Somatization in primary care: a comparative survey of immigrants from various ethnic groups in Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVE
Those responsible for interviewing immigrants in primary care settings often underestimate the importance of somatic symptoms arising from psychological distress. This study investigates the current prevalence of somatization in immigrants, and evaluates the comparative rates of somatic complaints in four ethnic groups (Caucasians, Asians, South/Center Americans, and Africans).


METHODS
We studied the 301 consecutive outpatients (aged between 16 and 70 years) attending the "Caritas" primary care unit for immigrants in Rome (Italy) from January to December 2003, all of whom completed the 21-item version of the Bradford Somatic Inventory (BSI-21). Patients scoring 14 or more on the BSI-21 were considered at risk for somatization.


RESULTS
The current prevalence of somatization was 35.2%; 62.3% of the somatizers were women. A multiple regression analysis adjusting for the possible confounding effects of sex, age, education, and months of stay in Italy showed that South/Central Americans had significantly higher somatization scores than the other three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a high probability of somatization syndromes in immigrant patients. South/Central Americans tend to somatize more than other ethnic groups. A psychosomatic approach may be useful for immigrants in primary care settings.
"Caritas" Health Service Network, Rome, Italy.
Massimiliano
M
Aragona
Lorenzo
L
Tarsitani
Francesco
F
Colosimo
Barbara
B
Martinelli
Hassan
H
Raad
Bianca
B
Maisano
Salvatore
S
Geraci
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires