Chronic abdominal complaints and perceptions

A recent study by Weijenborg et al. on the progress of patients with abdominal complaints actually replicates in a gynaecological outpatient clinic an earlier study carried out in an internal medicine outpatient clinic. Both studies show that only 9% of the patients are symptom-free at follow up. Perceptions of the complaints seemed related to improvement. What can a physician do for these patients? It is known from other publications that correct perception by the physician of patients' somatic attributions and anxiety leads to a decrease at the next consultation. Reduced somatic attributions and anxiety are also favourable for the outcome at six months follow up: patients have less severe abdominal pain and less healthcare-seeking behaviour. The Weijenborg et al. study is therefore a useful repeat study and reiterates that physicians' behaviour can be helpful during consultations.