[Somatoform disorders. Analysis of 43 patients in an unit of internal medicine. Diagnostic attitude and proposal of management]. / Les troubles somatoformes. Analyse de 43 patients d'un service de Médecine Interne. Attitude diagnostique et proposition de prise en charge.

The frequency of hospitalization for somatoform disorders in France has been difficult to evaluate owing to the lack of papers published on this subject. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 43 patients hospitalized on an internal medicine ward for whom this diagnosis was retained enabled us to characterize this population according to the following criteria: socioeconomic-professional group, family environment, probable triggering factors, and patient's evolution before and after hospitalization. Based on this study, we propose a diagnostic approach to and some guidelines for management of these patients, and discuss their place in internal medicine.