Medically unexplained symptoms and their change in timev Cover Image

Medicínsky nevysvětlené symptomy a jejich změna v čase
Medically unexplained symptoms and their change in timev

Author(s): Eva Kostolanská, Tomáš Řiháček
Subject(s): Clinical psychology
Published by: Masarykova univerzita nakladatelství
Keywords: medically unexplained symptoms; somatoform disorders; prevalence; change;

Summary/Abstract: Medical unexplained symptoms (MUS) are a frequent reason for medical consultations and thus represent a phenomenon requiring systematic examination. The aim of this study was to determine (1) the prevalence of MUS in a general population sample, as well as the frequency of individual symptoms, (2) the change of MUS intensity in time, and (3) the relationship between this change and health-related locus of control. N = 549 respondents from the general population completed an online questionnaire (251 of them responded to a second wave measurement after six months). The results of the analysis showed that 37.3 % of the sample reported at least one MUS at the first-wave measurement. MUS intensity tended to decrease between the first and second measurements (d = 0.49). There was no evidence of a relationship between the change in MUS and any of the health-related locus of control dimensions. The results are interpreted in the context of existing research.

  • Issue Year: 15/2021
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 150-164
  • Page Count: 15
  • Language: Czech