Intensity of depressive episodes and appearance of somatic symptoms in patients from the Psychopathology Service at Hospital Nacional de Clínicas

Abstract

Abstract: 

Depressive episodes are characterized by mental and somatic symptoms. Among the mental ones we have: difficulties in thinking and remembering, sadness, loss of interest and enjoyment, feelings of emptiness, guilt, worthlessness, etc.; among the somatic symptoms (functional organic alteration): insomnia, hyporexia, weight loss, fatigue, constipation, diffuse pain, palpitations, dyspnea, etc.

The objectives of the study, carried out in the year 2.019, were to determine the intensity of depressive episodes and inquire about the presence of somatic symptoms in patients attending the Psychopathology Service of the National Hospital of Clinics.

The material and methods consisted of an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, survey-type study using a self-administered questionnaire. Sample selection: simple random sampling (n = 80). Instrument: Beck's Depression Inventory, a reliable and validated instrument, consisting of 21 items, classifying intensity of depressive episodes as: mild, (score range 10-15), mild-moderate (16-19), moderate-severe (20-29) and severe (≥30) with cut-off points based on the degree of disability that the symptoms generate. On the other hand, 10 of the items evaluate somatic symptoms, which were separated into presentation ranges (1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 6, 7 to 8 and 9 to 10). For the statistical analysis of the data, frequency tables were made to indicate absolute frequencies and percentages, as well as the Chi2 test to analyze differences in the percentage distributions, establishing an α error at the level of statistical significance of a p≤ 0.05 %

The results in the total sample: Intensity of depression: mild: 36%, mild-moderate: 16.3%, moderate-severe: 35.0% and severe: 12.5%. Regarding the frequency of presentation of somatic symptoms, it was found: 1 to 2: 1.3%, 3 to 4: 15.0%, 5 to 6: 43.8%, 7 to 8: 28.8% and 9 to 10: 11.3%.

Regarding the conclusions, the prevailing intensities were the mild and the moderate-severe intensity. The highest frequency of presentation of somatic symptoms was in the middle of the ranges (five to eight symptoms), being low in the ranges’ extremes (1 to 2, 3 to 4 and 9 to 10).