• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.120-124
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• 2008

Objectives : The current study aimed at assessing clinical symptoms and personality characteristics on MMPI of patients in Hwa-Byung clinic. Methods : Thirty-one female patients($45.4{\pm}8.4$ years old) who visited to the Hwa-Byung Clinic in Ewha womans Dongdaemoon hospital were recruited. Semistructured interviews and laboratory tests for symptoms were performed for the patients group. Patients group and control group($42.9{\pm}8.0$ years old) completed MMPI. Results : All patients had symptoms of chest tightness or chest pain. 19(61.3%) out of 31 patients had gastrointestinal complaints. There were respiratory symptoms in 13(41.9%) patients. 12 patients(38.7%) suffered from difficulties in their sleep. 12 patients(38.7%) had psychiatric symptoms including anxiety or depressed mood. 8 patients(27.6%) were diagnosed as gastrointestinal diseases by the laboratory test. After controlling age and education, scores of Hs, D, Hy, Pt on MMPI in patients group were significantly higher than control group (p=0.001, p=0.049, p=0.000, and p=0.029, ANCOVA, respectively). Conclusion : In the current study, patients who have visited Hwa-Byung clinic showed various somatic symptoms including chest tightness, gastrointestinal symptoms, complaints in respiratory system and psychiatric symptoms. Based on laboratory tests, considerable proportion of patients was diagnosed as physical illnesses. Additionally, patients in Hwa-Byung clinic have a tendency to be more hypochondriatic, depressed, hysteric and anxious.