주관적 이명 환자에서 신체화 증상 동반의 평가

Background and Objectives: The mechanism of subjective tinnitus was not identified clearly. The goal of this study is to evaluate the somatization symptoms in subjective tinnitus patients and to define the relationship between tinnitus and somatization symptoms. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 patients who were diagnosed as subjective tinnitus were included. Somatization subscales from Symptoms Check List-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) were administered to patients for the evaluation of somatization symptoms. Tinnitus handicap inventory and the subjective patterns of tinnitus by visual analogue scales were also assessed. Correlation analysis between somatization scores, THI scores and the VAS scores were performed. Results: Among the total number of tinnitus patients, there were 18 patients (16.8%) over mild somatization symptoms. Significant correlation between somatization scores and THI scores was observed, especially in the moderate or severe tinnitus group. The results of relationship between somatization scores and 4 items of VAS scores, loudness and effect on life of tinnitus were significantly related to the somatization scores. Conclusions: We found the positive correlation between subjective tinnitus and somatization symptoms. Subjective tinnitus may be a somatization symptom and it seems necessary to consider somatization disorder in management of tinnitus patients. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2013;24:44–49)