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Making Sense of "Somatization": A Systematic Review of its Relationship to Pediatric Pain

Katelynn E Boerner1,2, Katherine Green2,3, Andrea Chapman1,2

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.

Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|February 14, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric pain and somatization frequently co-occur, but definitions and measurement discrepancies complicate understanding. Further research is needed for a clear definition of somatization in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Childhood Health
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Pain and physical symptoms are common in childhood.
  • The role of somatization in pediatric pain is debated.
  • Existing literature on pediatric pain and somatization requires synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically appraise and synthesize literature on the relationship between pediatric pain and somatization.
  • To understand the co-occurrence of pain and somatization in children and adolescents.
  • To identify gaps in the definition and measurement of somatization in pediatric research.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL.
  • Searched for terms related to pain and somatization in children and adolescents.
  • Extracted data on somatization definitions, measurements, and the pain-somatization relationship from 156 eligible articles.

Main Results:

  • Many studies described somatization with a psychological component, but measurement tools varied.
  • Pain is a common symptom in patients diagnosed with Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRDs).
  • Rates of SSRD diagnoses in pain patients were lower than rates of pain in SSRD patients.

Conclusions:

  • Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders and pain frequently co-occur in pediatric populations.
  • Discrepancies in defining and measuring somatization hinder a clear understanding of its relationship with pain.
  • A standardized, measurable definition of somatization is crucial for future pediatric research.
Abstract

Keywords:
mental healthpainsystematic review

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