Benjamin Gierk1, Sebastian Kohlmann2, Marion Hagemann-Goebel3, Bernd Löwe2, Yvonne Nestoriuc2. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Asklepios Clinic North, Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address: benjamin.gierk@gmx.de. 2. University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Schön Clinic Hamburg Eilbek, Hamburg, Germany. 3. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Asklepios Clinic North, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The SSS-8 is a brief questionnaire for the assessment of somatic symptom burden. This study examines its sensitivity to change and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patients with mental disorders. METHOD: 55 outpatients with mental disorders completed the SSS-8 and measures of anxiety, depression, and disability before and after receiving treatment. Effect sizes and correlations between the change scores were calculated. The MCID was estimated using a one standard error of measurement threshold and the change in disability as an external criterion. RESULTS: There was a medium decline in somatic symptom burden for the complete sample (n=55, dz=0.53) and a large decline in a subgroup with very high somatic symptom burden at baseline (n=11, dz=0.94). Decreases in somatic symptom burden were associated with decreases in anxiety (r=0.68, p<0.001), depression (r=0.62, p<0.001) and disability (r=0.51, p<0.001). The MCID was estimated as a 3-point decrease. CONCLUSION: The SSS-8 is sensitive to change. A 3-point decrease reflects a clinically important improvement. Due to its brevity and sound psychometric properties, the SSS-8 is useful for monitoring somatic symptom burden.
OBJECTIVE: The SSS-8 is a brief questionnaire for the assessment of somatic symptom burden. This study examines its sensitivity to change and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patients with mental disorders. METHOD: 55 outpatients with mental disorders completed the SSS-8 and measures of anxiety, depression, and disability before and after receiving treatment. Effect sizes and correlations between the change scores were calculated. The MCID was estimated using a one standard error of measurement threshold and the change in disability as an external criterion. RESULTS: There was a medium decline in somatic symptom burden for the complete sample (n=55, dz=0.53) and a large decline in a subgroup with very high somatic symptom burden at baseline (n=11, dz=0.94). Decreases in somatic symptom burden were associated with decreases in anxiety (r=0.68, p<0.001), depression (r=0.62, p<0.001) and disability (r=0.51, p<0.001). The MCID was estimated as a 3-point decrease. CONCLUSION: The SSS-8 is sensitive to change. A 3-point decrease reflects a clinically important improvement. Due to its brevity and sound psychometric properties, the SSS-8 is useful for monitoring somatic symptom burden.
Authors: Sebastian Kohlmann; Marco Lehmann; Marion Eisele; Lea-Elena Braunschneider; Gabriella Marx; Antonia Zapf; Karl Wegscheider; Martin Härter; Hans-Helmut König; Jürgen Gallinat; Stefanie Joos; Gaby Resmark; Antonius Schneider; Christine Allwang; Joachim Szecsenyi; Christoph Nikendei; Sven Schulz; Katja Brenk-Franz; Martin Scherer; Bernd Löwe Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-09-21 Impact factor: 2.692