title: Shenjing shuairuo and the DSM-IV: diagnosis, distress, and disability in a Chinese primary care setting.
abstract: This study examines diagnostic concordance, symptomatology and disability among Chinese patients with shenjing shuairuo, ICD-10 neurasthenia, and DSM-IV diagnoses. Patients (N=139) with unexplained somatic complaints completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Shenjing shuairuo could be reclassified as DSM-IV undifferentiated somatoform disorder (30.6%) and somatoform pain disorder (22.4%); however, 44.9% did not qualify for a core DSM-IV diagnosis. Concordance of neurasthenia and shenjing shuairuo was significant (p < .001). Symptom distress and disability was similar to that reported by patients with somatoform and anxiety disorders. Within the Chinese context, shenjing shuairuo describes a heterogeneous group with clinically significant levels of disturbance and disability.
authors.affiliation: Ohio University, USA. changd@newschool.edu
authors.forename: Doris F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hector F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.forename: Yalin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jingping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Shunying
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D009440:Neurasthenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic