Atribución de síntomas en pacientes con síntomas médicamente inexplicables. Un estudio de validación y desarrollo de la escala / Symptom attribution in patients with medically unexplained symptoms. A scale development and validation study

Resumen Introducción: En la atención de pacientes con síntomas físicos médicamente no explicables (SFMNE) es importante lo que el paciente piensa de sus síntomas. Objetivo: Validar propiedades psicométricas de una escala de atribución del síntoma en pacientes con SFMNE y verificar su confiabilidad. Métodos: Se entrevistó a una muestra no probabilística de 400 pacientes adultos, hombres y mujeres, en la consulta de un hospital con medicina familiar, 200 con SFMNE y 200 con patología orgánica concreta. Se diagnosticó a cada grupo con criterios definidos y se aplicó una escala con validez de contenido y de constructo por medio de análisis de componentes principales con rotación varimax. Resultados: La escala quedó integrada por 12 reactivos con dos factores, uno de atribución psicosocial y otro de atribución orgánica del síntoma. El factor de origen psicosocial tuvo una varianza de 49.7 %. La prueba de bondad de ajuste mostró que la matriz de correlaciones fue adecuada y la prueba de esfericidad de Bartlett indicó significación estadística (p < 0.0001); el alfa de Cronbach fue de 0.841. Conclusión.: La escala mostró una validez de constructo aceptable y buena confiabilidad y estabilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la investigación de mediciones futuras.

Abstract Introduction: In the care of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) it is important what they think about their symptoms. Objective: To validate the psychometric properties of a symptom attribution scale in patients with MUPS and to verify its reliability. Methods: A non-probabilistic sample of 400 male and female adult patients were interviewed in the outpatient services of a family medicine hospital, 200 with MUPS and 200 with a defined organic pathology. Each group was diagnosed with defined criteria, and a scale with content and construct validity was applied by means of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Results: The scale was made up of 12 items with two factors, one of symptom psychosocial attribution and others with organic attribution. The psychosocial-origin factor showed a variance of 49.7%. The goodness-of-fit test demostrated that the correlation matrix was adequate, and Bartlett's sphericity test indicated statistical significance (p < 0.0001); Cronbach's alpha was 0.841. Conclusion: The scale showed acceptable construct validity and good reliability and stability. The implications of these results for future measurement research are discussed.

Determination of anxiety levels of turkish university students and affecting factors in COVID-19 pandemic: sample of a private university

INTRODUCTION: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences have created anxiety in various segments of society. In particular, the transition to online education brought by this process has made the education process of university students difficult. Therefore, in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to examine the anxiety levels of university students and their relationship with somatic symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To examine the level of generalised anxiety disorder and to reveal the relationship between somatic symptoms and the generalised anxiety disorder level of Turkish university students. METHODS: Empirical research. Participants in the research constituted a total of 605 students studying at a private university in Istanbul. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to collect data. Data were analysed using the chi-square test and Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: It was found that, among the participants, 193 (31.90%) of the students had mild anxiety, 149 (24.63%) had moderate anxiety and 121 (20.00%) had severe anxiety. The study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between the number of somatic symptoms and generalised anxiety disorder scores of university students. CONCLUSION: Most of the university students are affected by anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and this effect is correlated with the frequency of somatic symptoms. In this context, it would be beneficial for universities to plan for acute and long-term psychological services and to cooperate with the government to provide timely crisis-oriented psychological services.

Caracterización sociodemográfica y clínica psiquiátrica de pacientes con síntomas médicamente inexplicables en una institución prestadora de salud de Medellín (Colombia) / Sociodemographic Characterization and Psychiatric Symptoms of Patients with Medically Unexplained Symptoms in a Healthcare Institution in Medellin (Colombia)

RESUMEN Introducción: Se define como síntoma médicamente inexplicado los síntomas físicos de varias semanas de duración cuya adecuada evaluación médica no revele alguna enferme dad que los explique; cuando estos síntomas se tornan persistentes, llevan a exploraciones clínicas exhaustivas y múltiples intervenciones. Estos pacientes tienen un deterioro mayor, o al menos comparable en cuanto a funcionamiento físico, salud mental y percepción nega tiva de su salud, que los pacientes con múltiples enfermedades médicas crónicas; tienen significativamente más eventos estresantes vitales (abuso psicológico, físico y/o sexual) y más probabilidades de cumplir criterios diagnósticos de ansiedad y depresión. Objetivo: Caracterizar sociodemográfica y psiquiátricamente un grupo de pacientes identi ficados en atención primaria con síntomas médicamente inexplicados. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal de pacientes de 18-70 años, a quienes se aplicó el PHQ-15, el PHQ-9 y el PHQ para ansiedad y una encuesta diseña para la investigación. Resultados: Se analizó a 36 pacientes, el 94,4% mujeres, con una mediana de edad de 45 [20] años; el 33,3% de ellas estaban casadas y el 91,7% tenía hijos. El 55% tenía síntomas somáticos funcionales graves, el 77,8% tenía 1 o más trastornos somáticos funcionales y el 77,7% presentaba síntomas afectivos o ansiosos de relevancia clínica. El 25% de los pacientes reportaron antecedente de maltrato en la infancia; el 41,7%, maltrato de pareja, y el 41,6% había sido víctima del conflicto armado colombiano. Conclusiones: El principal hallazgo de este estudio fue que cerca de 8 de cada 10 pacientes cumplían criterios de un trastorno somático funcional con gran intensidad sintomática, y cerca de 3 de cada 10 pacientes cumplían criterios de 2 trastornos funcionales, la mayoría de estos pacientes sin otras enfermedades médicas de base. Además, en estos pacientes se encontró alta prevalencia de exposición a diferentes tipos de violencia a lo largo de la vida.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Medically unexplained symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have been present for several weeks and that an adequate medical evaluation has not revealed any disease that explains them; when these symptoms become persistent, they lead to comprehensive clinical investigations and multiple interventions. These patients have a greater or at least comparable commitment to physical functioning, mental health, and negative health perception than patients with multiple chronic medical conditions; have significantly more stressful life events (psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse) and are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depression. Objective: To characterize sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of a group of patients identified in primary care with medically unexplained symptoms. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study with patients from 18 to 70 years old who were given PHQ-15, PHQ-9 and PHQ for anxiety, and a survey designed for the study. Results: 36 patients were analysed, 94.4% women, median age 45 [RIC, 20] years-old, 33.3% married, 91.7% had children. 55% had severe functional somatic symptoms, 77.8% had one or more functional somatic disorders, and 77.7% had clinically relevant affective or anxiety symptoms. 25% of the patients reported a history of child abuse, 41.7% were mistreated by a partner, and 41.6% were victims of the Colombian armed conflict. Conclusions: The main finding of this study was that 8 out of 10 patients met criteria for a functional somatic disorder with great symptomatic severity and three out of ten patients met criteria for two functional disorders, most of these patients without otherbasic medical diseases. In addition, we found a high prevalence of exposure to different types of violence that these patients have been subjected to throughout their life.

Terapia morfoanalítica nos transtornos de sintomas somáticos / Morphoanalytic therapy in somatic symptom disorders / Terapia morfoanalítica en los trastornos de síntomas somáticos

A Terapia Morfoanalítica (TM) é uma terapia psicocorporal analítica que possibilita a integração das experiências psicoafetivas a partir do corpo. Permite compreender o componente psíquico da manifestação física, bem como a somatização do fenômeno psíquico. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o efeito da TM em pessoas com transtornos de sintomas somáticos, além de observar o impacto desta terapia na vida pessoal destes indivíduos. Trata-se de um Estudo de Caso de dois indivíduos. Foram realizadas 24 sessões de TM, uma vez por semana, com duração de uma hora. As avaliações constituíram-se de coleta de dados pessoais e antropométricos, nível de dor e flexibilidade muscular, bem como avaliação da presença de ansiedade, depressão e alexitimia, por meio de questionários. Também foi realizada avaliação da modulação autonômica. A evolução psicoemocional foi acompanhada no decorrer de todo tratamento morfoanalítico. A eficácia da TM foi observada tanto nos índices emocionais, quanto físicos. Isso demonstra a efetividade desta modalidade terapêutica, que associa os trabalhos corporais com o trabalho verbal analítico, na melhor integração psicossomática.

Morphoanalytic Therapy (MT) is an analytical psycho-corporal therapy that enables the integration of psycho-affective experiences from the body. It allows us to understand the psychic component of physical manifestation as well as the somatization of the psychic phenomenon. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MT in people with somatic symptom disorder, in addition to observe the impact of this therapy on the personal life of these individuals. This is a case study of two individuals. Twenty-four MT sessions were performed once a week, lasting one hour each. The evaluations consisted of personal and anthropometric data collection, pain level and muscular flexibility, as well as of the presence of anxiety, depression and alexithymia, through questionnaires. Autonomic modulation was also evaluated. The psychoemotional evolution was followed during all morphoanalytic treatment. The efficacy of MT was observed in emotional and physical indexes. This demonstrates the effectiveness of this therapeutic modality, which associates bodily works with analytical verbal work, in the best psychosomatic integration.

La Terapia Morfoanalítica (TM) es una terapia psico-corporal analítica que posibilita la integración de las experiencias psico-afectivas desde el cuerpo. Permite la comprensión del componente psíquico de la manifestación física, así como la somatización del fenómeno psíquico. Este estudio objetivó evaluar el efecto de la TM en personas con trastorno de síntomas somáticos, además de observar el impacto de esta terapia en la vida personal de estos individuos. Se trata de un estudio de caso de dos individuos. Se realizaron 24 sesiones de TM, una vez por semana, con una duración de una hora. Las evaluaciones se constituyeron de recolección de datos personales y antropométricos, nivel de dolor y flexibilidad muscular, así como evaluación de la presencia de ansiedad, depresión y alexitimia, por medio de cuestionarios. También se realizó una evaluación de la modulación autonómica. La evolución psicoemocional fue acompañada en el transcurso de todo tratamiento morfoanalítico. La eficacia de la TM fue observada tanto en los índices emocionales, como físicos. Esto demuestra la efectividad de esta modalidad terapéutica, que asocia los trabajos corporales con el trabajo verbal analítico, en la mejor integración psicosomática.

Does a robotic surgery approach offer optimal ergonomics to gynecologic surgeons?: a comprehensive ergonomics survey study in gynecologic robotic surgery / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the ergonomics associated with robotic surgery including physical discomfort and symptoms, factors influencing symptom reporting, and robotic surgery systems components recommended to be improved. METHODS: The anonymous survey included 20 questions regarding demographics, systems, ergonomics, and physical symptoms and was completed by experienced robotic surgeons online through American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS). RESULTS: There were 289 (260 gynecology, 22 gynecology-oncology, and 7 urogynecology) gynecologic surgeon respondents regularly practicing robotic surgery. Statistical data analysis was performed using the t-test, χ² test, and logistic regression. One hundred fifty-six surgeons (54.0%) reported experiencing physical symptoms or discomfort. Participants with higher robotic case volume reported significantly lower physical symptom report rates (p<0.05). Gynecologists who felt highly confident about managing ergonomic settings not only acknowledged that the adjustments were helpful for better ergonomics but also reported a lower physical symptom rate (p<0.05). In minimizing their symptoms, surgeons changed ergonomic settings (32.7%), took a break (33.3%) or simply ignored the problem (34%). Fingers and neck were the most common body parts with symptoms. Eye symptom complaints were significantly decreased with the Si robot (p<0.05). The most common robotic system components to be improved for better ergonomics were microphone/speaker, pedal design, and finger clutch. CONCLUSION: More than half of participants reported physical symptoms which were found to be primarily associated with confidence in managing ergonomic settings and familiarity with the system depending on the volume of robotic cases. Optimal guidelines and education on managing ergonomic settings should be implemented to maximize the ergonomic benefits of robotic surgery.

Somatization and health seeking behavior.

Background: Somatization is the state of being symptomatic which is not explained medically associated with psychological distress and health-seeking behavior and is present in at least 10% to 15% in OPD. Methods: 50 patients with long standing history of MUS were evaluated by using modified Bradford inventory. Results: Somatization was most common in younger age, female and lower socio-economical class. Feeling of weakness or lack of energy much of the time in both male and female respectively 94.7% and 96.7% are the most common symptomatic presentation in Somatization during last 2 years, although there were symptomatic differences in males and females. Severity of symptoms was higher among females. 13% of female pts had undergone hysterectomy due to persistent gynecological problems during course of illness. 82% pts had illness of more than 2 years. The mean duration of illness at the time of assessment was 6.8 years. Most of the patients had visited to multiple consultants and underwent many costly diagnostic procedures for their symptoms .Most of the patients after multiple investigations and consultations were not ready to accept psychological origin of their physical illness and continued to see next practitioner as they remained dissatisfied and distressed. One or more physical illness is the common explanation by physicians. Patients presented with somatization has an another diagnosis in significant cases like Major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder. Conclusion: Somatization was common among female, but it was not uncommon in male. Patient suffering from somatization disorder has very high rate of health care utilization and they perceived themselves as severely ill and were willing to undergo multiple hospitalizations, diagnostic studies, and operations, remained dissatisfied. Need to strengthened consultation liaison between physician and psychiatrist.

Case Of Significant Weight Loss And Dysphagia " Due To A Curse"

Objective: This case illustrates how a patient with medically unexplained symptoms was “cured” using symbolic healing rituals of Christianity and traditional Malay black magic. Method: We report a case of a 49-year-old lady who presented with unexplainable weight loss and dysphagia despite extensive outpatient and inpatient medical investigations. She later attributed these symptoms to a “curse” by a Boyanese man with whom she had disagreements. After catharsis with a Roman Catholic priest and cleansing with a Bomoh (Malay witch doctor), the patient’s health improved. Results: We believe this patient had a conversion disorder due to recent multiple stressors in her life and she attributed her symptoms to the “curse” inflicted to her. The symbolic healing rituals by the Catholic priest and Bomoh “cured” her of her illness which concurred with the patient’s own beliefs for her illness. Conclusion: This article illustrates the importance of the physician being familiar with various local traditional beliefs, and how the interplay between various different religions and customs can come together to treat medically unexplained symptoms in a country like Singapore.

A síndrome da fadiga crônica: apresentação e controvérsias / Chronic fatigue syndrome: presentation and controversies / El síndrome de la fatiga crónica: presentación y controversias

Apresentaremos o quadro da síndrome da fadiga crônica, emergente no final da década de 1980, nos Estados Unidos, Canadá e Reino Unido, no contexto de outras síndromes funcionais. Analisaremos o quadro clínico, os sintomas associados a ele e a flagrante dificuldade de encontrar um substrato anatomofisiológico para tal condição. Discutiremos, a partir do exemplo da síndrome da fadiga crônica, os efeitos de legitimidade/ilegitimidade da experiência do adoecimento decorrentes da distinção entre doença somática e doença mental. Analisaremos o processo de busca de explicações reduzidas ao aspecto somático da doença como reação para torná-la digna de apoio dos pares sociais e como forma de evitar associações do quadro com o que seria considerado uma doença psicossomática.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has emerged in the end of 1980, in developed countries as United States, Canada and United Kingdom. We aim to present the chronic fatigue syndrome in the context of other functional syndromes. We intend to analyze its symptoms, and the remarkable absence of an anatomophysiological finding related to this condition. We will discuss, since the distinction between somatic and mental disease, the legitimacy/illegitimacy effects suffered by the chronic fatigue syndrome patient. We will analyze the patient reaction of searching for a somatic explanation to the disease, as a way to turn the chronic fatigue syndrome into a reliable condition, and as a way of avoiding associations with psychosomatic diseases.

Este artículo presenta el síndrome de la fatiga crónica que emerge finales de la década de 1980 en Estados Unidos, Canadá e Reino Unido, en el contexto de otros síndromes funcionales. En el artículo serán analizados el cuadro clínico, los síntomas asociados a él y la dificultad flagrante de encontrar un substrato anátomo-fisológico para tal condición. Discutiremos, a partir del ejemplo del síndrome de fatiga crónica los efectos de legitimidad/ilegitimidad de la experiencia del enfermar resultante de la distinción entre enfermedad somática y mental. Analizaremos el proceso de búsqueda de explicaciones reducidas al aspecto somático de la enfermedad con el objetivo de hacerla digna de apoyo por los pares sociales y como forma de evitar asociaciones do cuadro con lo que sería considerado una enfermedad psicosomática.

La fibromialgia: ¿un Síndrome Somático Funcional o una nueva conceptualización de la histeria? Análisis cuali-cuantitativo

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Summary During the decade of 1880, Paul Briquet made a well detailed description of a syndrome named after him, characterized by a series of unexplainable medical symptoms that appeared in a hideous way, with clinical curse and without the paroxysmal seizures mentioned by Charcot in his description of hysteria. Nevertheless, all the patients that showed these symptoms were diagnosed as hysteric. Nowadays, the clinical scenery is substituting the term of hysteria in favour of its components and giving it different names such as dissociative disorder, conversive disorder, and disorder caused by somatic symptoms of somatoform. Other terms such as "functional somatic syndrome" or "medically unexplainable symptoms" have been added to the list. In spite of these denominations no explanation has been given to the etiology of hysteria. Each medical specialty has to contend with some functional somatic syndrome: gastroenterology presents irritable colon; cardiology, precordial pain; neurology, tensional cephalalgia; stomatology presents tempomandibular dysfunction, and ginecology, chronic pelvic pain. Lumbar pain is present in orthopedia, chronic fatigue in cases of infectiousness, and finally, in rheumatology, there is fibromyalgia. In spite of their differences, these symptoms have some likenesses: they are associated to depression and anxiety, and have a high comorbidity with personality disorders; patients show major emotional distress, they share stories of either psychological, physical or sexual abuse during childhool, and suffer from some type of chronic pain. Although having visited several specialists in their search for explanations and treatment, results have been poor and patients have been labelled, in a pejorative way, as hysteric or hypochondriac. When diagnosed with any of these syndromes, patients' stress is reduced while having to face the invisible, uncontrollable and unpredictable fact implied by suffering from the symptoms that are typical. In particular, fibromyalgia assembles all the characteristics mentioned above. Turk and Cathébras proposed that establishment and exacerbation of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia (pain and fatigue) still constitute and model of respondent conditioning and that repeated exposure to certain stimulus generalizes learning. Also, they affirm that the same symptoms create later a cycle that perpetuates fibromyalgia. Once that symptom have been installed and strengthened, patients avoid all kind of activities, they get involved in legal procedures to obtain leave or else, they look for labour prerogatives. Besides, patients with fibromyalgia show the classic behaviour described for hysteria: "belle indifference", secondary advantages, dramatizing, blaming for their sufferings events which are out of their daily routine, and scarce tolerance. The purpose of this study is to present quantitatively, in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the following agents: symptoms severity, prevalent personality, comorbidity with personality disorders, and degree of severity of depression and anxiety. Qualitatively, we wish to demonstrate the presence of the cycle that sustains the given symptoms. Participants: Ten patients with fibromyalgia participated in our study, 9 women and 1 man, diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, aged 37.9 ± 8.8 and with a medium time of evolution of 3 (2-23) years. Quantitative variables: Physical status and syndrome's severity were assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); for personality, disorders were evaluated with the Revised Personality Diagnose Questionnaire (PDQ-R); depression, with Beck's Inventory, and anxiety with Spielberger's Trait State Inventory. Qualitative theoretical focus: Life experiences narrated by patients in their daily record of events, emotions and thoughts associated with pain, are presented. Procedure: All patients were evaluated individually at the beginning of a cognitive behavioural intervention. Qualitative data was obtained from daily records kept during at least three weeks or a maximum of 12. Texts were transcribed and the words most mentioned were identified, as well as those scarcely reported, thus propitiating descriptive categories. Results: The American College of Rheumatology established as one of the diagnose criteria for fibromyalgia, the presence of al least 11 of a total of 18 hypersensitive sites. Patients presented in average 16.3 ± 2.5 painful sites. Incapability was measured by patients in 2.3 ± 2.2 in a scale of 0 to 3 points; they reported to have felt well 1.1 ± 1.2 days per week; they didn't work 1.0 ± 1.1 days per week. The following measures are reported in scale from 1 to 10 points. Laboural interference was calculated in 7.3 ± 2.3; intensity of pain was 8.1 ± 1.4, day long fatigue, 8.4 ± 1.9, morning fatigue was 8.5 ± 2.3. Rigidity was 7.5 ± 3.0; anxiety perceived, 7.5 ± 2.6 (FIQ), and anxiety state along 12 weeks was 38.5 ± 10.3. Anxiety trait during the same period was 50.9 ± 9.7; perceived depression, 6.9 ± 3.4 (FIQ), and cognitive depression 14.7 ± .5. In the scale of personality it was found that six patients reached punctuations higher than T60 in neuroticism, and two other punctuated below T40 in extroversion. Regarding personality disorders it was found an average for 1.8 ± 1.1 disorders per patient; those more frequent were the following: histrionic (4), borderline (3), passive aggressive (2) and schizoid (2). Qualitative data support the existence of the typical symptoms described for hysteria. Conclusions: According to the results obtained from the quantitative analysis of this group of patients with fibromyalgia, we can conclude that they suffer from a disorder that generates major incapability accompanied of pain and fatigue. Nevertheless, their personality characteristics show that they have high levels of neuroticism with presence of personality disorders and at the same time important levels of depression and anxiety, predominating in the former, anxiety as a trait. Manifestations described by patients in their daily record of events, emotions and thoughts associated with pain and fatigue, confirm the presence of the classic symptoms that typified the construct of hysteria. These patients are vulnerable to their surroundings, have a story of childhood sufferings, and assumed an adult role from a very early age. Symptoms appear to be the only mechanism which at a given moment in life allowed them to get rid of the responsibilities that burdened them from childhood. Unfortunately, this symptom was associated to their environment, according to the laws of learning. It is concluded that fibromyalgia, as nosologic entity accomplishes the characteristics of hysteria, although as etiology it is established by learning.