Title: A Study on Demographic Variables in Patients with Somatoform Disorders Conducted at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Psychosomatic Clinic, Vidarbha
Authors: Ratika Sharma, Prakriti Vohra
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i11.56
Abstract
Introduction: Somatoform disorders cause significant emotional distress for patients and are a challenge to physicians. Somatization disorder appears to be more common in women than men. They have been reported to be more prevalent in rural areas and among the less educated people.
Material and Methods: 270 patients with a diagnosis of any of the sub types of somatoform disorders were inducted from those attending the out-patient and in- patient services of deptt. Of Psychiatry affiliated to AVBRH, a tertiary care hospital, Vidarbha. It was a cross-sectional study carried out from October 2010 to July 2012.
Results: Study showed maximum number of patients of age group of 60 to 80 years (48.88%) followed by 40 to 60 years (27.77%) with mild female preponderance (56.67%). The females had comparatively longer duration of somatoform disorder (4.48 years vs. 3.97 years). In our study, majority of patients with somatization disorder were married (88.9%) followed by widow/widower (7.4%); single (4.1%) and separated (1.9%). Also, majority of patients in our study were Illiterate (20.0%); followed by primary educated (10.0%); secondary educated (40 %) and 30% patients were graduates.
Conclusion: Females of middle age are more commonly affected with somatoform disorders and suffer with significantly longer time period.
Keywords: Demographic variables, education status, somatoform disorders.
