SILIK Syndrome: Should It Get a Special Concern in our Diagnostic Systems?

Background: Somatoform disorder is characterized by repeated presentations of physical symptoms, together with persistent requests for medical investigations, in spite of repeated negative findings and reassurances by doctors that the symptoms have no physical basis. Concept of SILIK syndrome has been derived from various patients who presents with a specific set of unspecified somatic symptoms. Aims: To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic profiles of patients presenting with a set of unspecific somatic symptoms i.e SILIK sensation Settings and design: the study was conducted in LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health. Total number of files of patients was 9232, which were analyzed in the period of 1st April/2014 to 31st March/2015. Methods: Patients are generally diagnosed by using ICD 10 criteria. The medical records of total Out Patient Department (OPD) patients attending to our OPD from 1st April/2014 to 31st March/2015 were reviewed and the file records of the patients who were diagnosed to be a case of undifferentiated somatoform disorder are selected. From the selected file records of the patients, who complained of SILIK sensation are taken for the study. Socio demographic data are recorded from the files. Results: Among 9232 patients 21% (total number-1982) suffered from a specific set of unspecified somatic symptoms which was termed as SILIK syndrome. Conclusion: A significant fraction of the patients attend our OPD with SILIK syndrome, who were still placed in inappropriate category of diagnostic system due to lack of proper dignognostic labeling. This study throws its light on these sections of the patients so that this syndrome can make its own stand in our diagnostic system.