[Somatoform pain disorder and work disability]

Over the past few years, the number of i.v. pensioners has risen drastically. According to BSV statistics the diagnosis for the new pensions was mainly based on psychological disorders and problems with the musculoskeletal system. A large portion of these people with new disabilities are probably suffering from somatoform disorder, whereby the insured person complains about pain for which there are no demonstrable organic findings. The author contests the fact that this condition automatically leads to disability and makes an appeal for stricter, more exacting diagnostic screening: psychiatric co-morbidity must be considered in order to be able to determine the degree of work disability. Due to its multiplicity and inconsistencies, current practice is no longer able to ensure equal handling of all insured persons.