Correlation between somatic sensation inventory scores and hyperarousal scale scores.

Somatization mechanisms are poorly understood. The authors tested whether somatization might involve altered central nervous system information processing. They measured somatization using the Somatization Sensation Inventory (SSI) and information processing style using the Hyperarousal Scale, scores of which correlate with electroencephalogram(EEG) measures of cortical electrical responsiveness. SSI scores correlated highly with Hyperarousal scores. On logistic regression, two SSI items and two Hyperarousal items accounted for most of this correlation. These specific hyperarousal items had previously been found to covary with EEG activity and cortical evoked potential amplitudes. The authors concluded that somatization may involve altered CNS processing of somatic stimuli.