Prevalence of somatisation and psychologisation among patients visiting primary health care centres in the state of Qatar

Medically unexplained somatic complaints are among the most common clinical presentations in primary care in developing countries and they are considerable burden for patients and health care system. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of somatisation in comparison to psychologisation among a sample of Qatari patients who were visiting primary health care [PHC] centres and to investigate the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of somatisers [STs] and psychologisers [PGs]. Method: The survey was conducted among PHC Qatari patients during the period from January to July 2007. About 2,320 patients were approached, of whom 1,689 agreed to participate and responded to the questionnaire. Among the studied Qatari patients, 404 patients were identified for clinical interview. The first stage of the study was conducted with the help of general practitioners, using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The second stage was carried out by a consultant using the Clinical Interview Schedule. A specific operational criterion was used to identify STs and PGs. The prevalence rate of STs among the total studied sample was 12.4%, while the PGs were 11.5%. Among the identified psychiatric cases, the proportion of STs [52%] was higher than PGs [48%]. Most of the diagnostic categories were more prevalent among PGs. The dissatisfaction at work and stressful life events within 12 months before the onset of the presenting symptoms were the three postulated determinants which were significantly more among STs than PGs. The prevalence of somatised mental disorder was little higher than the psychologised mental disorder. The prevalence of somatisation and psychologisation is comparable with other reported studies from the Middle-East and Western countries. Dissatisfaction at work and stressful life events were significantly higher among STs than PGs

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative disorders in an Arabian society

The aim of the study was to determine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with dissociative disorders among psychiatric patients in the population of the United Arab Emirates. Six hundred inpatients with dissociative disorders were approached during the period 1997-2003, and 468 agreed to participate in the study. These patients were recruited from Al-Ain and Tawam Teaching Hospitals and Al-Jahili Primary Health Care Centers in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. The study is based on a questionnaire that included sociodemographic and clinical variables. Dissociative disorders were diagnosed according to the classification set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [DSM-IV] and the International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10] of the World Health Organization. Of the 468 patients studied, the majority [67.9%] were young, under the age of 25 years; 55% were UAE nationals, 59.4% female and 40.6% male. Disorganized movement was significantly lower among females [34.2%] than males [44.2%, p < 0.03]. Disapproving of the key relative behaviour was higher in females [24.1%] compared to males [13.2%]; comorbid anxiety was higher in females [37.4%] vs. males [25.3%]. Disturbed relationships were more common in females [40.3%] while precipitating factors, such as intolerable stressful events, were significantly higher in males [42.6%, p < 0.01]. Furthermore, males [20.5%] had a significantly higher history of similar episodes and other psychiatric illnesses [7.5%] than females. Finally, females [41%] showed more statistically significant improvements compared to males [29.5%, p < 0.001]. Patients under 25 years of age suffered more from dissociative disorders with no correlation to educational level as a predisposing factor. The most common symptoms were fits or unorganized movements