TY - JOUR
KW - Aged
KW - Aged, 80 and over
KW - Defense Mechanisms
KW - Female
KW - Health Status
KW - Humans
KW - Hypochondriasis/diagnosis/epidemiology/psychology
KW - Male
KW - Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data
KW - Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
KW - Risk Factors
KW - Social Support
KW - Somatoform Disorders/diagnosis/epidemiology/psychology
KW - Stress, Psychological
AU - B. Sheehan
AU - C. Bass
AU - R. Briggs
AU - R. Jacoby
A1 - 
AB - BACKGROUND: The importance of somatization among older primary care attenders is unclear. We aimed to establish the prevalence, persistence and associations of somatization among older primary care attenders, and the associations of frequent attendance. METHOD: One hundred and forty primary care attenders over 65 years were rated twice, 10 months apart, on measures of somatization, psychiatric status, physical health and attendance. RESULTS: The syndrome of GMS hypochondriacal neurosis had a prevalence of 5% but was transient. Somatized symptoms and attributions were persistent and associated with depression, physical illness and perceived poor social support. Frequent attenders (top third) had higher rates of depression, physical illness and somatic symptoms, and lower perceived support. CONCLUSION: Somatization is common among older primary care attenders and has similar correlates to younger primary care somatizers. Psychological distress among older primary care attenders is associated with frequent attendance. Improved recognition should result in benefits to patients and services.
BT - Psychological medicine
C5 - Healthcare Disparities; Medically Unexplained Symptoms
CP - 5
CY - England
IS - 5
JF - Psychological medicine
N2 - BACKGROUND: The importance of somatization among older primary care attenders is unclear. We aimed to establish the prevalence, persistence and associations of somatization among older primary care attenders, and the associations of frequent attendance. METHOD: One hundred and forty primary care attenders over 65 years were rated twice, 10 months apart, on measures of somatization, psychiatric status, physical health and attendance. RESULTS: The syndrome of GMS hypochondriacal neurosis had a prevalence of 5% but was transient. Somatized symptoms and attributions were persistent and associated with depression, physical illness and perceived poor social support. Frequent attenders (top third) had higher rates of depression, physical illness and somatic symptoms, and lower perceived support. CONCLUSION: Somatization is common among older primary care attenders and has similar correlates to younger primary care somatizers. Psychological distress among older primary care attenders is associated with frequent attendance. Improved recognition should result in benefits to patients and services.
PP - England
PY - 2003
SN - 0033-2917; 0033-2917
SP - 867
EP - 877
EP - 
T1 - Somatization among older primary care attenders
T2 - Psychological medicine
TI - Somatization among older primary care attenders
U1 - Healthcare Disparities; Medically Unexplained Symptoms
U2 - 12877401
VL - 33
VO - 0033-2917; 0033-2917
Y1 - 2003
ER -