Assessment of Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Associated Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adults at a Tertiary Care Center: A Cross-Sectional Study (Code-T0295)

Introduction: Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) are persistent physical complaints with no identifiable medical cause despite thorough clinical evaluation. These symptoms significantly impact healthcare resources and patient quality of life. Studies suggest a strong association between MUS and psychiatric comorbidities, particularly anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate symptom severity and disability. Identifying these associations is crucial for improving diagnosis and management strategies.

Aims and Objectives

Aims 

To determine different types of psychiatric morbidities among patients with medically unexplained symptoms

Objectives

Primary

To assess association of medically unexplained symptoms and psychiatric  comorbidities in adult patients

Secondary

To assess the association of severity of symptoms with sociodemographic factors among Patients With Medically Unexplained Symptoms

Methods: A cross-sectional study will be conducted in the Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Orthopedics departments of Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences. A total of 90 consecutive patients presenting with MUS for over six months will be recruited. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) will be used to diagnose psychiatric disorders, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) will assess symptom severity. Data will be analyzed using SPSS, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

Results: The study is expected to reveal a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder in MUS patients. Additionally, factors such as age, marital status, and socioeconomic status may influence symptom severity.

Conclusion: Understanding the psychiatric comorbidities in MUS patients can aid in early intervention and integrated treatment approaches, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burden.

Keywords: Medically Unexplained Symptoms, Psychiatric Comorbidities, Depression, Anxiety, Somatic Symptoms, PHQ-15