Detecting Somatoform Disorders in Primary Care With the PHQ-15
Ann Fam Med van Ravesteijn et al.
7: 232
The Article in Brief
Detecting Somatoform Disorders in Primary Care With the PHQ-15
Hiske van Ravesteijn
, and colleagues
Background Up to one-half of all primary care patients with physical symptoms have symptoms that cannot be medically explained. This study tests a new instrument that screens patients for somatoform disorders (medically unexplained symptoms). It tests the instrument among patients at high risk for somatoform disorders, that is, patients who visit the doctor frequently, and those with mental health problems or unexplained symptoms.
What This Study Found The PHQ-15 is a valid and moderately reliable instrument for recognizing somatoform disorders in high-risk primary care patients.
Implications
- Medically unexplained symptoms are a complex problem. The PHQ-15 can help clinicians identify patients at high risk for somatoform disorders.
