Prevalence of somatic symptom disorder in Syrian patients with breast cancer: A cross-sectional study

Breast cancer is a common cancer among women in Syria, characterized by lower incidence rates compared to those in Western countries but higher mortality. This study aims to determine the prevalence of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) among breast cancer patients in Syria and to identify disparities in demographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics between breast cancer patients with and without SSD. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from June to December 2024, involving 65 women with breast cancer patients randomly selected from the Al-Baath University Cancer Hospital. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, including validated tools for assessing SSD, anxiety, and fear of cancer recurrence. Statistical analyses such as Chi-square tests and logistic regression were performed using SPSS. Among the 65 participants, 18 (27.69%) were diagnosed with SSD. The patients with SSD reported significant levels of impairment (p<0.001) and longer symptom durations. Only 5.55% of the SSD patients reported no impairment, compared to 48.93% in the non-SSD group. Higher scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire-15, General Anxiety Disorder-7, and Fear of Cancer Recurrence-4 indicated increased psychological distress among SSD patients (all p<0.001). The results highlight a significant prevalence of SSD among breast cancer patients in Syria, emphasizing the need for routine psychological screenings and a multidisciplinary approach to care.