Patients in general practice share a common pattern of symptoms that is partly independent of the diagnosis. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kjeldsberg, Mona; Tschudi-Madsen, Hedda; Mdala, Ibrahimu; Bruusgaard, Dag; Natvig, Bård
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of primary health care. Volume 39:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 184
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Self-report -- symptom reporting -- social security grant -- questionnaire -- general practice; Primary health care -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2021.1913886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0281-3432

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To describe self-reported symptoms among patients in general practice and to explore the relationships between symptoms experienced by patients and diagnoses given by general practitioners. Design: Doctor–patient questionnaires focusing on patients' self-reported symptoms during the past 7 days and the doctors' diagnoses. Setting: General practices in urban and suburban areas in Southeast Norway. Subjects: Forty-seven general practitioners who included 866 patients aged ≥18 years on a random day in practice. Results: The most frequently reported symptoms were tiredness (46%), lower back pain (43%), neck pain (41%), headache (39%), shoulder pain (36%), and sleep problems (35%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence than men for 16 of 38 symptoms ( p < 0.05). The mean number of symptoms was 7.5 (range, 0–32; women, 8.1; men, 6.5, p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that patients who received a social security grant had 59% more symptoms than those who were employed and that people with asthenia and depression/anxiety had 44% and 23% more symptoms, respectively than those with all other diagnoses. The patterns of symptoms reported showed similar patterns across the five most prevalent diagnoses. Conclusions: Patients in general practice report a number of symptoms and share a common pattern of symptoms, which appear to be partly independent of the diagnoses given. These findings suggest that symptoms are not necessarily an indication of disease. KEY POINTS: Patients consulting general practitioners have a high number of self-reported symptoms. The most frequent symptoms are tiredness, lower back pain, neck pain, headache, shoulder pain, and sleep problems. Patients diagnosed with asthenia and depression/anxiety report the highest number of symptoms. Selected diagnoses show similar patterns in symptom distribution. Symptoms are not necessarily an indication of disease.