DIAGNOSTIC-APPROACH TO AND MANAGEMENT OF SOMATOFORM DISORDERS - ANALYSIS OF 43 PATIENTS ON AN INTERNAL-MEDICINE WARD

The frequency of hospitalization for somatoform disorders in France ha s been difficult to evaluate owing to the lack of papers published on this subject. Retrospective analysis of the medical records of 43 pati ents hospitalized on an internal medicine ward for whom this diagnosis was retained enabled us to characterize this population according to the following criteria : socioeconomic-professional group, family envi ronment, probable triggering factors, and patient's evolution before a nd after hospitalization. Based on this study, we propose a diagnostic approach to and some guidelines for management of these patients, and discuss their place in internal medicine.