The prevalence of psychosomatic symptoms among adolescent in Brod-Posavina County

Cilj istraživanja: Istražiti učestalost psihosomatskih simptoma (PSS) i rizične činitelje za njihovu pojavu među učenicima srednjih škola Brodsko-posavske županije. Nacrt studije: Presječno istraživanje. Ispitanici i metode: Istraživanje koje je provedeno tijekom školske godine 2019./2020. obuhvatilo je učenike prvih i završnih razreda srednjih škola na području grada Slavonskog Broda koje pohađaju djeca s područja Brodsko-posavske županije. Ispitanici su ispunili Opći upitnik o socoiodemografskim podatcima te Upitnik o psihosomatskih simptomima za djecu i adolescente. Rezultati: Istraživanje je provedeno na 402 ispitanika dobi medijana 18 godina (interkvartilnog raspona od 16 do 18 godina), s većom zastupljenošću ženskog spola - 289 (71,9 %). Od ukupnog broja ispitanika, njih 284 (60,7 %) doživjelo je 6 – 20 od 35 somatskih simptoma u posljednja 3 mjeseca; medijan broja simptoma je 15 (interkvartilnog raspona od 10 do 20), medijan procjene učestalosti pojedinih simptoma je 54 (interkvartilnog raspona od 47 do 63), a procjena ometanja 48 (interkvartilnog raspona od 41 do 57). Najzastupljeniji simptom koji su naveli ispitanici je manjak energije / umor, a navodi ga čak 372 (92,5 %) ispitanika. Kliničke značajne PSS-e prema broju prijavilo je 87 (21,6 %) ispitanika, a prema učestalosti njih 79 (19,8 %), ometanje je prijavilo 84 (20,9 %) ispitanika. Čimbenici povezani s klinički značajnim PSS-ima su stanovanje u ruralnoj sredini, vrijeme provedeno pred elektroničkom napravom, lošija samoprocjena općeg zdravlja i posjete liječniku. Spol ispitanika, prisutnost osobne ili obiteljske bolesti te stupanj obrazovanja roditelja nisu povezani s klinički značajnim PSS-ima. Zaključak: Visoka je učestalost samoprijavljenih PSS-a, a umjerena je učestalost klinički značajnih PSS-a prema broju, samoprocjeni učestalosti i ometanja.Aim: The aim of this research is to investigate the frequency of psychosomatic symptoms and the risk factors contributing to those symptoms among high school students in Brodskoposavska County. Type of research: Cross-sectional study Methods: Research has been conducted during the school year 2019/2020. Participants in this research are high school students attending first and last year of their high school education. All of them attend school and live in Brodsko-posavska County. Participants have filled in a questionnaire containing sociodemographic data and questions about psychosomatic symptoms for children and adolescents. Results: This research has included 402 participants at the median age of 18 years (interquartile range between 16 and 18 years) where 289 (71, 9%) participants were females. More than half participants, 284 (60, 7%), has experienced six to 20 out of 35 somatic symptoms in the last three months; median number of symptoms is 15 (interquartile range is from 10 to 20), median frequency of the symptoms is 54 (interquartile range from 47 to 63), and assessed interference is 48 (interquartile range from 41 to 57). The most common symptom stated in the answers is lack of energy/ fatigue, 372 (92, 5%). Clinically relevant psychosomatic symptoms have been reported in 87 (21, 6%) cases; in relation to their frequency, 79 (19, 8%) participants and, in relation to interference, 84 (20, 9%) participants. Factors related to clinically relevant symptoms are life in rural community, time spent using an electronic device, poor self-assessment of one’s general health and medical examinations. Other factors, like gender, personal or hereditary diseases and level of parents’ education, are not related to clinically relevant symptoms. Conclusion: There is a high frequency of self-reported psychosomatic symptoms, while clinically relevant symptoms are mildly frequent in relation to number, self-assessment of frequency and interference