Table 4.
Cross-sectional analysis in a time frame of 4 years (2004–2008): relation of duration of episodes and the presence of a mental health episode
| Episodes | Number of short episodes | Number of long episodes | Number of episodes with depression or anxiety | Odds ratio (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somatoform | ||||
| Tiredness | 881 | 119 | 116 | 0.711 (0.41 to 1.23) |
| Fainting | 238 | 19 | 25 | 0.892 (0.19 to 4.23) |
| Abdominal pain | 116 | 9 | 9 | 0.592 (0.06 to 5.48) |
| Nausea | 201 | 17 | 35 | 0.604 (0.18 to 2.00) |
| Constipation | 465 | 192 | 62 | 0.736 (0.42 to 1.30 |
| Palpitations | 267 | 58 | 33 | 0.970 (0.38 to 2.48) |
| Low back complaint | 1179 | 254 | 118 | 0.824 (0.51 to 1.32) |
| Chest symptoms | 735 | 54 | 50 | 1.168 (0.35 to 3.90) |
| Muscle pain | 302 | 49 | 35 | 0.652 (0.25 to 1.71) |
| Headache | 440 | 75 | 64 | 0.528 (0.27 to 1.01) |
| Dizziness | 448 | 60 | 32 | 0.357 (0.14 to 0.90) |
| Disturbances of sleep | 447 | 205 | 81 | 0.560 (0.34 to 0.91) |
| Shortness of breath | 236 | 16 | 33 | Too few long episodes |
| Somatic | ||||
| Lymph gland enlargement | 129 | 7 | 10 | Too few long episodes |
| Localised abdominal pain | 634 | 80 | 71 | 0.991 (0.46 to 2.16) |
| Diarrhoea | 290 | 32 | 28 | 0.713 (0.23 to 2.23) |
| Red eye | 101 | 2 | 9 | Too few long episodes |
| Swollen ankles | 218 | 90 | 22 | 0.328 (0.13 to 0.81) |
| Shoulder symptoms | 440 | 91 | 37 | 1.404 (0.53 to 3.74) |
| Hand/finger symptoms | 362 | 52 | 35 | 0.565 (0.23 to 1.38) |
| Hip symptoms | 281 | 34 | 27 | 0.879 (0.25 to 3.14) |
| Tingling fingers/toes/feet | 93 | 6 | 11 | 0.215 (0.03 to 1.44) |
| Cough | 949 | 107 | 112 | 0.690 (0.38 to 1.24) |
| Throat symptoms | 488 | 41 | 44 | 0.264 (0.12 to 0.60 |
| Pruritus | 251 | 56 | 30 | 2.050 (0.59 to 7.11) |
| Urinary frequency | 301 | 22 | 34 | 0.477 (0.12 to 1.89) |
Short episodes = ≤3 months. Long episodes = >3 months.