Personality traits such as neuroticism and disability predict psychological distress in medically unexplained symptoms: A three‐year experience from a single centre

Background People with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) may have psychological co‐morbidities. Aims Our objectives were to assess the rates and identify correlates of psychological distress in MUS. Methods A total of 171 subjects with MUS seeking treatment at a tertiary care facility were assessed over a 3‐year period. Psychological distress was assessed using the Tamil version of General Health Questionnaire‐12. Apart from socio‐demographic factors, personality, coping, perceived social support and subjective disability were assessed using standard instruments. Results Ninety subjects (52.6%) endorsed symptoms of psychological distress. MUS subjects with psychological distress reported higher levels of neuroticism (p