The association of psychosocial factors with the resolution of abdominal pain.
Although abdominal pain is a common presenting complaint in the family practice setting, its natural history and psychosocial associations have not been clearly described. A prospective study was conducted of 92 patients who presented with abdominal pain to the University of Iowa and Cedar Rapids Family Practice Centers between September 1982 and March 1983. Patients were given a self-administered questionnaire for measuring stress, family functioning, and psychological symptoms. All patients were followed for at least six weeks. Resolution of the pain was documented by chart audit, telephone, or mail follow-up. Two-thirds of the patients experienced resolution of their pain within six to eight weeks. The scores on the Hopkins Psychological Symptom Checklist, Family APGAR, and the Daily Hassles Stress Scale did not predict resolution of pain. Age, sex, education, occupation, and final diagnosis also did not predict resolution of pain. Marital status was not associated with pain resolution, though widowed and separated individuals more often had pain at follow-up.
Adelman
A M
AM
Department of Family Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore.
Shank
J C
JC
D000005:Abdomen; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology*