[Occupation of health care system because of body complaints by young people--results of a representative survey].
In a sample of adolescents between 14 and 25 years of age (n=266), drawn from a sample of 2089 representatively selected people, we found that a significant part of the adolescents suffers from physical complaints. The regions which were most frequently affected were head or face (33%), back (24%), and stomach (22%). We did not find significant influences of sociodemographic parameters like age, gender and residence on the prevalence of physical complaints in adolescents. Adolescents occupy the health care system frequently because of physical complaints. In comparison to adults, younger people suffer less from physical complaints and occupy the health care system significantly less often. It seems that somatoform complaints begin in young age, but that they do not reach their chronic form until adulthood. Early interventions are necessary to reduce individual suffering and to act in an economically responsible way.
Hessel
Aike
A
Universität Leipzig, Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatische Medizin. aikeh@web.de
Geyer
Michael
M
Brähler
Elmar
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data