Laterality in somatization in a group of arab muslim patients

ABSTRACT

The lateralized pattern of somatic symptoms is controversial and most Western and Far East studies detected more symptoms on the left side of the body, especially pain. Additional studies are needed to determine left or right predominance of psychogenic somatic symptoms. Seventy-six right handed Arab Muslim patients with depressive disorders, anxiety disorder and somatization disorder were examined for the lateralized distribution of somatic symptoms in their body and its relationship to diagnosis. Somatic symptoms were presented more on the left side than the right side. There was no significant difference between right sided and left sided group in sociodemographic variables, such as age, gender, marital status and education. Chest and upper limb pain were significantly more on the left side, while neurological symptoms [weakness and numbness] were more significant on the right side. The results revealed that somatization is not a simply lateralized, but reflects a complex interaction of many factors and culture plays a major role in determining the lateralized pattern