title: Tinnitus: clinical experience of the psychosomatic connection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The connection between psychopathology and tinnitus is complex and not adequately studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between tinnitus and psychiatric comorbidities from different points of view: categorical, dimensional, temperamental, and perceived stress level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and thirty-nine patients affected by tinnitus were recruited between January and October 2012. Patients underwent a preliminary battery of tests including the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Symptom Check List (SCL90-R), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), and Stress-Related Vulnerability Scale (VRS), and eventually a full psychiatric evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and fourteen patients (48% of the total sample) presented psychiatric comorbidity. Among these, a higher prevalence of depression, somatization, obsession, and anxiety was found. More than 41% of patients affected by decompensated tinnitus reported a family history of psychiatric disorders. Significant positive correlations between the psychopathological screening tools (SCL90-R and VRS) and THI were found. Patients affected by comorbid psychiatric disorder showed specific temperamental and characterial predispositions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatric comorbidity in subjects affected by tinnitus is frequent. Stress can be considered as a factor leading to damage and dysfunction of the auditory apparatus. The vulnerability to neurotic disorders and the lack of coping capabilities can play a critical role in the clinical history of patients affected by severe tinnitus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salviati
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco Saverio
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Bersani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terlizzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Melcore
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panico
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Graziella Francesca
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Guiseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valeriani
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.affiliation: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altissimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mazzei
authors.affiliation: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Testugini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Latini
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Delle Chiaie
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Acute Psychiatric Ward (Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura - SPDC), Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biondi
authors.affiliation: Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cianfrone
keywords: personality; psychopathological dimensions; psychosomatics; stress; tinnitus