Assessment of Somatic Symptom in Chinese Community-Dwelling People
Condition: Somatization Disorder
MeSH terms: Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Somatoform Disorders
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      With the rapid aging and worsening psychological problems worldwide, the special focus on
      somatic symptom and other psychological diseases of the older population is needed. However,
      there is no research comparing the incidence of somatic symptom between elderly and
      non-elderly, and clinical relevance with somatic symptom is uncertain. The study aims to
      clarify the prevalence of somatic symptom, depression and anxiety disorders in China, to
      compare physical and psychological difference between the elderly and non-elderly and to
      explore risk factors for somatic symptom in the elderly.
    

Detailed description: 
      With the steadily increasing of life expectancy, the aging people is expected to 2 billion by
      2050, which brings the deeper demand on the quality of life improvement. The psychological
      problems is an important factor affecting the quality of life. As reported, 73.6% of urban
      residents were with mental sub-health, indicating that psychological problem has grown into
      inevitable issues in hindering healthy development. The elderly, compared with the
      non-elderly, have unique social and biological characteristics, so psychological problem of
      the older population deserves special focus. Literatures have investigated aged people with
      depression or anxiety disorder, but somatic symptom in elderly have rarely been addressed.
      Somatic symptom disorder prevalence in elderly in European ranged from 0-13.5%. However,
      there is no research comparing the incidence of somatic symptom, anxiety and depression
      between elderly and non-elderly and revealing the prevalence of somatic symptom under
      Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria.

      Investigators use Somatic Symptom Scale-China (SSS-CN) questionnaire to assess the presence
      and severity of the symptoms. Patient Heath Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety
      Disorder Screener (GAD-7) are used to evaluate depression and anxiety disorder respectively.
      The study aims to clarify the prevalence of somatic symptom, depression and anxiety disorders
      in China, to compare physical and psychological difference between the elderly and
      non-elderly and to explore risk factors for somatic symptom in the elderly.
    

Intervention name(s): Assessment of somatic symptom disorder with SSS-CN; Assessment of depressive symptoms disorder with PHQ-9; Assessment of anxiety disorder with GAD-7
Intervention type(s): Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test; Diagnostic Test
Intervention description(s): SSS-CN questionnaire is used to assess the presence and severity of the somatic symptoms; PHQ-9 questionnaire is used to assess the presence and severity of the depressive symptoms; GAD-7 questionnaire is used to assess the presence and severity of the anxiety disorder
Observational model: Ecologic or Community
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Probability Sample
Study population: 
        subjects are enrolled between March 2019 and June 2019 in 105 representative community
        health service institutions in Shanghai, China.
      
Keywords: somatic symptom disorder; Somatic Symptom Scale-China; elderly