Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course and the economic burden of somatoform disorder in adolescent. Of 81 patients who presented undifferentiated somatoform disorder at the first visit to our out-patient clinic, 12 patients participated in a follow-up study. The mean follow-up time was 6.1 years(SD 1.0). Examination was done for 2 patients using a questionnaire and for 10 patients using a questionnaire and telephone. The results showed that 6(50%)patients with undifferentiated somatoform disorder demonstrated high recovery from their symptoms at follow-up and there were only 2(17%)patients who showed inadequate help-seeking behaviors. However, in 80% of patients, functional impairments at work or study were observed. We estimated that the annual total cost of somatoform disorder was approximately \1, 520, 000. Of this total, 94% was attributable to indirect cost.
