Browsing by Author "Cervin, Clara"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Restricted
    Age, sex and mental distress as predictors of rate and deterioration of persistent physical symptoms over three and six years in a general population
    (2026) Fjellborg, Karl; Cervin, Clara; Witthöft, Michael; Köteles Ferenc Gábor; Nordin, Steven; Pszichológiai Intézet; Általános Lélektani és Módszertani Tanszék; KRE - Bölcsészet- és Társadalomtudományi Kar
    Background: Better understanding for persistent physical symptoms (PPS) may improve prevention of symptoms from becoming persistent and deteriorating over time. This study tested the hypotheses of age and level of mental distress symptoms of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and burnout statistically predicting rate of PPS and deterioration of PPS over three and six years in a general adult population. We also addressed whether sex is associated with these two aspects of PPS. Method: A population-based sample (n = 1837) aged 18–79 years from Vasterbotten ¨ in Sweden was used. Longitudinal data were collected based on the 15-item Patient Health Questionnaire for PPS assessment as well as other validated questionnaire instruments at baseline and 3- and 6-year follow-up. Deterioration was assessed with the reliable change index paradigm. Chi-square tests and analyses of covariance were applied. Results: Old age was found to statistically predict deterioration, but not long-term rate, of PPS over three and six years, and female sex to predict rate, but not deterioration. Symptom levels of all four types of mental distress predicted both PPS rate (η2 = 0.097–0.202) and deterioration (η2 = 0.007–0.023) over both three and six years. When controlling for the other three types of mental distress, sleep disturbance, and in particular burnout, explained most unique variance in predicting rate and deterioration. Conclusions: The findings encourage healthcare professionals to assess PPS at an early stage, especially in persons at old age, in women and in patients with mental distress.