Page 60 - JCBP-1-2

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Somatization symptoms of outpatient

The GAD-7 and PHQ-9 are commonly used as self-report had mild symptoms, 399 (53.1%) had moderate symptoms,
tools to evaluate the severity of anxiety and depression. and 99 (13.0%) had severe symptoms.
A patient with a score of five or higher was identified as
suffering from anxiety or depression. 3.2. Positive rates of somatization symptoms in
affected patients based on PHQ-15 responses
2.2.3. Chinese version of PHQ-15
Table 1 presents data on 752 patients with somatization
Somatization symptoms were assessed using the somatic symptoms, of which 4851 positive PHQ-15 symptom items
symptom module of the PHQ-15 , which takes into were detected, comprising 3424 items with a score of 1 and
[18]
account the most prevalent DSM-IV somatization disorder 1427 items with a score of 2. Symptoms with more than
somatic symptoms. Subjects were asked to rate the severity 50% positive rate were sleep disorder, chest pain, headache,
of 13 symptoms with 0 (“not bothered at all”), 1 (“bothered dyspnea, palpitation, dizziness, nausea, flatulence, or
a little”), or 2 (“bothered a lot”) during the 4 weeks before dyspepsia. Conversely, symptoms with < 10% positive
answering the questionnaires. Two additional physical rate were menstrual problems or cramps, sexual pain, or
symptoms – feeling tired or having little energy and dysfunction.
trouble sleeping – were included in the PHQ-9 depression
module. Their responses were coded as 0 (“not at all”), 1 3.3. Comparison of general demographic data in
(“several days”), or 2 (“more than half the days” or “nearly patients with different degrees of somatization
every day”). The total PHQ-15 score ranges from 0 to 30, symptoms
and scores of ≥5, ≥10, and ≥15 represent mild, moderate, Table 2 presents an overview of the comparison among
and severe levels of somatization, respectively. patients with different degrees of somatization symptoms.

2.3. Statistical analysis There was no significant difference in the average age,
marital status, education level, employment status, duration
All data were analyzed with SPSS version 17.0 (IBM, of illness, and comorbidities. However, a significant
Armonk, NY). Quantitative data are expressed as
mean ± standard deviation, whereas categorical data are Table 1. Prevalence of somatization symptoms in affected
expressed as rank or percentage. For normally distributed patients based on PHQ‑15 responses
quantitative data, one-way analysis of variance was used
to compare the mean between groups. Chi-square test Somatization symptoms Bothered Bothered Total
a little
a lot
was used to compare the categorical data and ratios. (score=1) (score=2) positive
rate (%)
Linear correlation analysis was adopted for examining the
two-variable relationship, and step-wise logistic regression Stomach pain 242 132 49.7
analysis coupled with the forward conditional method was Back pain 217 120 44.8
used for multivariate analysis. A two-sided P < 0.05 was Pain in arms, legs, or joints 140 93 31.1
considered statistically significant. Menstrual problems or cramps* 36 4 8.5
Headaches 382 127 67.7
3. Results
Chest pain 429 143 76.1
3.1. Occurrence of anxiety or depression and Dizziness 285 95 50.6
somatic symptoms Fainting spells 82 39 16.1
A significant majority of the 808 patients selected for this Feeling your heart pound or 199 98 62.79
study manifested symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. race
Specifically, 70.7% had anxiety symptoms, and 76.2% had Shortness of breath 368 118 64.6
depression symptoms. Of those with depression symptoms, Pain during sexual intercourse 30 5 4.65
60.0% of them also had anxiety symptoms, adding to Constipation or diarrhea 129 60 25.2
82.3% of the total selected patients displaying symptoms Nausea, flatulence, or dyspepsia 294 85 50.4
of anxiety and/or depression. In addition, somatization
symptoms were identified in 752 patients (93.1%). Feeling tired or having low 203 115 42.3
energy
In the patients with somatization symptoms, the average Trouble sleeping 388 193 77.3
score on the PHQ-15 was 8.04 ± 2.67. Of these patients, Number of positive symptom 3424 1427
636 patients (78.7%) were also experiencing symptoms of items
anxiety or depression. The patients were then divided into Note: *Only women were asked about menstrual symptoms. PHQ-15:
three categories based on their PHQ-15 score: 254 (33.8%) Patient health questionnaire-15.

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2023) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcbp.0636