Mirai Miyoshi, Rieko Takanashi, Kayoko Taguchi, Tokiko Yoshida, Kohei Kurita, Eiji Shimizu
PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences 4(1) e70082 2025年3月
AIM: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is prevalent in primary healthcare settings and is often challenging to diagnose and treat. This study examined the neurodevelopmental and personality traits of individuals with probable SSD. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilized anonymous online surveys. In this study, individuals with a score of 23 or higher on the Somatic Symptom Disorder-B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) were defined as having probable SSD, and individuals with no somatic symptoms and who scored 0 were defined as the healthy control (HC) group. We compared groups regarding neurodevelopmental traits, personality traits, depression, and anxiety using self-report questionnaires and analysis of covariance. In addition, we examined the association between neurodevelopmental traits, emotional problems, and SSD in the probable SSD group using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: A total of 491 people with probable SSD and 532 age- and sex-matched HCs were analyzed. The scores for somatic symptom severity, depression, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder traits, autism spectrum disorder traits, personality traits, and personality disorder traits showed significant differences between the probable SSD group and the HC group. In the probable SSD group, neurodevelopmental traits positively and directly affected emotional problems and SSD. CONCLUSION: Most neurodevelopmental and personality traits were associated with probable SSD. When approaching patients suspected of having SSD, clinicians may consider not only somatic symptoms, but also neurodevelopmental traits, personality traits, depression, and anxiety.