6533b832fe1ef96bd129abfb

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Überprüfung der zeitlichen Stabilität medizinisch nicht erklärter Beschwerden und somatoformer Störungen vor dem Hintergrund unterschiedlicher Diagnosekonzepte

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine and to compare the stability of medically unexplained symptoms and somatoform disorders within the context of different diagnostic concepts (SSI4/6, DSM-IV, DSM-V). METHOD: In a 2-stage follow-up study, 620 consecutive patients were first of all screened using the PHQ-15 questionnaire. In the second stage, 308 selected persons were then interviewed in detail. 12 months later, 89,9% of participants could be interviewed again. RESULTS: Medically unexplained symptoms and somatoform disorders showed weak stability coefficients. In regard to Complex Somatic Symptom Disorder (DSM-V), the prevalence rates were smaller than expected. Within a year, they declined drastically. CONCLUSION: The instability of Complex Somatic Symptom Disorder should be taken into account when revising somatoform disorder for DSM-V. In order to improve stability, the time criterion should be extended by the duration of mental preoccupation with the ailments.