Abstract
Objective: To describe the psychiatric and medical characteristics of patients with chronic and recurrent abdominal pain referred over 12 months to a new pain clinic in a University teaching hospital. This presentation will describe the psychiatric and medical diagnoses to be found among this cohort and will also examine the cohort for the presence of risk factors for abnormal illness behaviour.
Method: All patients referred to the Nepean Chronic Pain Service receive a multidisciplinary assessment. This assessment includes a medical, psychiatric, occupational and physiotherapy assessment. Clinical investigations and referrals to other clinicians are organised when required on the basis of the intake evaluation. Medical and psychiatric diagnoses are made at multidisciplinary case conferences after the clinical data from all sources is evaluated.
Results: A cohort of 15 patients with recurrent or chronic abdominal pain was identified. The psychiatric morbidity included mood disorders, anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, substance use disorders and personality disorders. Risk factors for abnormal illness behaviour was present in a significant number of this cohort. The range of medical diagnoses will be described at the presentation.