Persistent presentation of medically unexplained symptoms in general practice.

Peter F M Verhaak; Susan A Meijer; Adriaan P Visser; Gerrit Wolters

doi:10.1093/fampra/cml016

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Persistent presentation of medically unexplained symptoms in general practice.

Peter F M Verhaak·Susan A Meijer·Adriaan P Visser·Gerrit Wolters

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of persistent presentation of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in general practice. To assess socio-demographic characteristics, health status and use of health services of patients who frequently present MUPS, compared with reference groups. DESIGN: One-year, nationwide, representative survey of morbidity in general practice in The Netherlands, including 400,000 enlisted patients in 104 general practices. RESULTS: Of all patients (age: 18 years and older), 2.45% who visited their GP at least once a year, presented at least 4 times in 1 year with symptoms which are commonly considered medically unexplained without getting a medical diagnosis during that period, that might explain the symptoms. These patients are significantly older, more often female, less educated, more frequently unemployed and more frequently from a non-Western origin than 'average' patients or patients with a medical diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Although 25-50% of all reasons for visit to a GP concern symptoms that are not medically explained, the frequent presentation of such symptoms is much more rare. Frequent attendance because of MUPS is most common among elderly women with a lower socio-economic status.

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Adolescent Adult Aged Family Practice Female Health Services Health Status Humans Logistic Models Male Middle Aged Netherlands Prevalence Psychophysiologic Disorders Socioeconomic Factors Comparative Study Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Peter F M Verhaak, Susan A Meijer, Adriaan P Visser, Gerrit Wolters. 2006-04-21. Persistent presentation of medically unexplained symptoms in general practice.. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra%2Fcml016

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