주요우울증 환자의 TRH 검사 반응과 신체 증상관의 관계

The Association between the TRH Stimulation Test Response and Somatic Symptoms in the Patients with Major Depression

Objects : This study was designed for the evaluation of the association between the TRH stimulation test response and somatic symptoms in the patients with major depression. Methods :The subjects were consisted of 26 depressed patients. They received a TRH stimulation test Their alexithymic trend were assessed with SSPS and their subjective symptoms were assessed with SAS and SDS at least 1 week before the test The frequency of their somatic symptoms were evaluated through interview using the symptom list in the somatization disorder in DSM-III-R. The subjects were divided into the blunted response group and the non-blunted response group according to the response of TRH stimulation test and the frequency of their somatic symptoms, alexithymic trend and subjective symptoms were compared between the two groups. Results : 1) There were no significant difference of sex, age and the score of current GAF (global assessment of functioning) between the blunted response group and the non-blunted response group. 2) The score of SSPS was significantly higher in the blunted response group than that in the non-blunted response group statistically(P=0.035). There were no significant difference in two self-report scales. 3) Abdominal discomforts(P =0.039) and back pain(P = 0.019) were significantly higher in the blunted response group than those in the non-blunted response group. Conclusion : These results suggested that alexithymic trend, especially the score of SSPS, and some somatic symptoms such as abdominal discomforts and back pain may influence the results of TRH stimulation test in depressed patients.