Prevalence and Rapid Screen Method of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research Syndromes in Human Papillomavirus-Infected Patients

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The early and rapid identification of psychosomatic symptoms is crucial to prevent harmful outcomes in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in busy comprehensive clinics. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and rapid screening method of the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research-revised (DCPR) syndromes in patients with HPV infection. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 504 participants underwent a clinical assessment that included DCPR, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), fear of disease, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. The prevalence of DCPR syndromes and DSM-5 diagnoses were compared between the HPV-positive and negative patients using χ² tests. We explored the rapid screen indicator through multiple logistic regression analyses of the participants’ psychosocial factors, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The incidence of DCPR syndromes in HPV-positive patients (56.6%) was significantly greater than that in HPV-negative patients (17.3%) and DSM-5 diagnoses (8.5%) in the HPV-positive group. Health anxiety, irritable mood, type A behavior, and demoralization were the most common psychosomatic syndromes in HPV-positive patients. As the degree of fear increased from 0 to 5 to 10, the risk of DCPR increased from 1.27 (95% CI: 0.21–7.63) to 3.24 (score range: 1–5, 95% CI: 1.01–10.39) to 9.91 (score range: 6–10, 95% CI: 3.21–30.62) in the HPV-positive group. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The degree of fear, as an independent risk factor, could be used to quickly screen outpatients with a high risk of DCPR syndrome among women with HPV infection.