Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: The larger proportion
of attendees in primary health care
settings often presents with somatic
symptoms, which may constitute
medically unexplained symptoms
(MUS). These symptoms are often
related to psychosocial pathology
thereby constituting diagnostic
nightmare for primary health care
physicians. This study aimed to
describe psychiatric diagnostic
outcome and its correlates among
individuals with MUS in a Nigerian
basedgeneral healthcare setting.
Methods: All consenting cases of
MUS seen over a twelve-month
period at a general medical practice
setting by the attending general
physicians, made up of 150
individuals out of 1,450 consecutive
patients, were referred to
psychiatrist. Their sociodemographic information using
designed questionnaire was
obtained and subsequently clinical
interview was done with Schedule
for Clinical Assessments in
Neuropsychiatry (SCAN). Similarly,
the physical health status of the
study participants was also
assessed. Data were analyzed with
SPSS version 16 using logistic
regression analyses to determine
correlates of psychiatric morbidity
among them

Key words: Keywords: Correlates; Diagnostic outcome; Medically unexplained symptoms;Primary care