The influence of depression and anxiety on the course of somatization in primary case

Somatization often co-exists with depression or anxiety. The implications of such comorbidity on the course of somatization in primary care are unclear. In a large international study conducted in primary care settings of 14 countries, stability of somatization over a 12-month period was unrelated to the co-occurrence of depression or of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). However, persistence of somatization was a risk factor for the emergence of new episodes of depression and of GAD after one year. Conversely, the incidence of somatization syndrome was increased among individuals who had either depression or GAD 12 months earlier. The data provide no evidence to suggest that the outcome of somatization is influenced by comorbidity with depression or GAD. However, somatization is more likely to develop among depressed or anxious primary care patients.