Clinical importance of systematic assessment and psychoeducation in specialised treatment of adolescents with severe functional somatic disorders

• Published in: EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY 2022-06, Vol.65 (S1), p.S143-S143
• Main Authors: Kallesøe, K., Schröder, A., Wicksell, R., Rask, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstract; Clinical outcomes; E-Poster Presentation; functional somatic disorders; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; psychoeducation; Teenagers
• ISSN: 0924-9338; 1778-3585
• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2022.386

IntroductionFunctional somatic disorders (FSD) characterized by persistent and disabling physical symptoms are common in youth. Diagnostic uncertainty and insufficient illness explanations are proposed as perpetuating factors for FSD and may furthermore serve as barriers for treatment engagement.ObjectivesThe present study is part of a larger randomized trial and aimed at evaluating the impact of systematic assessment and psychoeducation on various clinical outcomes for adolescents suffering from severe FSD.MethodsNinety-one adolescents (15-19 years) with severe FSD of at least 1 year’s duration were included in the randomized trial AHEAD (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Health in Adolescents). All participants received a thorough assessment (approximately 4 hrs.) and a subsequent psychiatric consultation (1.5 hrs) focusing on further psychoeducation and health promoting strategies. Clinical outcomes included self-reported physical health (SF-36), symptom severity, illness perception, illness related behaviour and psychological flexibility. Questionnaires were distributed at baseline (before assessment) and 2 months after randomisation. Data were analysed using simple t-tests.ResultsAssessment and psychiatric consultation were not associated with a clinically relevant improvement of physical health, mean difference 0.23 95% CI [-0.95;1.41] p=0.701. However, a considerate decline was seen on symptom severity (p=0.017), illness worry (p