Duration Of Untreated Illness, Quality Of Life In Patients With Somatoform Disorders- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Somatoform disorders are characterized by recurrent, distressing physical symptoms without adequate medical explanation, often leading to delayed psychiatric referral and poor outcomes. Duration of untreated illness (DUI) and quality of life (QoL) are key indicators of illness burden, yet understudied in this population. Hence, we intend to assess the duration of untreated illness and its relationship with quality of life among patients with somatoform disorders.

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry in a Tertiary Care Centre at Puducherry from June 2023 to November 2024. Seventy-three adult patients diagnosed with somatoform disorders (ICD-10) were recruited using consecutive sampling. DUI was defined as the time interval between onset of clinically significant symptoms and initiation of psychiatric treatment. QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF scale across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests.

Results: Of the 73 participants, 52.1% were female, with a mean age of 35.8 years (SD ± 11.2). More than half (50.7%) reported a DUI exceeding 12 months. Females had significantly longer DUI than males (18.3 vs. 15.2 months). Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder was the most common diagnosis (37%). QoL scores were lowest in the psychological domain (mean = 3.7, SD = 1.1). DUI showed a negative correlation with QoL across all domains, most strongly with the physical domain (r = –0.22).

Conclusion: Patients with somatoform disorders experience prolonged untreated illness and impaired quality of life, particularly in psychological functioning. Early recognition, timely psychiatric referral, and psychosocial support are essential to improve outcomes.