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Baitha U, Ranjan P, Deb KS, Bauddh NK, Singh V, Kaloiya G, Kumar A, Sahu A. Association of Somatic Symptom Severity With Sociodemographic Parameters In Patients With Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Tertiary Care Center in India. Cureus 2020; 12:e9250. [PMID: 32821596 PMCID: PMC7430686 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a paucity of studies assessing the severity of somatic symptoms in medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) from Medicine outpatient department (OPD). Methodology This cross-sectional study was conducted in Medicine OPD of a tertiary care hospital in India, in which 245 MUPS-diagnosed patients out of 976 consecutive screened patients were evaluated for the severity of somatic symptoms (by administering the Patient Health Questionnaire-15) and its sociodemographic correlates. Results Out of 245 recruited patients, three-fourth had a significant severity level of somatic symptoms. High level of somatic symptom severity was more common in females (p ≤ 0.001), married patients (p = 0.011), rural dwellers (p = 0.035), less educated (p = 0.003), and those with lower socioeconomic status (p = 0.001). Conclusions Patients with MUPS have a high level of somatic symptom severity with certain sociodemographic correlates. Further research should be conducted to investigate the reasons for this and to formulate a cost-effective treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Upendra Baitha
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | - Piyush Ranjan
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | | | | | - Vishwajeet Singh
- Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | | | - Arvind Kumar
- Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | - Anamika Sahu
- Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
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Baitha U, Deb KS, Ranjan P, Mukherjee A, Bauddh NK, Kaloiya GS, Kumar A, Jadon RS. Estimated prevalence of medically unexplained physical symptoms in the medicine outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in India. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2019; 61:47-52. [PMID: 31710858 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a paucity of scientific evidence from the Indian subcontinent regarding the magnitude and burden of Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS). This study aims to fill the evidence gap by assessing the prevalence and pattern of MUPS amongst patients attending the Medicine Out-Patient Department (OPD). METHODOLOGY The study assessed all consecutive new patients, presenting to the Medicine OPD of a tertiary care center in India over a period of nine months. All consenting patients, between 18 and 60 years of age, irrespective of their reason for consultation were included for the study. The diagnosis in subjects was established by a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and relevant investigations. A diagnosis of MUPS was made in cases with no demonstrable organic cause, and after agreement in the opinion of two independent physicians. All recruited patients with MUPS were subsequently evaluated on a pre-validated symptom checklist of 23 symptoms. RESULTS Out of 976 subjects included, a diagnosis of MUPS was established in 24.6% [95% CI = 21.9-27.3] of the sample. An additional 20.6% met the criteria of persistent MUPS (symptoms >2 months), and 19.7% of subjects had symptom duration of more than three months, meeting the stricter definition for 'persistent MUPS'. Prevalence was significantly higher in females (p = 0.02), and patients of MUPS were significantly younger (p = 0.004) than patients with other diagnoses. MUPS patients on average complained of 13 ± 5 symptoms and sought multiple medical consultations [Median (IQR) = 3 (2 - 6)] in the last one year. Non-specific, general symptoms (94.6%) and various types of pain (93.7%) were the most frequent complaints. Pain symptoms, genitourinary symptoms, palpitation, and nausea were more frequent in females as compared to males. DISCUSSION Medically unexplained symptoms are as common in India as in the west and therefore pose a significant burden on the healthcare delivery systems. There is a need to sensitize the medical fraternity and policymakers for this condition to develop effective services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aparna Mukherjee
- Wellcome Trust- India Alliance, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
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Rao GR, Ranjan P, Chadda RK, Kaloiya GS, Dwivedi SN, Baitha U, Soneja M, Jadon RS. A descriptive study of disability in patients presenting with medically unexplained physical symptoms in a medical OPD setting. J Family Med Prim Care 2019; 8:1755-1759. [PMID: 31198750 PMCID: PMC6559060 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_223_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are quite common in the primary care setting. These unexplained symptoms lead to physical, psychological, and functional disability increasing patient and caregiver distress. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 100 patients attending medicine outpatient department. The data on sociodemographic profile and detailed clinical history were collected. Disability was assessed using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 instrument. Association between qualitative measures was measured by Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and for qualitative measure t-test or Wilcoxon test was used. Results: Most of the patients were young, from urban settings and belonging to lower socioeconomic strata. A mean of 6.54 symptoms per patient was presented with headache as the most common symptom. Average gross disability score in each domain was 1.6 with a major impact on the social and lifestyle-related domain. Conclusion: Patients with MUPS have significant disability especially in the domain of mobility and lifestyle-related activities. The disability is more in females, population dwelling in urban settlements, and population belonging to lower socioeconomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - G S Kaloiya
- Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS, New Delhi, India
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Sharma M, Singh SM, Avasthi A, Varma SC, Sharma A, Suri V. Medically unexplained physical symptoms in patients attending a medical outpatient clinic in a tertiary hospital in North India. Asian J Psychiatr 2018; 32:99-104. [PMID: 29222988 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are commonly seen across health care settings. Earlier studies have focussed on prevalence, cost-utilization and burden. Data from India is scarce. Patients with persistent MUPS have more impairment and psychological distress. This study was designed to assess psychological morbidity, health anxiety (HA), somatic symptom load, disability, quality of life (QOL) in patients with persistent MUPS presenting to a general medical outpatient service and compare it with patients with medically explained physical symptoms (MEPS). METHODS The study was conducted in the outpatient service of the Department of Internal Medicine in a tertiary hospital in North India. Persistent MUPS was defined as physical symptoms of at least 3 months duration leading to dysfunction and with no identifiable medical cause. 70 patients with persistent MUPS and MEPS each were recruited. Psychiatric morbidity was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric interview, somatic symptom load with Patient Health Questionniare-15 (PHQ-15), HA with Whiteley Index, disability with WHODAS 2.0 and QOL with WHOQOL-Bref. RESULTS Both the groups were comparable on socio-demography and length of symptoms. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders and HA was significantly greater in MUPS. Patients with persistent MUPS had significantly more health care utilization, number and burden of somatic symptoms, greater disability and worse QOL. CONCLUSIONS Patients with persistent MUPS have a different profile when compared to MEPS. There is a need to screen and identify patients with MUPS and manage them keeping in mind the psychological factors and chronic nature and number of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohit Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Shubh Mohan Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Ajit Avasthi
- Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Subhash C Varma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Aman Sharma
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 16012, India.
| | - Vikas Suri
- Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 16012, India.
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Menon V, Shanmuganathan B, Thamizh JS, Arun AB, Sarkar S. Efficacy of Adjunctive Single Session Counseling for Medically Unexplained Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian J Psychol Med 2017; 39:641-647. [PMID: 29200561 PMCID: PMC5688892 DOI: 10.4103/ijpsym.ijpsym_73_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are often poorly responsive to standard treatments. AIM The aim of the study is to assess short-term efficacy of adjunctive single session cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)-based counseling for patients with MUS. SETTING AND DESIGN Randomized controlled trial at a psychosomatic clinic of a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with MUS were randomized to receive either the single session counseling (intervention group) (n = 41) or control group which received treatment as usual (n = 35). The counseling intervention focused on three areas - cognitive reattribution, shifting focus, and guided muscular relaxation and lasted around 30 min. The two groups were assessed at baseline and after 1 month for change in outcome measures. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Repeated measures analysis of variance. P value was adjusted for multiple comparisons using Bonferroni correction and set at <0.01 for significance. RESULTS Both groups did not differ on change in the primary outcome measure: Patient Health Questionnaire - 15 scores (P = 0.055). However, at follow-up, the intervention group showed statistically greater reduction in the number of workdays lost (P = 0.005). Trend level changes were noted for depressive symptom reduction only in the intervention group (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS One session CBT-based therapy demonstrates potentially important benefits over standard care among Indian patients with MUS. Further testing in larger samples with longer follow-up periods is therefore recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | | | | | - Anand Babu Arun
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Siddharth Sarkar
- Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Brownell AKW, Atkins C, Whiteley A, Woollard RF, Kornelsen J. Clinical practitioners' views on the management of patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS): a qualitative study. BMJ Open 2016; 6:e012379. [PMID: 28003283 PMCID: PMC5223638 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES By identifying strategies that practicing physicians use in managing patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS), we present an interim practical management guide (IPMG) that clinical practitioners may find useful in their clinical practices and that may help guide future research. DESIGN A qualitative research study based on interview data from practicing physicians with experience in dealing with MUPS and known to the physician members of the research team. A parallel exploration of patient experiences was carried out simultaneously and is reported elsewhere. SETTING 2 urban centres in 2 different Canadian provinces in a healthcare system where family physicians provide the majority of primary care and self-referral to specialists rarely occurs. PARTICIPANTS The physician members of the research team invited practicing family and specialty physicians to participate in the study. RESULTS We characterise the care of patients with MUPS in terms of a 4-part framework: (1) the challenge of diagnosis; (2) the challenge of management/treatment; (3) the importance of communication and (4) the importance of the therapeutic relationship. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the details in the different parts of the framework, we propose an IPMG that practitioners may find useful to facilitate the clinical care of patients with MUPS. The guide can be readily implemented into the practice of any physician who cares for patients with MUPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Keith W Brownell
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chloe Atkins
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Whiteley
- Graduate Program in Communication and Media, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Robert F Woollard
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jude Kornelsen
- Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Menon V, Sarkar S, Thomas S. Establishing a psychosomatic clinic in a low resource setting: Process, challenges, and opportunities. J Neurosci Rural Pract 2016; 7:171-5. [PMID: 26933373 PMCID: PMC4750324 DOI: 10.4103/0976-3147.172157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specialty psychosomatic clinics are a felt need in low- and middle-income countries, but its benefits and challenges have not been reported so far. AIMS To describe the process, challenges, and opportunities that we encountered in setting up a specialty psychosomatic clinic at a government medical college in South India. METHODS The biweekly psychosomatic clinic was located in the Department of Psychiatry and manned by a multimodal team. Structured questionnaires were used to evaluate all patients. All psychiatric diagnoses were made as per International Classification of Diseases-10, clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines. Management comprised both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic interventions. RESULTS A total of 72 patients registered for services in the 1(st) year of the clinic. The mean age of the sample was 36.6 years (range 14-60 years). A median of 2 years and 19 visits to various care providers had elapsed before their visit to the clinic. The index contact was a general practitioner in the majority of cases though an overwhelming majority (95.6%) had also sought specialist care. The most common diagnostic cluster was the somatoform group of disorders (50.0%). Antidepressants were the most commonly prescribed medications (70.6%). CONCLUSION The specialty psychosomatic clinic provided better opportunities for a more comprehensive evaluation of people with medically unexplained symptoms and better resident training and focused inter-disciplinary research. It describes a scalable model that can be replicated in similar resource constrained settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Menon
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
| | - Siddharth Sarkar
- Department of Psychiatry and NDDTC, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shijo Thomas
- Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
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