OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to assess psychosomatic symptoms and comorbidity in a group of tinnitus out-patients and their correlation with tinnitus distress. METHODS: 32 subacute (duration 3-12 months) and 71 chronic tinnitus patients participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to assess tinnitus distress (German version of the TQ, VAS), psychosomatic symptoms (SCL-90-R, BDI, BAI) coping strategies (KKG, FKV), social support (F-SOZU) and interpersonal problems (IIP-D). RESULTS: 56 % of subjects met the criteria for a disorder according to DSM-IV (CIDI). Compared to the general population, there is a particularly high comorbidity with anxiety and somatoform disorders. Tinnitus distress was related to depression (BDI), tinnitus loudness and disturbance of activities (59 % explained variance). There were no substantial differences between subacute and chronic tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: The results stress the importance of diagnostic investigation of comorbidity and psychosomatic symptoms already at the subacute stage in tinnitus patients.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to assess psychosomatic symptoms and comorbidity in a group of tinnitus out-patients and their correlation with tinnitus distress. METHODS: 32 subacute (duration 3-12 months) and 71 chronic tinnituspatients participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to assess tinnitus distress (German version of the TQ, VAS), psychosomatic symptoms (SCL-90-R, BDI, BAI) coping strategies (KKG, FKV), social support (F-SOZU) and interpersonal problems (IIP-D). RESULTS: 56 % of subjects met the criteria for a disorder according to DSM-IV (CIDI). Compared to the general population, there is a particularly high comorbidity with anxiety and somatoform disorders. Tinnitus distress was related to depression (BDI), tinnitus loudness and disturbance of activities (59 % explained variance). There were no substantial differences between subacute and chronic tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: The results stress the importance of diagnostic investigation of comorbidity and psychosomatic symptoms already at the subacute stage in tinnituspatients.
Authors: N Zirke; C Seydel; D Arsoy; B F Klapp; H Haupt; A J Szczepek; H Olze; G Goebel; B Mazurek Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2013-01-05 Impact factor: 4.147