Prevalence and correlates of somatoform disorders in the elderly: Results of a European study. Issue 1 (1st February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dehoust, Maria Christina; Schulz, Holger; Härter, Martin; Volkert, Jana; Sehner, Susanne; Drabik, Anna; Wegscheider, Karl; Canuto, Alessandra; Weber, Kerstin; Crawford, Mike; Quirk, Alan; Grassi, Luigi; DaRonch, Chiara; Munoz, Manuel; Ausin, Berta; Santos‐Olmo, Anna; Shalev, Arieh; Rotenstein, Ora; Hershkowitz, Yael; Strehle, Jens; Wittchen, Hans‐Ulrich; Andreas, Sylke
• Is Part Of: International journal of methods in psychiatric research. Volume 26:Issue 1(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-02-01
• Subjects: elderly -- epidemiology -- somatoform disorders; Psychiatry -- Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.890072
• DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-8931

Abstract

Abstract: Somatoform disorders have rarely been addressed in epidemiological and health care services studies of the elderly. The few existing studies vary considerably in their methodologies limiting comparability of findings. Data come from the MentDis_ICF65+ study, in which a total of 3142 community‐dwelling respondents aged 65–84 years from six different countries were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview adapted to the needs of the elderly (CIDI65+). The 12‐month prevalence rate for any somatoform disorders was found to be 3.8, whereby the prevalence for somatization disorder according to DSM‐IV was 0%, the prevalence for abridged somatization was 1.7% and the rate for 12‐months somatoform pain disorder was 2.6%. We found a significant variation by study centre ( p < 0.005). There was a significant gender difference for pain disorder, but not for abridged somatization. Significant age‐related effects revealed for both disorder groups. Somatoform disorders were found to be associated with other mental disorders [odds ratio (OR) anxiety =4.8, OR affective disorders 3.6], as well as with several impairments and disabilities. Somatoform disorders are prevalent, highly impairing conditions in older adults, which are often associated with other mental disorders and should receive more research and clinical attention.