Introduction
Medically unexplained symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have been present for several weeks and that an adequate medical evaluation has not revealed any disease that explains them; when these symptoms become persistent, they lead to comprehensive clinical investigations and multiple interventions.
Sociodemographic Characterization and Psychiatric Symptoms of Patients With Medically Unexplained Symptoms in a Healthcare Institution in Medellin (Colombia)
 
  Keywords
 
 
  
   Medically unexplained symptoms
  
 
 
  
   Depression
  
 
 
  
   Anxiety
  
 
 
  
   Child abuse
  
 
 
  
   Domestic violence
  
 
 
  
   Sexual violence
  
 
 
  
   Exposure to violence
  
 
Introduction
Medically unexplained symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have been present for several weeks and that an adequate medical evaluation has not revealed any disease that explains them; when these symptoms become persistent, they lead to comprehensive clinical investigations and multiple interventions. 
These patients have a greater or at least comparable commitment to physical functioning, mental health, and negative health perception than patients with multiple chronic medical conditions; have significantly more stressful life events (psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse) and are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depression.
Objective
To characterize sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of a group of patients identified in primary care with medically unexplained symptoms.
Methodology
A descriptive, cross-sectional study with patients from 18 to 70 years old who were given PHQ-15, PHQ-9 and PHQ for anxiety, and a survey designed for the study.
Results
36 patients were analysed, 94.4% women, median age 45 [RIC, 20] years-old, 33.3% married, 91.7% had children. 
55% had severe functional somatic symptoms, 77.8% had one or more <dis>functional somatic disorders</dis>, and 77.7% had clinically relevant affective or anxiety symptoms. 
25% of the patients reported a history of child abuse, 41.7% were mistreated by a partner, and 41.6% were victims of the Colombian armed conflict.
Conclusions
The main finding of this study was that 8 out of 10 patients met criteria for a <dis>functional somatic disorder with great symptomatic severity</dis> and three out of ten patients met criteria for two <dis>functional disorders</dis>, most of these patients without other basic medical diseases. 
In addition, we found a high prevalence of exposure to different types of violence that these patients have been subjected to throughout their life.
Introduction
Medically unexplained symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have been present for several weeks and that an adequate medical evaluation has not revealed any disease that explains them; when these symptoms become persistent, they lead to comprehensive clinical investigations and multiple interventions. 
These patients have a greater or at least comparable commitment to physical functioning, mental health, and negative health perception than patients with multiple chronic medical conditions; have significantly more stressful life events (psychological, physical and/or sexual abuse) and are more likely to meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depression.
Objective
To characterize sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of a group of patients identified in primary care with medically unexplained symptoms.
Methodology
A descriptive, cross-sectional study with patients from 18 to 70 years old who were given PHQ-15, PHQ-9 and PHQ for anxiety, and a survey designed for the study.
Results
36 patients were analysed, 94.4% women, median age 45 [RIC, 20] years-old, 33.3% married, 91.7% had children. 
55% had severe functional somatic symptoms, 77.8% had one or more functional somatic disorders, and 77.7% had clinically relevant affective or anxiety symptoms. 
25% of the patients reported a history of child abuse, 41.7% were mistreated by a partner, and 41.6% were victims of the Colombian armed conflict.
Conclusions
The main finding of this study was that 8 out of 10 patients met criteria for a functional somatic disorder with great symptomatic severity and three out of ten patients met criteria for two functional disorders, most of these patients without other basic medical diseases. 
In addition, we found a high prevalence of exposure to different types of violence that these patients have been subjected to throughout their life.
Introduction
Medically unexplained symptoms are defined as physical symptoms that have been present for several weeks and that an adequate medical evaluation has not revealed any disease that explains them; when these symptoms become persistent, they lead to comprehensive clinical investigations and multiple interventions.