Somatoform Disorders and Medically Unexplained Symptoms in Primary Care

Abstract

The statistical heterogeneity of the included studies is very high. Somatoform disorders and medically unexplained symptoms are more common than generally assumed. The found prevalences highlight the importance of these conditions in primary care.

The challenge of diagnosing non-specific, functional, and somatoform disorders: A systematic review of barriers to diagnosis in primary care

“…Up to two-thirds of symptoms in primary care are 'medically unexplained' [2] and, depending on the criteria used, 16-34% of patients have a diagnosable somatoform disorder [2][3][4][5]. Despite the relatively high prevalence, patients with non-specific, functional or somatoform symptoms often remain unrecognised and somatoform disorders in the strict sense have been severely underdiagnosed [6][7][8].…”

A taxonomy of explanations in a general practitioner clinic for patients with persistent “medically unexplained” physical symptoms

“…Physical symptoms which cannot be explained by organic disease are present in 40% of patients consulting GPs [1], are the reason for consultation in 20% [2][3][4] and account for up to 65% of referrals to specialists [5]. These so-called medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) may occur singly (e.g.…”

Survivorship of severe medically unexplained symptoms in palliative care

“…These symptoms have many classifications1 2 (table 1), variously referred to as somatoform, psychosomatic, psychogenic, functional and medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are readily found across all clinical populations 3. Up to 49% of patients attending primary care present with at least one MUS,4 many of whom become frequent attenders with consequent referral to secondary5 and increasingly tertiary care 6…”