Persistent (unexplained) physical symptoms: evidence-based highlights

Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 2014 Oct;75(10):564-7. doi: 10.12968/hmed.2014.75.10.564.

Abstract

Medically unexplained symptoms account for up to 50% of specialist referrals in the NHS, but because they tend to be seen in specialist clinics, health-care staff may not be aware of the variety of presentations and commonalties between different medically unexplained symptoms. This article gives an overview of this field.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Management*
  • Evidence-Based Practice
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / etiology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / physiopathology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / psychology
  • Psychophysiologic Disorders* / therapy
  • Quality of Life*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Symptom Assessment