Somatization is associated with physical health-related quality of life independent of anxiety and depression in cancer, glaucoma and rheumatological disorders
Date
2009Author
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Tomenson, B.
Paika, V.
Almyroudi, A.
Pappa, C.
Tsifetaki, N.
Voulgari, P. V.
![ORCID logo](https://orcid.org/sites/default/files/images/orcid_16x16.png)
![ORCID logo](https://orcid.org/sites/default/files/images/orcid_16x16.png)
Creed, F.
Source
Quality of Life ResearchVolume
18Issue
8Pages
1029-1042Google Scholar check
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Purpose: To test the relative importance of anxiety, depression and somatization as correlates of physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in several chronic physical disorders. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of patients with colorectal cancer (N = 162), glaucoma (N = 100), rheumatoid arthritis (N = 168), systemic sclerosis (N = 56) and systemic lupus erythematosus (N = 56), we assessed specific disease severity and used the Symptom Distress Checklist (SCL-90) for psychologic dimensions. Outcome was assessed with the WHO Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form using hierarchical regression to determine independent correlates of HRQOL. Results: After adjustment for demographic features, stage of cancer and pain (final models), the SCL-90 somatization score was the only psychologic distress covariate significantly correlated to physical HRQOL in all diseases (Betas between -0.33 and -0.49) except in systemic sclerosis and scleroderma, where depression was also a correlate. In glaucoma patients, the SCL-90 somatization score was the only significant covariate for physical HRQOL in the final model. Conclusions: Since reported number of bodily symptoms is both associated with physical HRQOL and treatable in its own right, our findings suggest a possible new avenue to improve the HRQOL in patients with chronic physical disease. Whether this offers greater benefit than treatments for anxiety and depression needs further research. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.