TY - JOUR T1 - Do unexplained symptoms predict anxiety or depression? Ten-year data from a practice-based research network JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - e316 LP - e325 DO - 10.3399/bjgp11X577981 VL - 61 IS - 587 AU - Kees van Boven AU - Peter Lucassen AU - Hiske van Ravesteijn AU - Tim olde Hartman AU - Hans Bor AU - Evelyn van Weel-Baumgarten AU - Chris van Weel Y1 - 2011/06/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/61/587/e316.abstract N2 - Background Unexplained symptoms are associated with depression and anxiety. This association is largely based on cross-sectional research of symptoms experienced by patients but not of symptoms presented to the GP.Aim To investigate whether unexplained symptoms as presented to the GP predict mental disorders.Design and setting Cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of data from a practice-based research network of GPs, the Transition Project, in the Netherlands.Method All data about contacts between patients (n = 16 000) and GPs (n = 10) from 1997 to 2008 were used. The relation between unexplained symptoms episodes and depression and anxiety was calculated and compared with the relation between somatic symptoms episodes and depression and anxiety. The predictive value of unexplained symptoms episodes for depression and anxiety was determined.Results All somatoform symptom episodes and most somatic symptom episodes are significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Presenting two or more symptoms episodes gives a five-fold increase of the risk of anxiety or depression. The positive predictive value of all symptom episodes for anxiety and depression was very limited. There was little difference between somatoform and somatic symptom episodes with respect to the prediction of anxiety or depression.Conclusion Somatoform symptom episodes have a statistically significant relation with anxiety and depression. The same was true for somatic symptom episodes. Despite the significant odds ratios, the predictive value of symptom episodes for anxiety and depression is low. Consequently, screening for these mental health problems in patients presenting unexplained symptom episodes is not justified in primary care. ER -