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Introduction: Studies indicate that war-affected and displaced groups, compared to local non-refugee populations, suffer variable but generally higher rates of stress-related somatic symptoms. The relation between traumatic events and somatization is poorly explored. Objectives: To assess the impact of trauma on somatic symptoms in forced migrants recently hosted in Italy. Methods: First generation asylum seekers/refugees of age over 18 referred to Umberto I Hospital, Rome, for a routine infectivologic screening were consecutively enrolled. The following tools were administered: Somatic Symptom Scale 8 (SSS-8), Life Events Check List (LEC-5), and Stress-related Vulnerability Scale (SVS). Results: Eighty-five subjects participated to the study (males=80 (94.1%); mean age= 28.3 SD=7.4). Fifty-eight (68%) participants reported at least one clinically significant somatic symptom and all reported at least one severe traumatic event in the LEC-5. Pearson Correlation Coefficients of SSS-8 total score with respect to LEC-5 and SVS lack of Social Support Subscale score were r=0,327 (p=0.003), r=0.529 (p=0.0001). A stepwise linear regression confirmed that LEC-5 total score (Beta standardized correlation coefficient = 0.151; p = 0.027) and SVS lack of Social Support Subscale (Beta standardized correlation coefficient = -0.309; p = 0.010) were significant predictors of SSS-8 total score. Conclusions: High levels of somatization were associated to the number of lifetime traumatic events and to perceived lack of social support in forced migrants. It is important to correctly recognize somatic symptoms in traumatized forced migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]