Somatic Symptoms in Patients With Cancer Experiencing Pain or Depression

Abstract

Somatic symptoms have been the subject of numerous studies^1,2 in the general population and in primary care and specialty clinic settings. Somatic symptoms account for more than half of all general medical visits, lack a definitive medical explanation one-third to half of the time, and are frequently persistent. Physical and psychological factors seem to contribute to somatic symptom reporting, even in patients with chronic medical disorders.^3,4 These symptoms are associated with substantial functional impairment, disability, and health care use, even after controlling for medical and psychiatric comorbidity.^5-7