Prevalence of somatisation and psychologisation among patients visiting primary health care centres in the State of Qatar

Background: Medically unexplained somatic complaints are among the most common clinical presentations in primary care in developing countries and they are considerable burden for patients and health care system. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of somatisation in comparison to psychologisation among a sample of Qatari patients who were visiting primary health care (PHC) centres and to investigate the clinical and socio-demographic characteristics of somatisers (STs) and psychologisers (PGs). Method: The survey was conducted among PHC Qatari patients during the period from January to July 2007. About 2,320 patients were approached, of whom 1,689 agreed to participate and responded to the questionnaire. Among the studied Qatari patients, 404 patients were identified for clinical interview. The first stage of the study was conducted with the help of general practitioners, using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The second stage was carried out by a consultant using the Clinical Interview Schedule. A specific operational criterion was used to identify STs and PGs. Results: The prevalence rate of STs among the total studied sample was 12.4%, while the PGs were 11.5%. Among the identified psychiatric cases, the proportion of STs (52%) was higher than PGs (48%). Most of the diagnostic categories were more prevalent among PGs. The dissatisfaction at work and stressful life events within 12 months before the onset of the presenting symptoms were the three postulated determinants which were significantly more among STs than PGs. Conclusion: The prevalence of somatised mental disorder was little higher than the psychologised mental disorder. The prevalence of somatisation and psychologisation is comparable with other reported studies from the Middle-East and Western countries. Dissatisfaction at work and stressful life events were significantly higher among STs than PGs

Somatized mental disorder among primary care Arab patients: I. Prevalence and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of somatized mental disorder (SMD) in comparison to psychologized mental disorder (PMD) among a sample of primary health care (PHC) Arab patients, and to investigate the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of SMD. The first stage of study was conducted by general practitioners (GPs), using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The second stage was carried out by a psychiatrist using the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS) and an inquiry schedule. Specific operational criteria were used to identify SMD and PMD. The estimated prevalence rate of SMD among the total screened sample was 12%. SMD patients constituted 48% of the psychiatric patients identified, whereas, for the PMD group, this figure was 42%. Educational level was significantly lower in the SMD group. Headache, backache, and abdominal pain were the most commonly presented somatic symptoms. The symptoms pursued a chronic and persistent course and most patients experienced multiple symptoms. The most common ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses among both SMD and PMD patients were mixed anxiety and depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and mood and adjustment disorders. Recurrent depressive disorder and dysthymia were significantly more prevalent in the PMD group. The severity of psychiatric illness identified was greater among psychologizers than the somatizers of mental disorder. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc

Psychiatric morbidity among hypertensive men: A controlled study

A study group of 39 hypertensive male patients and 36 healthy male control patients were recruited for this study, done in a primary health care (PHC) centre in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The aim was to determine the prevalence and nature of psychiatric morbidity among the hypertensive group compared with the control group. A preliminary interview for recording medical history and sociodemographic data was carried out by PHC physicians. This was followed by a psychiatric interview by a psychiatrist using the Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS). Psychiatric diagnoses for identified cases were recorded in accordance with ICD-10 criteria. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity between the hypertensive group (17.9%) and the healthy group (5.6%). This is against the hypothesis that chronic medical illnesses are associated with higher psychiatric morbidity. The psychiatric morbidity identified consisted mainly of generalized anxiety disorder, depressive episode, and mixed anxiety and depressive disorders. There were no significant differences in the mean scores of the CIS-reported psychiatric symptoms between the two groups

The prevalence and correlates of depression and anxiety in a sample of diabetic patients in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Type 2 diabetes is very prevalent in the Gulf region, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which has the second highest prevalence in the world. Factors contributing to this include changes in diet, adoption of sedentary lifestyles, and the consequent increase in rates of obesity. These changes are primarily due to rapid economic development and affluence. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress and its correlates in diabetic patients in the United Arab Emirates.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Patients diagnosed with diabetes attending diabetes mini-clinics in the primary health care centres or hospitals of Sharjah were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Patients were interviewed using structured questionnaires to gather data on socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, diabetes complications, and medication usage. The K6 was administered as a screening tool for mental health concerns.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three hundred and forty-seven participants completed the interview. The majority of participants were females (65.4%) and the mean age was 53.2 (sd = 14.6). Approximately 12.5% of patients obtained a score of 19 or above (cut-off score) on the K6, indicating possible mental health concerns. Twenty-four percent had diabetes complications, mainly in the form of retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease and peripheral neuropathy. A significant relationship was found between scores on the K6, these complications of diabetes and the use of oral hypoglycemic and lipid lowering therapies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results of this study demonstrate a strong correlation between mental health status and diabetic complications. In particular, patients who are depressed tended to have poorer self-care, more severe physical symptoms and were less likely to adhere to prescribed care regimens. These findings raise the possibility that improving the mental health as part of a comprehensive management plan for diabetes may improve the overall long term outcomes of these patients.</p