Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
08:33
A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial of Cranial Electrical Stimulation for Fibromyalgia Pain and Physical Function, Using Brain Imaging Biomarkers
Published on: January 5, 2024
Is chronic pain associated with somatization/hypochondriasis? An evidence-based structured review
David A Fishbain1, John E Lewis, Jinrun Gao
1Department of Psychiatry, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. d.fishbain@miami.edu
Pain Practice : the Official Journal of World Institute of Pain
|September 9, 2009
Summary
Somatization and hypochondriasis are linked to chronic pain and may worsen with pain intensity. Effective pain treatment can improve these conditions, with some chronic pain diagnoses showing higher somatization.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pain Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Somatization and hypochondriasis are conditions characterized by excessive focus on physical symptoms.
- Chronic pain affects a significant portion of the population, often with complex underlying factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between somatization/hypochondriasis and chronic pain.
- To investigate the relationship between the degree of somatization/hypochondriasis and pain levels.
- To assess the impact of pain treatment on somatization/hypochondriasis.
- To explore differential associations between pain diagnoses and somatization/hypochondriasis.
Main Methods:
- An evidence-based structured review of 57 high-quality studies.
- Studies were categorized based on the review's objectives.
- Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research guidelines were used to assess evidence strength and consistency.
Main Results:
- Consistent associations were found between somatization and chronic pain (B rating), and hypochondriasis and chronic pain (A rating).
- A correlation exists between pain intensity and the presence of somatization (A rating) and hypochondriasis (B rating).
- Pain treatment demonstrated improvements in somatization (B rating) and hypochondriasis (A rating).
- Certain chronic pain diagnostic groups exhibited higher levels of somatization (B rating).
Conclusions:
- Somatization is frequently associated with chronic pain.
- The degree of somatization may correlate with reported pain levels.
- Pain management interventions show potential benefits for somatization and hypochondriasis.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:25Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
The management of chronic pancreatitis is multifaceted, involving a comprehensive approach that includes thorough assessment, diagnostic testing, and a variety of management strategies.
Assessment:
Assessment:
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: