Correlates of hypochondriasis in a nonclinical population

Because few community surveys of hypochondriasis have been completed, littl e is known about the epidemiology of this disorder outside of clinical popu lations. To address this deficiency, the authors obtained information about hypochondriasis and pertinent characteristics from a group of first-degree relatives of hypochondriacal and nonhypochondriacal probands who participa ted in a family study. In addition to psychiatric diagnoses, the authors el icited information on demographic variables, medical history, impairment in functioning, psychiatric comorbidity, psychiatric symptoms, personality tr aits, and childhood experiences. The authors identified hypochondriasis in 7.7% of the relatives. These relatives had a high rate of comorbid anxiety, depressive, and somatoform disorders. They also reported substantial physi cal and psychological impairment, including diminished work performance and disability. In addition, these relatives reported greater utilization of h ealth care but less satisfaction with that care. These relatives showed mos t of the same characteristics found in earlier studies of hypochondriacal p atients.