Patients with medically unexplained symptoms

Abstract

Numerous patients in hospital medicine present with physical symptoms but can be given no substantive medical diagnosis. In this article we describe certain characteristics and management problems associated with this difficult group of patients and propose effective approaches to management.

A sudden outbreak of illness suggestive of mass hysteria in schoolchildren

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To clarify factors contributing to mass illness of sudden onset by studying an outbreak that was apparently triggered by a gaseous odor and that involved a rapid, extensive response by school and fire officials.

SETTING:

Urban elementary school.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:

A standardized student questionnaire was designed to identify potential illness predictors.

DESIGN:

Hazardous chemicals: psychological dimensions of the health sequelae of a community exposure in Texas

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE:

A chemical spill from an oil refinery exposed the local community to more than 40,000 lb of highly toxic and corrosive hydrofluoric acid. A community based symptom prevalence study found an association between exposure and physical symptoms: the psychological impact of the disaster and its potential effect on the reporting of physical symptoms is examined here.

DESIGN:

The study used a population based survey design consisting of two phases: phase I, the exposure phase, and, phase II, the symptom prevalence phase.

SUBJECTS:

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