title: How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the frequency of symptoms in a general population sample over the previous week and the associations between symptom reporting and demographic factors, medical visits and medication use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative general population sample (n=1000) was recruited using random digit dialling. Participants were asked whether they had experienced any of a list of 46 symptoms in the previous 7 days and if so, whether the symptom was mild, moderate or severe. Demographic data and information on medical visits and medication use were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptom reporting was very common. The median number of symptoms reported by participants in the previous week was 5 with only 10.6% of participants reporting no symptoms. The five most common symptoms in the previous 7 days were: back pain (38%), fatigue (36%), headache (35%), runny or stuffy nose (34%) and joint pain (34%). The five symptoms rated highest in terms of severity were sexual difficulties, vomiting, tremor, suicidal thoughts and sleep problems. Symptom reporting was significantly positively associated with medical visits in the previous year and current medication taking. Women reported a significantly greater number of symptoms. We found no significant association between age or household size and symptom reporting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This population-based study found that symptoms are more commonly experienced in the general population than previously estimated and are strongly associated with healthcare visits. Appreciation of the high prevalence of symptoms may help normalise the experience of symptom reports among the general population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Petrie
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faasse
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crichton
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grey
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013689:Telephone
keywords: Epidemiology; General Medicine (see Internal Medicine); Public Health