Systemic Symptoms Associated With Breast Implants: A Psychological Study of Beliefs and Emotions

Systemic symptoms associated with breast implants (SSBI) is a term used to describe a variety of symptoms self-reported by some patients with breast implants.

Authors of recent literature demonstrate a lack of biospecimen findings to explain the systemic symptoms reported. Evidence indicates a proportion of SSBI patients meet criteria for somatic symptom disorder (SSD). SSD describes somatic symptoms that are distressing or disruptive and are accompanied by excessive and disproportionate thoughts, feelings, and behaviors about symptoms. This assessment compares differences in proposed psychological mechanisms underlying SSD between SSBI and control groups that might contribute to SSBI symptoms.

An online survey was completed in-person, prior to meeting with the investigator physician. Eligible genetic females between 22 and 65 years of age were sequentially enrolled in 1 of the 3 cohorts at 8 investigator sites in the United States and the United Kingdom. Demographic data were obtained and validated questionnaires were used to evaluate the relationship between symptoms, beliefs, and experiences.

Three hundred and four patients completed the surveys, including 116 SSBI, 104 non-SSBI, and 84 mastopexy patients. The proportion of participants in the SSBI cohort who met criteria for SSD was 34.5%, which was significantly higher than both control cohorts, with 1.9% in the non-SSBI cohort and 4.8% in the mastopexy cohort (P < .001).

Utilizing 9 validated psychological surveys, patients in the SSBI cohort are significantly more likely to meet criteria for a diagnosis of SSD. These negative thoughts and feelings may contribute to the development and maintenance of SSBI, although longitudinal research is needed to assess these relationships further.