Abstract
Background:
The positive association between adverse life events and somatoform disorders is a consistent observation. But no systematic studies have evaluated the relationship between health-related life events (HLEs) in patients with somatic symptom disorder (SSD)/somatoform disorders.
Aim:
To examine the nature and relationship of HLE in patients with SSD and to assess the correlates of HLE.
Methods:
A total of 50 adult patients with SSD and 50 matched healthy controls from a Neuropsychiatric hospital were recruited. Sociodemographic interview, scale for assessment of somatic symptoms (SASS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) and a semi-structured interview schedule to gather information on HLE were used.
Results:
Patients in the SSD group had a significantly higher number of total HLE in general (4.72 ± 2.63, 3.36 ± 1.92;
Conclusion:
Our findings may implicate a role of major HLE of patients and HLE of their family members in the pathophysiology of SSD.
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