title: Is chronic pain associated with somatization/hypochondriasis? An evidence-based structured review.
abstract: METHODS
  This is an evidence-based structured review.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this review were to answer the following questions: (1) Are somatization/hypochondriasis associated with chronic pain? (2) Is the degree of somatization/hypochondriasis related to pain levels? (3) Does pain treatment improve somatization/hypochondriasis? (4) Are some pain diagnoses differentially associated with somatization/hypochondriasis?
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-seven studies which fulfilled inclusion criteria and had high quality scores were sorted by the above-mentioned objectives. Agency for health care policy and research guidelines were utilized to type and characterize the strength/consistency of the study evidence within each objective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Somatization and hypochondriasis were both consistently associated with chronic pain (consistency ratings B and A, respectively). Study evidence indicated a correlation between pain intensity and presence of somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating A and B, respectively). Pain treatment improved somatization and hypochondriasis (consistency rating B and A, respectively). Some chronic pain diagnostic groups somatized more (consistency rating B).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Somatization is commonly associated with chronic pain and may relate to pain levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33136, USA. d.fishbain@miami.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fishbain
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Jinrun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Brandly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Steele Rosomoff
mesh_terms: D001244:Association; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006998:Hypochondriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods