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Risk factors for unexplained symptoms after a disaster: a five-year longitudinal study in general practice
Bellis van den Berg1, C Joris Yzermans, Peter G van der Velden
1National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, the Netherlands. bellis.van.den.berg@rivm.nl
Psychosomatics
|February 14, 2009
Summary
Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) increased slightly after a disaster but were not clinically significant. Key risk factors like immigrant status and psychological issues were identified for general practitioners (GPs).
Area of Science:
- General Practice
- Disaster Medicine
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are frequently encountered in primary care settings.
- Over 75% of common symptoms like pain and stomach issues lack a clear medical diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the trajectory of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) in general practice.
- To identify risk factors associated with MUS in the aftermath of a disaster.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of electronic medical records from disaster survivors.
- Utilized a questionnaire survey with 1,216 participants.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in the mean number of MUS was observed in the first two years post-disaster.
- This increase did not reach clinical significance, suggesting limited impact on patient care.
Conclusions:
- Identified immigrant status and psychological distress as significant, recognizable risk factors for MUS.
- The predictive model for MUS demonstrated relatively low sensitivity, indicating limitations in identifying all at-risk individuals.
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