[Psychosomatic complaints and utilisation of psychosomatic consultation services in gynecology and obstetrics]

Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol. 2003 Dec;53(12):485-93. doi: 10.1055/s-2003-45368.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify symptoms of depression, anxiety and somatization disorder in gynecological and obstetrical inpatients by screening questionnaires and to compare this findings with utilisation of a psychosomatic consultation service. 517 patients were screened with HADS (anxiety and depression) and GBB-24 (somatic complaints). 28.7% had pathological and, in addition, 19.8% borderline scores in at least one scale. More than 40% had pathological or borderline scores even in a 4-week follow-up and emphasised that they would have preferred having psychosomatic support in hospital. In only 2.9% psychosomatic consultation service was requested. Physicians in the gynecology department rated anxiety depression and the patients' acceptance of psychological factors of their illness significantly lower than the patients themselves. Our results demonstrate that anxiety and depression in gynecological and obstetric patients are not only a momentary phenomenon. Physicians underestimate the need of psychosomatic consultation.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Genital Diseases, Female / complications
  • Genital Diseases, Female / psychology*
  • Genital Diseases, Female / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / psychology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / therapy*
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychosomatic Medicine*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology*
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy*