somatization disorder (Briquet's syndrome)
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Introduction
A tendency to experience & express somatic distress & symptoms unaccounted for by pathologic findings, to attribute them to physical illness & to seek medical help for them[2].
Etiology
- stressful life events
- psychologic factors
Epidemiology
- usually begins before the age of 30
- females affected more than males
Clinical manifestations
- multiple, often long-standing somatic complaints
- pain complaints, at least 4 sites of pain
- gastrointestinal disturbances, >= 2 GI symptoms
- >=1 sexual symptom
- >= 1 pseudo- neurologic symptom (other than pain)
- chronic, albeit fluctuating, course
- 45% have concurrent anxiety or depressive disorders
- physician shopping is common
- narcotic requests are common
- extensive workups are common
Management
- identification of stressful life event does not alleviate symptoms
- treat anxiety &/or depression
- regular scheduled contact with a single caring physician
- education, stress management & reassurance
More general terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 1105-1107
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Journal Watch 21(17):141, 2001 Schilte et al BMJ 323:86, 2001
- ↑ UCLA Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board Review, Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 12-15, 2001
- ↑ Geriatric Review Syllabus, 7th edition Parada JT et al (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2010
Geriatric Review Syllabus, 8th edition (GRS8) Durso SC and Sullivan GN (eds) American Geriatrics Society, 2013 - ↑ Oyama O, Paltoo C, Greengold J Somatoform disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2007 Nov 1;76(9):1333-8. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18019877