den Braber, Pepijn (2020) Kinderen verwezen naar de kinderarts in verband met functionele klachten: een kwantitatieve en kwalitatieve analyse. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Title: Referral to a pediatrician with functional complaints: a quantitative and qualitative analysis Introduction: Functional complaints, or medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS), are common in children and there is the impression that their prevalence is increasing. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of referrals to pediatricians for MUPS. Method: Based on DBC registrations, newly referred children with SOLK between 2013 and 2018 were searched for. SOLK was defined as functional abdominal pain, fatigue, chronic musculoskeletal pain and chronic headache. In the qualitative part of this study, prognosis and influence on the quality of life were examined by means of a questionnaire and a focus group interview. Results: The share of new referrals in the past 6 years related to SOLK was 6%, with no clear upward trend. Annually leading to about 2.5 million euros in costs in our hospital. We found a clear seasonal variation with peaks in prevalence around March (+31%) and November (+21%) and a decrease (-48%) in the summer months. On average, patients see their quality of life on a scale of 0-10 increase by about 1.7 points (5.16.8) at least 1 year after their first visit to the clinic. A focus group interview showed that it is very important for patients that their complaints are recognized, to give proper explanation about these complaints and to receive proper supervision. Conclusion: The proportion of functional complaints within the referrals to the pediatrician is considerable, but does not seem to have increased in the past 6 years. The seasonal variation with peaks in March and November is striking. In most children, the quality of life improves over time, and recognition of the seriousness of the symptoms is very important for patients.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Bekhof, Dr. J. |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2023 11:42 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Sep 2023 11:42 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3662 |
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