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Is Globus Hystericus?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Janet A. Wilson ,
I. J. Deary  and
A. G. D. Maran
Janet A. Wilson*
Affiliation:
University of Edinburgh Department of Otolaryngology
I. J. Deary
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology
A. G. D. Maran
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology
*
∗Level 4, Phase I, The Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
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Abstract

Forty-six patients, 9 male, 37 female, presenting to an ear, nose and throat department with a principal complaint of globus sensation were investigated by radiology, manometry, endoscopy and prolonged ambulatory pH monitoring to exclude a physical basis for their symptoms. Patients also underwent assessment by the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). The only organic abnormalities detected were an abnormal degree of oesophageal acid exposure (seven patients) and oesophageal spasm (one patient). Female patients were neurotic introverts on EPI testing; males were stable ambiverts. High GHQ scores were present in 13 females (35%) and one male and there was a significant correlation between N scores (in the EPI) and GHQ scores. We propose that globus is a useful, single-symptom model for the study of conversion disorders.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 153 , Issue 3 , September 1988 , pp. 335 - 339
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1988 

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