The relationship between self-reported somatic  symptoms and treatment outcomes in adolescent psychiatric patients

Many adolescents with psychiatric problems also experience somatic symptoms. Somatic symptoms are common, but often overlooked despite their strong interrelation with psychological problems and their role in predicting mental illnesses. Early recognition and treatment of somatic symptoms in adolescent inpatients are crucial to prevent worsening symptoms, reduce healthcare costs, and improve long-term mental and physical well-being. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of somatic symptoms and the relationship between self-reported somatic symptoms and key treatment outcomes within adolescent psychiatric inpatients, including psychological symptom reduction, treatment duration, and dropout. Method: Data were collected from 366 adolescent psychiatric inpatients (149 girls, 217 boys). Somatic and psychological symptoms were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R) at admission and discharge. Treatment duration was measured in days...Show moreMany adolescents with psychiatric problems also experience somatic symptoms. Somatic symptoms are common, but often overlooked despite their strong interrelation with psychological problems and their role in predicting mental illnesses. Early recognition and treatment of somatic symptoms in adolescent inpatients are crucial to prevent worsening symptoms, reduce healthcare costs, and improve long-term mental and physical well-being. Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of somatic symptoms and the relationship between self-reported somatic symptoms and key treatment outcomes within adolescent psychiatric inpatients, including psychological symptom reduction, treatment duration, and dropout. Method: Data were collected from 366 adolescent psychiatric inpatients (149 girls, 217 boys). Somatic and psychological symptoms were measured using the Youth Self-Report (YSR) and Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R) at admission and discharge. Treatment duration was measured in days and two categories (dropout or completer) were distinguished within dropout. Results: At admission, 51.9% (SCL-90-R) to 57.3% (YSR) of all patients reported above average to very high amounts of somatic symptoms, with girls reporting higher amounts than boys. During treatment, somatic symptoms significantly decreased on the YSR (p =.009), but not on the SCL-90-R. Psychological symptoms showed significant reductions on both instruments (p < .001). More psychological symptoms were correlated with more somatic symptoms on both measures (rs(364) > .65, p < .001). While somatic symptoms were prevalent and closely tied to psychological symptoms, somatic symptoms at admission were not independently related to psychological symptom reduction, treatment duration and dropout. Conclusion: Adolescents with high levels of somatic symptoms at admission did not show worse treatment outcomes in terms of psychological symptom reduction, treatment duration, or dropout. Therefore, the presence of high somatic symptomatology should not be considered as a contraindication or barrier for psychiatric treatment, nor as a reason to withhold or delay care. Instead, the high prevalence of somatic symptoms at admission and discharge and the strong interplay between somatic and psychological symptoms emphasize the importance of addressing somatic symptoms alongside psychological symptoms in an integrated, holistic and multidisciplinary manner to optimize treatment outcomes. Further research into targeted interventions for managing these symptoms is needed. Keywords: Somatic symptoms, treatment effectivity, adolescent psychiatry.Show less

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The relationship between self-reported somatic symptoms and treatment outcomes in adolescent psychiatric patients