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Objectives: To determine the prevalence of significant health anxiety (hypochondriasis) in patients aged 16-75 in cardiology, respiratory medicine, neurological, endocrine and gastrointestinal clinics in general hospitals in London, Middlesex and North Nottinghamshire. Method: The Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) (short form) was administered to patients attending the five clinics over a 21. month period and all those who scored 20 or more invited to take part in a further assessment for a randomised controlled trial. Results: Of 43,205 patients attending the clinics 28,991 (67.1%) were assessed and of these, after exclusion of ineligible patients 5747 (19.8%) had significant health anxiety. 444 subsequently agreed to take part in a randomised controlled trial of treatment. The prevalence levels varied by clinic with neurology (24.7%) having the highest prevalence followed by respiratory medicine (20.9%), gastroenterology (19.5%), cardiology (19.1%), and endocrinology (17.5%). Conclusion: Abnormal health anxiety is common and a significant problem in those attending medical clinics and deserves greater awareness. © 2011 Elsevier Inc..

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.jpsychores.2011.07.004

Type

Journal article

Journal

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

Publication Date

01/12/2011

Volume

71

Pages

392 - 394