Dimensions of Tinnitus-Related Distress
Petra Brüeggemann, Wilhelm Mebus, Benjamin Boecking, Nyamaa Amarjargal, Uli Niemann, Myra Spiliopoulou, Christian Dobel, Matthias Rose, Birgit Mazurek
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine which psychosocial aspects predict tinnitus-related distress in a large self-reported dataset of patients with chronic tinnitus, and (2) to identify underlying constructs by means of factor analysis. METHODS: A cohort of 1958 patients of the Charité Tinnitus Center, Berlin completed a large questionnaire battery that comprised sociodemographic data, tinnitus-related distress, general psychological stress experience, emotional symptoms, and somatic complaints. To identify a construct of "tinnitus-related distress", significant predictive items were grouped using factor analysis. RESULTS: = 0.7), depressive fatigue symptoms (concentration, sleep, rumination, joy decreased), the experience of emotional strain, somatization tendencies (pain experience, doctor contacts), and age appeared to play a role. The factor analysis revealed five factors: "stress", "pain experience", "fatigue", "autonomy", and low "educational level". CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus-related distress is predicted by psychological and sociodemographic indices. Relevant factors seem to be depressive exhaustion with somatic expressions such as sleep and concentration problems, somatization, general psychological stress, and reduced activity, in addition to higher age.