Presentation Information
[P-5-04]Differences of Affective and Cognitive Characteristics in Depressive Patients according to the Severity of Somatization
*Kyoungbeom Kim (Bongseng memorial hospital(Korea))
Keywords:
Depression,Somatization,Alexythymia,Symptom interpretation
Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences of affective and cognitive characteristics in depressive patients according to the severity of somatization, and to find the association of these factors on the severity of somatization. Methods : 86 patients with depressive disorders who had somatic discomfort without clinically significant medical illness were enrolled. The following measures were used Patient Health Questionnaire-15, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20-K and Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire. Patients were divided into two groups: mild to moderate somatization group as a score of <11, severe somatization group as a score of >11 on PHQ-15. The scales were compared with each group. Results : The mean score of Beck Depression Inventory in severe somatization group were significantly high. The score of total, subscale 1 <Difficulties identifying feelings> and 2 <Difficulties describing feelings> in Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20-K and the scores of total, psychological, physical and catastrophic interpretation in Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire were significantly high in severe somatization group. Finally, results of logistic regression showed that <Difficulties identifying feelings> and <physical interpretation> had significantly influence on the severe somatization. Conclusion : Among all variances, <difficulties identifying feelings> and <physical interpretation> were the most influential predictors for the severe somatization. These results suggested that therapeutic approach based on these characteristics according to the severity of somatization could be important for the management of somatizer.