ABSTRACT
Aim & Objectives: This cross sectional study was conducted to bring out a better understanding of the link between somatic symptoms and underlying psychiatric conditions in geriatric population of Mangalore city. Material and methods: 200 subjects with the age above 50 years in the outpatient department of hospitals, except the psychiatry wards, and consist of a face to face interview using the standard HADS scale. Result: A total of 105 males and 95 females were interviewed during the study period. The HAD scores of the patients were noted. It was found that in the anxiety sub-scale of the HADS scale 79(39.50%) patients scored less than 8 ('normal') 29(14.50%) scored between 8 and 11 ('borderline abnormal') and 92(46%) patients scored more than 11 ( 'abnormal'). In the depression sub-scale of the HADS scale 79(39.50%) scored less than 8('normal') and 34(17%) scored between 8 and 11('borderline abnormal') and 87(43.50%) scored more than 11('abnormal').In the combined score,71(35.5%) scored less than 8('normal') 54(27%) scored between 16 to 22('borderline abnormal') 75(37.50%) scored more than 22('abnormal'). Among those who were borderline abnormal and abnormal on the HADS scale, it was found that somatic manifestations of underlying depression was found in 64.21% women and 63.81% men. The chief complaints of these patients mostly included dizziness(10.85%), GI symptoms (10.85%), headache(18.60%), menopausal symptoms(17.05%), sleep disturbances (18.60%), general malaise(14.73%) others(9.30%). Conclusion: The present study suggested that somatic symptoms could be due to an underlying psychiatric condition(depression). The patients might present with complain of dizziness, GI symptoms, headache, menopausal symptoms, sleep disturbances, general malaise. While examining a patient, the psychological well-being of the patient should be assessed too. Ageing is another important aspect, and aging patients are more prone to somatisation. This should be kept in consideration while examining a patient.