Post on 22-May-2015
description
Understanding & TreatingMedically Unexplained Symptoms
Alex Mitchell alex.mitchell@leicspart.nhs.ukConsultant in Liaison Psychiatry
Medicine for Psychiatrists Conference Cardiff 2008
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Contents
• Diagnostic Methods– Assumptions vs Diagnostic Accuracy
• Classification of Medically Unexplained Symptoms– Common or rare?– Somatoform Disorders in DSMIV and ICD10
• The Clinical Significance of MUS– MUS in Primary Care– MUS in Secondary Care
• Prognosis & Treatment of MUS– What do we know
1. Introduction
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Basic concept - MUS
• Medically unexplained symptoms– Are physical (somatic) complaints that are noted by the
patient but which seem to have no satisfactory medical explanation according to the health professional
– They may or may not be linked with psychological symptoms– They may or may not be linked with underlying disease– They should warrant further help/advice from clinicians
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Main MUS Syndromes
• Somatization disorder (8 symptoms)
• Undifferentiated/abridged somatoform disorder
• Conversion disorder (1 symptom)
• Hypochondriasis
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• ? Pain disorder
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Related MUS Symptoms/Syndromes
Multiple chemical sensitivityOccupational Medicine
MUS HypoglycemiaEndocrinology
Irritable bowel syndromeGastroenterology
Chronic Fatigue SyndromeInternal Medicine
FibromyalgiaRheumatology
TMJ syndromeDentistry
Hyperventilation, dyspneaPulmonary
Atypical chest painCardiology
Dizziness, headacheNeurology
TinnitusENT
Pelvic pain, PMSOb/Gyn
Lower back painOrthopedics
2. Scientific Principles of Diagnosis
How to establish a cause?
How to establish a syndrome?
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Example: A Clear Disease [#1]
Disorder
Number ofIndividuals
False +veFalse +ve
True -veTrue -ve
Point of Partial Rarity
Test Result
No Disorder
False -veFalse -ve
True +veTrue +ve
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Example: A Probable Syndrome [#2]
Disorder
Number ofIndividuals
False +veFalse +ve False -veFalse -ve
True -veTrue -ve
True +veTrue +ve
MMSE Cognitive Score
No Disorder
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Example: A Normally Distributed Trait [#3]
Disorder
Number ofIndividuals
False +veFalse +ve False -veFalse -ve
True -veTrue -ve
True +veTrue +ve
MMSE Cognitive Score
No Disorder
Example: Dementia
DiseaseSyndromeTrait
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Hubbert et al (2005) BMC Geriatrics
MMSE scores for dementia (n=72)and non-dementia (n=2735)
Huppert et al BMC Geriatrc 2005
Example: Depression
DiseaseSyndromeTrait
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Mitchell, Coyne et al (2008)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
Early Pregnancy3months Post-Partum12months Post-Partum
Scores on the CES-D during Pregnancy, 3 and 12 months Post-partum in 947 Women
Depressive Symptoms Moderate to Severe DepressionHealthy Mild Depression
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Thompson et al (2001) n=18,414
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Zero One
TwoThree Four
Five SixSev
en
eight
Nine
TenEleve
nTwelv
eThirt
een
Fourtee
nFifte
enSixtee
nSev
entee
nEightee
n
3. MUS – Any there Valid Criteria?
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
DSMIV
• 1952 DSM - Conversion reaction • 1968 DSM-II - Hysterical neurosis (conversion type) • 1980 DSM-III - Conversion disorder • 1987 DSM-III-R - Conversion disorder • 1994 DSM-IV - Conversion disorder • 1992 ICD-10 - Dissociative (conversion) disorder
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
DSMIV Diagnostic criteria Somatization disorder• A. A history of many physical complaints beginning before age 30 years that occur over a period of several
years and result in treatment being sought or significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
• B. Each of the following criteria must have been met, with individual symptoms occurring at any time during the course of the disturbance: 1. Four pain symptoms: a history of pain related to at least 4 different sites or functions (for example, head, abdomen, back, joints, extremities, chest, rectum, during menstruation, during sexual intercourse, or during urination).
– 2. Two gastrointestinal symptoms: a history of at least 2 gastrointestinal symptoms other than pain (for example, nausea, bloating, vomiting other than during pregnancy, diarrhea, or intolerance of several different foods).
– 3. One sexual symptom: a history of at least 1 sexual or reproductive symptom other than pain (for example, sexual indifference, erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction, irregular menses, excessive menstrual bleeding, vomiting throughout pregnancy).
– 4. One pseudoneurological symptom: a history of at least 1 symptom or deficit suggesting a neurological condition not limited to pain (conversion symptoms such as impaired coordination or balance, paralysis or localized weakness, difficulty swallowing or lump in throat, aphonia, urinary retention, hallucinations, loss of touch or pain sensation, double vision, blindness, deafness, seizures; dissociative symptoms such as amnesia; or loss of consciousness other than fainting).
• C. Either (1) or (2):– 1. After appropriate investigation, each of the symptoms in Criterion B cannot be fully explained by a known general
medical condition or the direct effects of a substance (for example, a drug of abuse, a medication).– 2. When there is a related general medical condition, the physical complaints or resulting social or occupational
impairment are in excess of what would be expected from the history, physical examination, or laboratory findings.
• D. The symptoms are not intentionally produced or feigned (as in factitious disorder or malingering).
Not specifiedDoes not meet criteria for any other somatoform disorder
Can be <6 mo duration
Somatoform symptomsSomatoform disorder, NOS
Not specifiedNot better accounted for by other mental disorder
Not applicablePreoccupation with imagined defect in appearance or excessive concern about slight physical anomaly
Body dysmorphic disorder
Not of delusional intensity; not restricted to circumscribed concern about appearance
Not exclusively during obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety, panic disorder, major depressive episode, separation anxiety, or other somatoform disorder
Duration >6 moPreoccupation with fear of having or idea that one has serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily symptoms; persistent fear and idea despite medical evaluation and reassurance
Hypochondriasis
Not specifiedNot better accounted for by mood, anxiety, or psychotic disorder; does not meet criteria for dyspareunia
Psychological factors in important role
Pain is predominant focus; severe enough to warrant clinical attention
Pain disorder
Not intentionally produced or feigned; not explained by other neurologic or medical condition, substance effect, or culturally sanctioned behavior and/or experience
Not limited to pain or sexual dysfunction; not exclusively during course of somatizationdisorder; not better accounted for by other mental disorder
Associated psychological factors
Symptoms affecting voluntary motor and/or sensory function suggesting neurologic and/or medical condition
Conversion disorder
Not explained by medical condition or pathophysiologicmechanism
Not accounted for by another mental disorder
Duration >6 moOne or more physical complaintsUndifferentiated somatoform disorder
Not explained by general medical condition or substance effect
Not specifiedOnset <30 y of age
History of many physical complaints; 4 pain sites or functions: 2 nonpain GI, 1 sexual or reproductive, 1 pseudoneurologic
Somatizationdisorder
Other ExclusionsExclusions By Other Psychiatric Illness
Temporal and Other
Requirements
General DescriptionSomatoform Disorder
(DSM-IV)
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Somatization Disorder - SimplifiedDiagnostic Criteria:
1. History: onset before 30yo, symptoms lasting years, Impairment in function or pursuit of medical treatment
2. Symptoms [all four of the following]:a. Pain (four sites)b. Gastrointestinal (two non-pain symptoms)c. Sexual (one non-pain symptom)d. Neurological (one non-pain symptom)
3. Medical explanations inadequate4. Rule out other conditions
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
• One or more symptoms suggesting a medical condition• Psychological factors associated with symptoms
• Not intentionally produced• Symptoms are self-limited not progressive disabilities
– Subtypes: (1) motor (2) sensory (3) seizures or convulsions (4) mixed
• “La Belle Indifference”• Primary or secondary gain
Conversion Disorder - Simplified
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS Definitions – Rule of Thumb
• Somatization– Multiple physical complaints, no medical explanation– Common
• Conversion Disorder– Single physical complaint, a psychological explanation– Rare
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Somatisation, factitious or malingering?
Intentionality
Insight
Motivation conscious
Motivation unconscious
Motivation unconscious
Symptoms Conscious
Symptoms Conscious
Symptoms unconscious
MalingeringFactitiousSomatoform
4. MUS – What about Diagnostic features
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Possible Diagnostic Factors - Patient
SometimesPsychosocial Difficulties
UsuallyUnsatisfied with care
YesRequests more tests
Not intentionalIntentionality
Inferred by doctorGain?
SometimesIndifference
YesNo abnormal test
YesPhysical complaints
Present?Classic MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Possible Diagnostic Factors - Patient
SometimesPsycho-social difficulties
Usually satisfiedUnsatisfied with care
NoRequests more tests
Not intentionalIntentionality
Usually overlookedGain?
SometimesIndifference
YesNo abnormal test
YesPhysical complaints
Physical DisorderClassic MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Stone et al, 2006
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Psychiatric disorder, life events and difficulties in functional bowel disordersCreed et al 1988
30%13%Marked relationship difficulties
14%3%Psychiatric disorder
38%24%Chronic difficulties
Not inflamed n=56
Acute inflamed n=63
Appendicectomy patients
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Possible Diagnostic Factors - Doctor
NoWorking with patient
UncertainRequests more tests
YesLow Dr Satisfaction
YesLow Ther Relationship
YesLittle to offer
YesTo many appointments
YesToo much time
Present?Classic MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Salmon et al (2007)
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
EmUm
Em
Ep
Um&p
With Psychiatric Symptoms
Medically ExplainedMedically Unexplained
Medically ExplainedPsychiatrically Unexplained
Medically UnexplainedPsychiatrically Explained
Medically UnexplainedPsychiatrically Unexplained
ExplainedUnexplainedFunctional
UnexplainedUnexplainedUnclear
UnexplainedExplainedOrganic
PsychiatricallyMedicallyModel
Dichotomous Model – Organic vs Functional
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Unresolved Questions• How to establish conscious? Intentional?
• Where is partly explained?
• Where are rare conditions?
• Where are future conditions?
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS Model
Unexplained75%
Initially Explained
25%
Later Explained
25%
Initially Explained
25%
Mostly Psycholo
gically Explained
15%
Theoretically
Explained15%
Impossible to
Explain20%
With time
5. MUS – Clinical Significance
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS Frq in Primary Care
Kroenke K, Mangelsdorff AD. Am J Med. 1989;86:262-266.
16% = organic; 10% psychological; 75% = unclear
Abdom-inalPain
0
2
4
6
8
1 0
N o o r g a n i c c a u s e i d e n t i f i e dO r g a n i c c a u s e
3-Ye
ar In
cide
nce
(%)
DizzinessChestPain
Fatigue Head-ache
Edema BackPain
Dyspnea
Insomnia Numb-ness
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
DSM-IV Criteria in Primary Care Patients
MUS DSM-IV Criteria in Primary Care Patients (n=206)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Psyc
hiat
ric (M
ean)
Maj
or d
epre
ssio
n
Min
or d
epre
ssio
n
Bip
olar
dis
orde
r
Dys
thym
ia
Gen
eral
ized
anx
iety
diso
rder
Ago
raph
obia
Soci
al p
hobi
a
Spec
ific
phob
ia
Post
trau
mat
icst
ress
dis
orde
r
Obs
essi
veco
mpu
lsiv
e di
sord
er
Pani
c di
sord
er
Som
atof
orm
(Mea
n)
Som
atiz
atio
ndi
sord
er
Hyp
ocho
ndria
sis
Chr
onic
pai
n*
Con
vers
ion
diso
rder
Abr
idge
dso
mat
izat
ion
DSM
som
atof
orm
posi
tive
RC Smith et al (2005) Exploration of DSM-IV Criteria in Primary Care Patients With Medically Unexplained Symptoms Psychosomatic Medicine 67:123–129
(60.2%) had any “psychiatric” (23%) any psychosomatic
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Self rated anxiety and depression (HAD - max 21 - a lower score is ‘better’)
0 5 10 15 20
HAD score
Completely explained by diseaseLargely explained by diseaseSomewhat explained by diseaseNot at all explained by disease
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Diagnosis of MUS by GPs, N=667• 20% of high scorers
Rosendal M, Bro F, Fink P, Christensen KS, Olesen F.Diagnosis of somatisation: effect of an educational intervention in a cluster randomised controlled trial. British Journal of General Practice 2003; 53:917–922.
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS accuracy, Becker, 2004
n = 431 False positives False negatives
Somatization/MUS 34.6% 44.1%
Depression 10.5% 55.1%
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS in Secondary Care (Neurology)
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Frequency of MUS Episodes in Frequent Attenders by Specialty
0.540.5
0.34 0.330.3
0.27
0.17 0.16 0.150.12 0.11
0.02
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
Gastro
enter
ology
Neuro
logyCard
iologyRheu
matology
Orthopae
dics ENTGyn
aecolog
yGen
eral su
rgery
Chest m
edicine
Ophth
almology
General
med
icine
Dermato
logy
MUS in Frq Attenders
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Prevalence of MUS syndromes by clinic% Cases Accounted for by MUS from Hospital Clinics (n=550)
3741
45
5358
6266
52
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70D
enta
l
Che
st
Rhe
umat
olog
y
Car
diol
ogy
Gas
troe
nter
olog
y
Neu
rolo
gy
Gyn
aeac
olog
y
Tota
l
Nimnuan et al (2001) J Psychosom Res Medically Unexplained SymptomsAn Epidemiological Study in Seven Specialities
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Prevalence of MUS syndromes by clinic
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
%
Chest Cardio Gastro Rheum Neuro Gynae
NCCPIBSFMGCF
Nimnuan et al (2001) J Psychosom Res Medically Unexplained SymptomsAn Epidemiological Study in Seven Specialities
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Lempert T, Dieterich M, Huppert D, et al. Psychogenic disorders in neurology: frequency and clinical spectrum. Acta Neurol Scand 1990;82:335–40.
MUS in Neurology
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Referrals for MUS from NeurologyReferra l Bias from Neurologica l W ards vs Non-Neurologica l W ards
4.60%
2.70%
1.10%
11.40%
4.40%
2.70%
15.10%15.50%
12.00%
7.30%7.90%
15.10%
7.40%
1.60%
5.10%
11.90%
4.70%
18.80%
19.60%
0.90%
3.20%
13.90%
8.00%
5.00%
-3.00%
2.00%
7.00%
12.00%
17.00%
22.00%
Dem
entia
Del
iria
non-
alco
holic
Del
iria
alco
holic
Oth
er O
MD
Subs
tanc
e ab
use
Schi
zoph
reni
a
Moo
d di
sord
ers
Anx
iety
/str
ess
Dis
soci
ativ
edi
sord
ers
Som
atof
orm
diso
rder
s
Oth
ers
Unc
erta
in
Neurological Wards (837)
Non-Neurological Wards (n=8705)
Peter de Jonge et al. (2001) Referral pattern of neurological patients to psychiatric consultation-Liaison Services in 33 European hospitals. General Hospital Psychiatry 23: 152–157
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
What do Neurologists Think?
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
To what extent can the patient’s symptoms be explained by organic disease? (n=4180)
Not at allExplainedBy Disease
LargelyExplainedBy Disease
CompletelyExplainedBy Disease
SomewhatExplainedBy Disease
12% 18% 25% 45%
Carson et al (2002)
Regional variation: Inverness 11% Stranraer- 100%!
6. MUS – Prognosis
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Consequences of somatisation
– “Unnecessary” use of healthcare• Investigations• Admissions for treatment / operations
– Often making matters worse
– Prescribed drug misuse and dependence– Disability and loss of earnings
• Social disability payments– Poor quality of life
• Impact on family / social network
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Is a negative test benign?
27Anti-anginal medication
13Cardiac-related admission in the last year
19Impaired work
51Limitation of physical activity
70Continuing chest discomfort
%Outcome
Papanicolau et al (1986),Chest pain with normal coronary arteries: outcome at 6 years
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS and Prognosis
University of Kansas Medical Center (routine)2825892005Ziegler (unpublished
University Department of Neurology00301998Binzer
Wards of National Hospital for Neurological Diseases43731998Crimlisk
Wards of National Hospital for Neurological Diseases1511731996Mace
University Department of Neurology42561995Couprie
Wards of National Hospital for Neurological Diseases4415351986Marsden
Wards of National Hospital for Neurological Diseases4222521965Slater
Source of Cases%#FoundOrganic
#CasesFollowed
YearSeniorAuthor
7. MUS – Treatment
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Treatment (Allen et al, 2002)
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
IBS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
CFS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Fibromyalgia
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Kroenke (2007)
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Summary
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Smith et al (2006)• 206 patients who had 8 or more
visits per year for the last 2 years to any providers.
• no documented organic disease to explain symptoms of at least 6 months duration.
• Combination approach by GPs
• => improved depression and function at 12 months
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Whiteley -7 Scale
Fink P, Ewald H, Jensen J, Engberg M, Holm M, Munk-Jorgensen P. Screening for somatization and hypochondriasis in primary care and neurological inpatients. A 7-item scale for hypochondriasis and somatization. J Psychosom Res1999;46:261–73.
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Rosendal et al• Educational program designed to improve
care for somatizing patients in primary care.
• Evaluation was performed during routine clinical care in a cluster randomized controlled trial.
• Follow-up was conducted 3 months (response rate=0.74) and 12 months
• Self-reported health improved in both intervention and control groups during follow-up for patients with a high score for somatization, but changes were small.
• Satisfaction 35%• GP diagnosed 20% of 911 high scorers
8. Extras
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Model of MUS
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Establish Cause?• Bradford Hill criteria for causation
– Temporal relationship– Dose-response gradient– Strength of association– Biological plausibility– Consistency– Specificity– Coherence of evidence
RecognisedUnrecognised
Uncertain
Clinical Features
Pathology
Increase in Sophistication
ExplainedUnexplainedFunctional
UnexplainedUnexplainedUnclear
UnexplainedExplainedOrganic
PsychiatricallyMedicallyModel
Unexplained
Explained(contributory)
Complicating(effect)
Explained
Unexplained
Psychiatrically
TEAExplained(cause)
Symptomatic
Fear of SeizuresExplained(contributory)
Combination
PNESUnexplainedFunctional
Atypical fitUnexplainedUnclear
Epileptic seizureExplainedOrganic
ExampleMedicallyModel