Abstract
Aim
Features of functional somatic symptoms (FSS) and health anxiety (HA) are common in psychotic disorders as part of abnormal bodily sensations and delusional thoughtcontent. The current study aimed to examine the association between FSS and HA and subclinical psychotic experiences (PE) in preadolescence.
Methods
From the general population birth-cohort, the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 (CCC2000), 1572 children aged 11–12 participated in the current study. PE were assessed by clinicians using the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and selfreported HA and FSS were measured by the Child Illness Attitudes Scales and Child Somatization Inventory 24, respectively.
Results
After mutual adjustment and adjustment for general psychopathology, sex, puberty and chronic somatic illness, we found robust evidence for an association between PE and FFS (OR 3.3; 95% CI: 2.1–5.2) and HA (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.4–3.4). These results were recently published (1).
Conclusion
A specific link between HA, FSS and PE was found in preadolescence, encouraging further research that can explore the hypothesis that FSS and HA might play a role in the development of severe mental disorders. Future studies of the CCC2000 will examine temporal trends of the associations between PE, HA and FSS.
Features of functional somatic symptoms (FSS) and health anxiety (HA) are common in psychotic disorders as part of abnormal bodily sensations and delusional thoughtcontent. The current study aimed to examine the association between FSS and HA and subclinical psychotic experiences (PE) in preadolescence.
Methods
From the general population birth-cohort, the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 (CCC2000), 1572 children aged 11–12 participated in the current study. PE were assessed by clinicians using the Kiddie Schedule of Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and selfreported HA and FSS were measured by the Child Illness Attitudes Scales and Child Somatization Inventory 24, respectively.
Results
After mutual adjustment and adjustment for general psychopathology, sex, puberty and chronic somatic illness, we found robust evidence for an association between PE and FFS (OR 3.3; 95% CI: 2.1–5.2) and HA (OR 2.2, 95%CI 1.4–3.4). These results were recently published (1).
Conclusion
A specific link between HA, FSS and PE was found in preadolescence, encouraging further research that can explore the hypothesis that FSS and HA might play a role in the development of severe mental disorders. Future studies of the CCC2000 will examine temporal trends of the associations between PE, HA and FSS.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 112-112 |
| Journal | Journal of Psychosomatic Research |
| Volume | 121 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2019 |