Zeitschrift für psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie · 2005 · 34 citations · 4 references
MedicineOtolaryngologyPsychologyNeurotologyOtologyPsychometricsAnxiety DisordersComorbid Medical ConditionsComorbidityMental Health ComorbiditiesSymptom CharacterizationTinnitusChronic TinnitusSocial Support FunctionsSocial Support ScalesTinnitus Comorbidity AssessmentTinnitus Distress MeasurementTinnitus QuestionnairesTinnitus Severity ScalesTinnitus-related Quality Of Life
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to assess psychosomatic symptoms and comorbidity in a group of tinnitus out-patients and their correlation with tinnitus distress. METHODS: 32 subacute (duration 3-12 months) and 71 chronic tinnitus patients participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to assess tinnitus distress (German version of the TQ, VAS), psychosomatic symptoms (SCL-90-R, BDI, BAI) coping strategies (KKG, FKV), social support (F-SOZU) and interpersonal problems (IIP-D). RESULTS: 56 % of subjects met the criteria for a disorder according to DSM-IV (CIDI). Compared to the general population, there is a particularly high comorbidity with anxiety and somatoform disorders. Tinnitus distress was related to depression (BDI), tinnitus loudness and disturbance of activities (59 % explained variance). There were no substantial differences between subacute and chronic tinnitus. CONCLUSIONS: The results stress the importance of diagnostic investigation of comorbidity and psychosomatic symptoms already at the subacute stage in tinnitus patients.
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