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Raasthøj I, Jarbøl DE, Rasmussen S, Wehberg S, Sætre LMS, Rosendal M, Carstensen TBW. Multiple physical symptoms and coping strategies over the last decade - Knowledge from two Danish population-based cross-sectional studies in 2012 and 2022. J Psychosom Res 2024; 184:111832. [PMID: 38936009 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the prevalence of multiple physical symptoms, coping scores, and associations between multiple physical symptoms and coping in two population-based surveys within a 10-year interval. METHODS A nationwide study on symptoms and healthcare-seeking, the Danish Symptom Cohort, was carried out in 2012 and repeated in 2022. For each survey, 100,000 randomly selected individuals were invited, and individuals aged 20-64 years were eligible for inclusion. Multiple physical symptoms were identified using the 25-item Bodily Distress Syndrome checklist, and coping was assessed with the Brief Approach/Avoidance Coping Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included multinomial and logistic regressions. RESULTS A total of 35,877 were included in 2012 and 18,330 in 2022. Overall, 35.1% reported multiple physical symptoms in 2022 compared with 23.8% in 2012. The mean sum score for approach was lower in 2022 than in 2012 with a statistically significant mean difference of -1.27 (Cohen's d = -0.34), while diversion and resignation scores were significantly higher in 2022 with mean differences of 0.34 (Cohen's d = 0.11) and 0.52 (Cohen's d = 0.17), respectively. Regression analyses showed that lower approach scores and higher diversion and resignation scores were associated with an increased probability of having multiple physical symptoms in 2022, thereby confirming the results from 2012. CONCLUSION Over the decade, symptom reporting may have increased while coping strategies may have changed towards a slightly higher use of avoidance and lower use of approach. It seems relevant to identify modifiable contributing factors in society to prevent an acceleration of symptom reporting and avoidant behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Raasthøj
- The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Dorte Ejg Jarbøl
- The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Sanne Rasmussen
- The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Sonja Wehberg
- The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Lisa Maria Sele Sætre
- The Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Marianne Rosendal
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; The Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Tina Birgitte Wisbech Carstensen
- The Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Zolotareva A, Khegay A, Voevodina E, Kritsky I, Ibragimov R, Nizovskih N, Konstantinov V, Malenova A, Belasheva I, Khodyreva N, Preobrazhensky V, Azanova K, Sarapultseva L, Galimova A, Atamanova I, Kulik A, Neyaskina Y, Lapshin M, Mamonova M, Kadyrov R, Volkova E, Drachkova V, Seryy A, Kosheleva N, Osin E. Optimism, Resilience, and General Self-Efficacy Predict Lower Somatic Burden during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1338. [PMID: 38998872 PMCID: PMC11241252 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12131338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
There is scarce evidence of a relationship between positive and psychosomatic characteristics. This study aimed to examine the associations of somatic burden with psychological resources such as optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy. Russian participants (n = 1020) completed measures of psychological resources at Time 1 and somatic symptoms at Time 2. The results showed that somatic burden decreased with greater levels of optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy. Regarding health and sociodemographic characteristics, female sex increased somatic burden in the model with optimism scores, university education decreased somatic burden in the model with resilience scores, and history of COVID-19 disease increased somatic burden in the models with optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy scores. This study has theoretical and practical contributions. It combines positive psychology and psychosomatic medicine and highlights the value of psychological resource interventions in the treatment and prevention of somatic burden. These findings may be useful for scientists, clinicians, and practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Zolotareva
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Anna Khegay
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Elena Voevodina
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Igor Kritsky
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia; (I.K.); (R.I.)
| | - Roman Ibragimov
- Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 620049 Ekaterinburg, Russia; (I.K.); (R.I.)
| | - Nina Nizovskih
- Department of Psychology, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia;
| | | | - Arina Malenova
- Department of General and Social Psychology, Dostoevsky Omsk State University, 644077 Omsk, Russia;
| | - Irina Belasheva
- Department of General Psychology and Personality Psychology, North-Caucasus Federal University, 355017 Stavropol, Russia;
| | - Natalia Khodyreva
- Department of Psychology, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (N.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Vladimir Preobrazhensky
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Kristina Azanova
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Lilia Sarapultseva
- Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Russian State Vocational Pedagogical University, 620143 Ekaterinburg, Russia;
| | - Almira Galimova
- Department of Theory and Technology of Social Work, Samara National Research University, 443086 Samara, Russia;
| | - Inna Atamanova
- Department of Genetic and Clinical Psychology, Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia;
| | - Anastasia Kulik
- Department of Theoretical and Practical Psychology, Kamchatka State University Named after Vitus Bering, 683032 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russia; (A.K.); (Y.N.)
| | - Yulia Neyaskina
- Department of Theoretical and Practical Psychology, Kamchatka State University Named after Vitus Bering, 683032 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Russia; (A.K.); (Y.N.)
| | - Maksim Lapshin
- Department of Sports Improvement, South Ural State University, 454080 Chelyabinsk, Russia;
| | - Marina Mamonova
- Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution Lyceum 11, 454091 Chelyabinsk, Russia;
| | - Ruslan Kadyrov
- Department of General Psychological Disciplines, Pacific State Medical University, 690002 Vladivostok, Russia; (R.K.); (E.V.)
| | - Ekaterina Volkova
- Department of General Psychological Disciplines, Pacific State Medical University, 690002 Vladivostok, Russia; (R.K.); (E.V.)
| | - Viktoria Drachkova
- Department of Psychology, Saint-Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Russia; (N.K.); (V.D.)
| | - Andrey Seryy
- Department of Psychology, Kemerovo State University, 650000 Kemerovo, Russia;
| | - Natalia Kosheleva
- International Laboratory of Positive Psychology of Personality and Motivation, HSE University, 101000 Moscow, Russia; (A.K.); (E.V.); (V.P.); (K.A.); (N.K.)
| | - Evgeny Osin
- Laboratory LINP2, University of Paris Nanterre, 92001 Nanterre, France;
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Jørgensen T, Dantoft TM, Petersen MW, Gormsen L, Winter-Jensen M, Fink P, Linneberg A, Benros ME, Eplov LF, Bjerregaard AA, Schovsbo SU, Brinth LS. Is reduced heart rate variability associated with functional somatic disorders? A cross-sectional population-based study; DanFunD. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e073909. [PMID: 38326244 PMCID: PMC10860071 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES It has been hypothesised that functional somatic disorders (FSD) could be initiated by sympathetic predominance in the autonomic nervous system as measured by low heart rate variability (HRV). Earlier studies on the association between HRV and FSD are small case-control studies hampered by selection bias and do not consider the great overlap between the various FSDs. The aim of the present study is to assess any associations between HRV and various FSDs and whether chronic stress confounds such an association. DESIGN A cross-sectional general population-based study. SETTING The Danish Study of Functional Somatic Disorders conducted 2013-2015 in 10 municipalities in the western part of Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS A total of 6891 men and women aged 18-72 years were included in the analyses after exclusion of 602 persons with missing HRV data. Various delimitations of FSD (chronic fatigue, chronic widespread pain, irritable bowel and bodily distress syndrome) were identified by validated questionnaires and diagnostic interviews. HRV parameters in time and frequency domains were calculated from successive beat-to-beat heart rate (HR) data using the 'E-motion' HR monitor device during 7 min of supine rest. Chronic stress was assessed by Cohen's self-perceived stress scale. OUTCOME MEASURES Logistic regression analyses were used to calculate possible associations between the various delimitations of FSD and HRV adjusting for chronic stress. RESULTS Persons with FSD had a slightly higher mean HR and lower HRV as measured by time domain parameters, whereas associations with frequency domain parameters were not consistent. Adjusting for chronic stress attenuated associations slightly. CONCLUSION The study supports a sympathetic predominance in persons with FSD, which could not be entirely explained by chronic stress. However, it is not possible to conclude whether the association is a causal factor to or a consequence of FSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torben Jørgensen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Meinertz Dantoft
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Marie Weinreich Petersen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lise Gormsen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Matilde Winter-Jensen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Per Fink
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Allan Linneberg
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Eriksen Benros
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health - CORE, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lene Falgaard Eplov
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health - CORE, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Ahrendt Bjerregaard
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Signe Ulfbeck Schovsbo
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Louise Schouborg Brinth
- Department of Imaging and Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital - North Zealand, Helsingør, Denmark
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Petersen MW, Carstensen TBW, Wellnitz KB, Ørnbøl E, Frostholm L, Dantoft TM, Jørgensen T, Eplov LF, Fink P. Neuroticism, perceived stress, adverse life events and self-efficacy as predictors of the development of functional somatic disorders: longitudinal population-based study (DanFunD). BJPsych Open 2024; 10:e34. [PMID: 38268492 PMCID: PMC10897700 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional somatic disorder (FSD) is a unifying diagnosis that includes functional somatic syndromes such as irritable bowel, chronic widespread pain (CWP) and chronic fatigue. Several psychological factors are associated with FSD. However, longitudinal population-based studies elucidating the causal relationship are scarce. AIMS To explore if neuroticism, perceived stress, adverse life events (ALEs) and self-efficacy can predict the development of FSD over a 5-year period. METHOD A total of 4288 individuals who participated in the DanFunD baseline and 5-year follow-up investigations were included. FSD was established at both baseline and follow-up, with symptom questionnaires and diagnostic interviews. Neuroticism was measured with the short-form NEO Personality Inventory, perceived stress with the Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, ALEs with the Danish version of the Cumulative Lifetime Adversity Measure and self-efficacy with the General Self-Efficacy Scale. Associations were investigated with multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS Perceived stress predicted incident FSD, irritable bowel, CWP and chronic fatigue (odds ratios: 1.04-1.17). Neuroticism predicted incident FSD and chronic fatigue (odds ratios: 1.03-1.16). ALEs predicted incident FSD, CWP and chronic fatigue (odds ratios: 1.06-1.18). An increase in perceived stress from baseline to follow-up was associated with incident FSD, irritable bowel, CWP and chronic fatigue (odds ratios: 1.05-1.22). Contrary, an increase in self-efficacy seemed to be a protective factor (odds ratios: 0.89-0.99). CONCLUSIONS High neuroticism, high perceived stress and a high number of ALEs are risk factors for the development of FSD. Particularly perceived stress seems to be an important contributor to the onset of FSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Weinreich Petersen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Tina Birgitte Wisbech Carstensen
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kaare Bro Wellnitz
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva Ørnbøl
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Frostholm
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas Meinertz Dantoft
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Torben Jørgensen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg/Frederiksberg Hospital, Frederiksberg, Denmark; and Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Copenhagen University, Denmark
| | - Lene Falgaard Eplov
- Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health – CORE, Mental Health Center Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Per Fink
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders and Psychosomatics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Denmark
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Jongsma K, Darboh BS, Davis S, MacKillop E. A cognitive behavioural group treatment for somatic symptom disorder: a pilot study. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:896. [PMID: 38037036 PMCID: PMC10690984 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) presents challenges to the healthcare system, including frequent medical visits, lack of symptom relief experienced by individuals with this condition, high associated medical costs, and patient dissatisfaction. This study examined the utility of a novel, low-barrier, brief cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) group intervention for individuals with SSD. METHODS Participants were referred by their mental health providers or self-referral. Each participant underwent a telephone screen and in-person psychological and neuropsychological screen. Two cycles of the CBT-based group (n = 30), each consisting of six weekly two-hour sessions, were facilitated at a large outpatient mental healthcare facility in Ontario, Canada. The final sample consisted of 13 individuals of whom 11 completed the treatment. Clinical outcome measures were administered pre-, mid- and post-group, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Perceived Stress Scale-4, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Pain Disability Index, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire, and sections of the Patient Health Questionnaire. Six healthcare utilization metrics were collected from electronic medical records at six months pre- and post-group. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine pre- to post-group differences in participants' somatic symptoms, psychological functioning, health, and degree of healthcare utilization. RESULTS When comparing pre- and post- group, we observed reductions in the mean scores for somatic symptom severity, depressive symptomatology, anxiety, perceived stress, and perceived disability related to pain. The change in depressive symptomatology yielded a small effect size (d = 0.30). Further, we observed downward trends across participants' pre- to post-group healthcare utilization, with small effect sizes observed for hospital admission (d = 0.36), days admitted to hospital (d = 0.47), and inpatient consults (d = 0.42). Differences between pre- and post-group measures of somatic symptom severity, psychological functioning, health, or healthcare utilization did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS Current findings provide support for the potential effectiveness of an abbreviated CBT group for individuals with SSD in reducing psychiatric symptomatology. Further research is recommended, including randomized control trials, cost-benefit analyses, and comparisons between abbreviated versus longer-duration treatment programs for SSD. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Jongsma
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Clinical Neuropsychology Service, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Bri Susanna Darboh
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Clinical Neuropsychology Service, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sasha Davis
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Clinical Neuropsychology Service, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Emily MacKillop
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Clinical Neuropsychology Service, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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