%; 15% in women and 4.5% in men), and irritable bowel (6%; 4.5% in women and 1.3% in men). There was an association between SEM and depression (RC 3.4; 95% CI, 2.4-4.8) and anxiety (RC 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.0). The likelihood of these common mental disorders increased with increasing numbers of Mus. Conclusion: We confirm the association between MUS and CMD in this sample of the largest Brazilian city, indicating the need of a comprehensive approach in treatment.