Diagnostic outcome of patients referred to psychiatry with medically unexplained symptoms: a retrospective study
Afr. j. psychiatry rev. (Craighall)
; 14(1): 45-49, 2011. ilus
Artículo
en Inglés
| AIM (África)
| ID: biblio-1257874
Biblioteca responsable:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Objective:
Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are commonly encountered in medical practice. In psychiatry; they are classified mostly as Somatoform Disorders and are often associated with anxiety and depression. The literature suggests that; in some cases; MUS may be ascribed to Somatoform Disorders when; fact; they are ""organic"" syndromes that are misdiagnosed. In developing countries; with fewer resources; MUS may be more difficult to assess.Method:
We undertook a retrospective chart review to examine the demographics; referral pathway; management and diagnostic outcome of subjects (n = 50) referred to psychiatry with MUS over an 18 month period.Results:
Subjects with MUS accounted for only 4.5of the total number of files reviewed. In only 38of cases did the final diagnosis in psychiatry concur with the referral diagnosis. In 28of cases a new ''organic"" diagnosis was made and in 72of cases a new psychiatric diagnosis was made. Subjects who were diagnosed with ""organic"" illness were seen fewer times prior to referral to psychiatry and were significantly older than other subjects.Conclusion:
In developing countries like SA; a significant number of patients with MUS may have underlying ""organic"" illness; and most may have psychiatric disorders. Patients with MUS; especially older patients; should be more extensively investigated. Psychiatric referral of these patients is very appropriate."
Texto completo:
Disponible
Base de datos:
AIM (África)
Asunto principal:
Trastornos Somatomorfos
/
Estudios Retrospectivos
/
Hospitales Psiquiátricos
/
Trastornos Mentales
Tipo de estudio:
Estudio diagnóstico
/
Estudio observacional
/
Factores de riesgo
Idioma:
Inglés
Revista:
Afr. j. psychiatry rev. (Craighall)
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Artículo