Are unexplained vaginal symptoms associated with psychosocial distress? A pilot investigation.
J Prim Health Care
; 2(2): 150-4, 2010 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20690306
ABSTRACT
AIM:
Vaginal complaints cannot be definitively diagnosed in approximately one-third of women. We sought to determine if women without a diagnosis had higher levels of psychiatric disorders.METHODS:
This was an observational study in an urban family practice clinic. Prior to seeing a clinician, women with vaginal complaints completed the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ); symptoms were measured by the Vaginal Complaints Scale (VCS). Patients were then examined and treated by a family physician. At one and two weeks' time patients were contacted by phone regarding symptom resolution and clinical outcomes.RESULTS:
We enrolled 47 patients; one patient was excluded. A diagnosis was made in 36. Eighteen had bacterial vaginosis, 16 had candida, three trichomonas, two HSV, one chlamydia; there were eight dual diagnoses. PHQ diagnoses were slightly less common in women without an identified cause for their symptoms. We obtained follow-up data from 45 subjects at one week and 34 subjects at two weeks' time. At two weeks' follow-up, 97% of subjects had complete resolution or improvement of their symptoms. Symptom improvement was equivalent among women with a diagnosis and those without. We estimate 180 subjects would be needed to detect a clinically meaningful difference in PHQ diagnoses.DISCUSSION:
Our pilot study did not find an association between psychiatric diagnoses made by the PHQ and unexplained vaginal symptoms. Nearly all patients experienced rapid resolution of symptoms irrespective of whether a diagnosis had been made or not. These findings are limited primarily by the small sample size.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estresse Psicológico
/
Doenças Vaginais
/
Medicina de Família e Comunidade
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Prim Health Care
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos