UNDERSTANDING THE PAINS THAT WON’T GO AWAYHOW TO REDUCE THE BURDEN OF PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS AMONG COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

ACHAPhiladelphiaJune 4, 2010

Amy R. Alson, MDUniversity of Virginia Elson Student Health CenterCharlottesville, Virginia

Learning Objectives

Attendees should be able to:1. Explain the impact of unidentified

psychosomatic Illness on the college and university healthcare system.

2. Identify psychosomatic illness commonly seen among college and university students.

3. Describe strategies to effectively treat students with psychosomatic conditions.

Overview

The impact of somatoform disorders Diagnostic terms: now and future Pathophysiology & psychology Treatment recommendations Clinical course & prognosis Cases References

Describing the burden

Prevalence of somatoform disorders in general practice reported as high as 30%

Unexplained chronic pain affects >25% primary care patients Accrued twice the costs for medical care. Utilized twice the services (out and in-patient)

Overuse of specialist consultation Unmeasured impact on patients’

academic & social lives

Jay,23, 2rd year med student

Initial presentation: Nov 3, 20091. Intermittent vague LUQ abdominal

discomfort2. chronic loose stools3. chronic GERD with concern about long-

term PPI use.4. Lymphadenopathy (R cervical &

supraclavicular). Had a panic attack while driving and palpating nodes. “He is very concerned about cancer.”

5. Tremor in his hands, and numbness at the tip of his tongue, both of which are chronic.

Somatization

Experiencing psychological distress in the form of physical symptoms for which one seeks medical care.

Somatization can be conscious or not, and may be influenced by psychological distress or a desire for personal gain.

Symptoms range from exaggeration of common problems to disabling and unrelenting clinical syndromes.

DSM-IV-TR: Somatoform disorders Undifferentiated somatoform

disorder Pain disorder Somatization disorder Hypochondriasis Body dysmorphic disorder Conversion Disorder Somatoform disorder NOS

Somatization disorder

A. A history of many physical complaints beginning before age 30, occurring over several years & resulting in treatment being sought or significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

B. Must include 4 pain symptoms, 2 GI symptoms, one sexual symptom, one pseudoneurologic symptom.

C. Either not explained by a known GMC, or impairment exceeds expected for existing GMC

Somatization disorder

Less than 1% of patients with Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) meet criteria for Somatization Disorder.

1-year prevalence among US adults is 0.3%.

Hypochondriasis

Preoccupation with the fear of having a serious disease based on misinterpretation of bodily symptoms despite appropriate medical evaluation and reassurance.

Conviction about illness is not of delusional intensity, and is not restricted to concern about appearance.

Preoccupation lasts at least 6 months & causes clinically significant distress or impairment.

Hypochondriasis

Male = female prevalence Insight varies among affected

patients Commonly co-occurs with anxiety

and depressive disorders. Onset is typically later in life than

somatization disorder 4-6% of general medical outpatients

Undifferentiated somatoform disorder: One or more physical symptoms that cause significant distress or impairment in functioning lasting at least 6 months .

Pain disorder: Pain in one or more sites, causing significant distress or impairment and associated with psychological factors.

May be associated with a psychological factors, or with psychological factors and a GMC.

Acute if < 6 months; chronic if 6 months or longer.

Body dysmorphic disorder Preoccupation with an imagined or

exaggerated physical defect Conversion disorder

Unintentionally produced deficits affecting voluntary motor or sensory function that suggest a neurological or other GM, associated with psychological factors.

Somatoform disorder NOS Psuedocyesis Nonpsychotic hypochondriacal symptoms of

less than 6 months duration Unexplained physical complaints (fatigue,

weakness) of less than 6 months duration

DSM V (Draft) “current terminology for somatoform disorders

is confusing” somatoform disorders, malingering, and

factitious disorders all involve physical symptoms and/or concern about medical illness,” they will be reclassified as Somatic Symptom Disorders.

Somatization disorder, hypochondriasis, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, and pain disorder shall be grouped into a new diagnosis: Complex Somatic Symptom Disorder. “

http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/SomatoformDisorders.aspx

Complex Somatic Symptom Disorder To meet criteria for CSSD, criteria A, B, and C are necessary.   A.  Somatic symptoms:    One or more somatic symptoms that are distressing and/or result in

significant disruption in daily life.  B.  Overwhelming concern or preoccupation with symptoms

and illness:  At least three of the following are required to meet this criterion: (1) High level of health-related anxiety. (2) A tendency to fear the worst about one's health or bodily

symptoms (catastrophizing).  (3) Belief in the medical seriousness of one's symptoms

despite evidence to the contrary. (4) Health concerns and/or symptoms assume a central role in

one's life (ruminative preoccupation).   C.  Chronicity: Although any one symptom may not be continuously

present, the state of being symptomatic is chronic (at least 6 months).

Pathogenesis

Symptoms are real, exaggerated, and/or imagined

Patients’ experience of symptoms leads to distressing fears and beliefs

There is no clear bio, psycho or social explanation

Existing theories are not mutually exclusive.

Proposed neurobiology

Efferent pathways: HPA Axis hypoactivity Deficits lead arousal to cause increased bodily

discomfort Afferent pathways: altered brain asymmetry in

neuroendocrine regulation of sensory processing Central misinterpretation of physical experience

Sensitization in the limbic system or pain pathway due to repeated “toxic exposures” Trauma, illness

Overactive neurophysiological 'as-if loops’ related to self-representation mirror neurons

Psychology: Attachment Insecure , preoccupied attachment style

(independent of negative affect) Negative self-view, idealized view of others Clingy, seek reassurance in relationships at

times of stress Attachment style is relatively stable across

the first 19 years of life History of traumatic childhood experiences

(loss, illness, inconsistent care) A major function of attachment behavior is

affect regulation

Psychology: Alexithymia

Difficulty processing and communicating (representing) subjective feelings; focus on concrete external events

Moderate correlation with somatization in a series of college student samples

40% of 118 general psychiatric outpatients scored in the alexithymic range of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. This subset scored significantly higher on

validated measures of somatization, depression and anxiety.

The feature-positive effect Unequal weighing of positive and

negative information Unequal weighing of active and

passive behaviors

In hypochondriasis, patients focus on “positive information” of bodily symptoms and discount “negative information” of empirical test results and PE findings.

Cultural influences

“Pain” comes from the Latin ‘poena’, for punishment or penalty

Health and illness beliefs are informed by spirituality, superstition, and age

Death beliefs affect health anxiety Negative beliefs about death are

associated with increased health anxiety Positive beliefs about death are

associated with reduced health anxiety

Risk factors?

A history of sexual abuse is associated with:

functional GI symptoms nonspecific chronic pain psychogenic seizures chronic pelvic pain.

Risk factors?

Patients with MUS often had ill parents as children

Patients with h/o childhood fatigue are more likely to report noncardiac chest pain.

Children with benign murmurs have poor psychosocial outcomes, presumably due to parents’ fear of underlying serious illness

The “worried well”

Psychiatric comorbidity: 2/3 of hypochondriacs GAD OCD

5-10% of hypochondriacs Social phobia MDD (may present only with somatic features)

40% of hypochondriacs Panic disorder

10-20% of hypochondriacs Substance dependance (opioids)

Copyright © 2007 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

De Waal, M. W. M. et al. Br J Psychiatry 2004;184:470-476

Fig. 1 Overlap between somatoform disorders and anxiety or depressive disorders: weighted prevalence (s.e.). Observed comorbidity, 4.20%;

expected comorbidity, 1.26%; ratio=3.3. Within somatoform disorders: 26% anxiety and/or depressive disorders; within anxiety and/or depressive

disorders: 54% somatoform disorders.

General medical conditions cause these symptoms, too Celiac disease: 1 in 250 Americans IBD: incidence 1-10 cases per

100,000; prevalence 200 N. Americans per 100,000.

Ischemic heart disease is rare in young adults

Evaluation

History HPI PMH:

include psychiatric history recent physicians and patient’s experience of them

Family history: especially during patient’s childhood elicit parental attitudes toward illness

Social history: include history of sexual abuse childhood illnesses, school avoidance current academic and social pressures

Physical Exam

Medical treatment

Structured, scheduled visits with the same clinician minimize crises, reduce urgent contacts

Start with weekly or biweekly brief (20-minute) visits progressively lengthen the intervals

Centralize care Discuss purpose of and limit

referrals, tests, meds

Psychological treatment

About 50% of patients refuse psychotherapy referral

Most patients with MUS are open to psychosocial treatment provided by PCP, in addition to usual care

Clinician must reframe own expectations (“cure” is unlikely)

CBT in Primary care

Establish a partnership minimize shame & fear of abandonment respond to patient’s emotions and

concerns identify treatment goals provide education

Establish a routine review interval since last visit set goals for current visit assign homework

Psychological treatment

CBT by an expert can focus on: misinterpretation of positive symptoms selective attention, safety-seeking, and

bodily discomfort due to anxiety revalue negative test results and

physical exam findings

Prognosis

Medically Unexplained Symptoms 50-75% improve 10-30% deteriorate

Hypochondriasis 30-50% recover

Number of somatic symptoms and “seriousness of condition” at baseline influences course and prognosis

Inconclusive evidence regarding influence of untreated psychiatric comorbidity

Kyle, 21, 3rd year CS major

Initial presentation: Nov 2008 Chronic LUQ abdominal wall and

recurrent periumbilical pain, GERD Recently seen in ER: normal CT and labs Per PCP (at Student Health): Bentyl for

suspected IBS, Prilosec for GERD “RTC if no improvement or symptoms

worsen.”

Kyle: Jan 2009

Patient calls with worsening, persistent pain: Extensive GI workup done over break in NoVa:

EGD, bloodwork, repeat CT, camera endoscopy; GI told him: “liver biopsy is the next step.”

Vicodin from GI Bentyl, Elavil, Prilosec from PCP (student health) KUB ordered to rule out stones: negative.

Endorses depression & anxiety; requests referral to CAPS. Referred out to CBT therapist: “Nice guy, but he didn’t

help.”

Kyle: May 2009

Referred to MD in CAPS, for 2nd opinion. Endorses panic attacks, “constant anxiety” using Dad’s Xanax requests “a benzo,” refuses an SSRI.

History of depression with suicide attempt at 13. Past meds: Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor,

Cymbalta, Elavil. All cause atypical, intolerable side effects.

Therapists are “nice but not helpful”; felt mistreated by 3 psychiatrists.

Help seeking, help-rejecting, insecure attachment style noted.

Kyle: September 2009

Mirtazepine, TENS unit, nortriptyline tried. Now on clonazepam prn and trazodone.

Biofeedback helps with sleep, not pain.

Intensifying suicidal thoughts related to the relentless pain.

Discussed with treatment team. Patient aware, agrees to meet another CAPS psychiatrist for one-time 2nd opinion.

Kyle: September 2009

2nd Psychiatric assessment reveals: childhood history of sexual abuse by his

brother, which parents “didn’t buy” remote and recent cutting. Frequent appointments are comforting,

but he fears “wasting the doctor’s time”. Recommendations:

psychodynamic therapy minimize psychotropic medication.

Kyle, May 2010

Patient met therapist twice a week for 4 months; now meets with psychiatrist weekly. Focus has shifted to reducing, not eliminating pain,

and on his unsupported negative self-evaluation. Clonidine for pain and BP is partially effective

Coordinated referral to pain specialist : Recommendation: Trileptal or Nucynta (tapentadol,

a mu-opioid receptor agonist and NRI active in pain-signaling pathways).

One week later: “Pain free.” Summer break: scheduled visits offered; he

prefers email contact.

Jay,23, 2rd year med student

Initial presentation: Nov 3, 20091. LUQ abdominal discomfort2. chronic loose stools3. chronic GERD with concern about long-

term PPI use.4. Lymphadenopathy, panic attack,

concerned about cancer.5. Chronic tremor and tongue numbness.

Jay: initial workup & plan Screening labs

GI symptoms: CMP, lipase, TSH LAD: CBC with differential

Bentyl GI referral (per patient request) CAPS referral for anxiety with panic

attack. Patient encouraged to use walk-in hours.

Follow-up scheduled to address chronic tremor and tongue numbness

Jay: follow-up Feb 18

Since last visit: new concern for elevated BP: 140s/80s at home since

last visit, and at GI office visit Now predominanty constipated. GI started Kapidex and Benefiber, scheduled EGD,

ordered TTG. Lymphadenopathy without constitutional symptoms

persists. Patient is worried about being seen in CAPS. “Patient expresses preoccupation with his own

health….For any symptoms he tends to jump to a terminal illness diagnosis for himself.” He spends hours daily looking up diagnoses, surfing online forums, performing self-exams, daily temp.

Jay: follow-up workup & plan BP: Stop body-building supplement; recheck in 2

weeks. GI: plan per consultant LN: 2 normal CBCs separated by 3 months; recheck

HIV serology for completion. PPD reviewed (8/09), CXR to rule out mediastinal LAD. “I do not think it is worth launching into a large workup for the LN w/out any other symptoms, and I explained this to the patient today.”

Anxiety: clonazepam 0.5mg q12h prn; referral to Med-Psych colleague for 2nd opinion. “...follow up with me or with Dr A after he has had a 2nd opinion. I am happy to continue working with him.”

Jay: 2nd opinion visit

April 2010 BP: off supplement, within normal limits LN: reporting epitrochlear nodes, “which

we learned are never normal”. Has scheduled an appointment with Heme-Onc attending for a definitive opinion on this concern.

GI: diagnosed with celiac disease; not yet on gluten-free diet.

Anxiety: won’t go to CAPS; wants to start an SSRI.

Susan, 20: postprandial pain Recovering from Anorexia nervosa, still

in weight-gain phase of treatment. Normal physical exam except for low

BMI, no alarm symptoms. Work-up:

Serology for celiac disease ESR for Inflammatory Bowel Disease CBC for infection Comprehensive metabolic Amylase

Neil, 21: Headache and insomnia GP6D deficiency, alpha-thalassemia trait

with mild anemia Normal physical exam except for

severely depressed affect, no alarm symptoms. Neurology consultation: imaging, HA meds Referral to CAPS: resistant to behavioral

techniques but open to psychodynamic psychotherapy

Limited medication trials and reiteration of sleep hygiene for insomnia

Kara, 19: Chest pain

PE notable for reproducible costochondral tenderness, otherwise normal.

Patient previously seen in CAPS for anxiety and long history of disordered eating. EKG Basic metabolic panel & CBC Event monitoring

Review of recommendations

The relationship is the key! Frequent scheduled contact Standardized, centralized care Set limits

specialists medications tests

Support systems Patient-centered Clinician-centered

University of Virginia

Acknowledgments

My colleagues in General Medicine Meredith Hayden, Amber Pendleton, Neil

Silva, Claire Veber My colleagues in CAPS

Daniel Ciudin, Emily Lape, Katy Rice, Rafael Triana

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