Abstract
This is an evidence-based structured review. Objectives: The objectives of this review were to answer the following questions: (1) Are somatization/hypochondriasis associated with chronic pain? (2) Is the degree of somatization/hypochondriasis related to pain levels? (3) Does pain treatment improve somatization/hypochondriasis? (4) Are some pain diagnoses differentially associated with somatization/hypochondriasis? Methods: Fifty-seven studies which fulfilled inclusion criteria and had high quality scores were sorted by the above-mentioned objectives. Agency for health care policy and research guidelines were utilized to type and characterize the strength/consistency of the study evidence within each objective. Results: Somatization and hypochondriasis were both consistently associated with chronic pain (consistency ratings B and A, respectively). Study evidence indicated a correlation between pain intensity and presence of somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating A and B, respectively). Pain treatment improved somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating B and A, respectively). Some chronic pain diagnostic groups somatized more (consistency rating B). Conclusions: Somatization is commonly associated with chronic pain and may relate to pain levels.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 449-467 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Pain Practice |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2009 |
Keywords
- Chronic pain
- Evidence-based structured review
- Hypochondriasis
- Idiopathic symptoms
- Pain
- Patients with chronic pain
- Review
- Somatic symptoms
- Somatization
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
- Medicine(all)