Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Picardi, A. Articles by Fava, G. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Picardi, A. Articles by Fava, G. A. Primary Care Syndromes Secondary to General Medical Disorders Diagnostic Criteria

Integration of Multiple Criteria for Psychosomatic Assessment of Dermatological Patients

Received February 1, 2005; revised April 11, 2005; accepted May 17, 2005. From the Dermatological Institute IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy; the Psychosomatic Unit, IRCCS De Bellis Hospital, Castellana Grotte, Italy; the Dept. of Psychology, University of Bologna, Italy; and the Dept. of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Buffalo. Send correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Picardi, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Dermatological Institute IDI-IRCCS, Via dei Monti di Creta, 104-00167 Rome, Italy. e-mail: a.picardi{at}idi.it

Psychological distress has been frequently reported in the setting of skin disorders. The Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) have been found to yield valuable integrative information, in addition to DSM–IV nosology, in a variety of medical diseases. The aim of this study was to verify whether this integration could also be helpful in dermatology. A consecutive series of 539 inpatients with various skin conditions was evaluated by means of structured interviews for DSM–IV and DCPR diagnoses. The prevalence of DSM–IV conditions was 38% (mostly depressive disorders and anxiety disorders), whereas that of DCPR clusters (mostly demoralization and somatization secondary to psychopathology) was 48%. Overall, DCPR diagnoses were significantly more frequent than DSM–IV categories, regardless of the presence or absence of a psychiatric disorder. Psychological assessment of patients with skin diseases needs to incorporate both clinical (DSM–IV) and subclinical (DCPR) methods of classification. The health status of these patients can be improved if their psychological problems are appropriately assessed and recognized.

Key Words: Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) • Dermatology • Psychopathology

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J Sloan Soft tissue injuries: introduction and basic principles Emerg. Med. J., January 1, 2008; 25(1): 33 - 37. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2006 Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us