Follow-up study comparing somatization and conversion disorders

The purpose of this study was to compare groups of patients meeting diagnostic criteria both by chart review and on follow-up evaluation 4 to 6 years later for either somatization or conversion disorder. The comparison looks at differences that are not reflected in differences in diagnostic criteria. Of 70 patients who were assigned these diagnoses according to chart review and located for a follow-up interview, 51 had a stable diagnosis. It is evident that the 29 somatization disorder patients have more psychiatric complaints than the 22 conversion disorder patients. This is particularly true for anxiety and affective symptoms. However, the somatization disorder patients do not perceive themselves as being worse mentally. Furthermore, despite complaints among the somatization disorder patients of worse social and role functioning, there is no difference in work impairment or social relations compared with the conversion disorder patients.