Abstract
The classification of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) could have negative consequences for patients with functional somatic syndromes (FSS). By grouping related but distinct syndromes into one label, the MUS classification fails to inform clinicians about their patients’ health condition. In research settings, the MUS classification makes patient samples more heterogeneous, obstructing research into the underlying pathology of FSS. Long-term studies have shown that MUS are often appraised as medically explained symptoms at follow-up and vice versa, raising doubts about the reliability of this distinction.
Highlights
In their recent paper, Guo et al evaluate commonalities across medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) [1]
Long-term studies have shown that MUS are often appraised as medically explained symptoms at follow-up and vice versa, raising doubts about the reliability of this distinction
According to Guo et al [1], a patient with unexplained fatigue and widespread pain might be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM) or somatic symptom disorder (SSD) depending on the clinical setting
Summary
Guo et al evaluate commonalities across medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) [1]. Abstract: The classification of medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) could have negative consequences for patients with functional somatic syndromes (FSS). By grouping related but distinct syndromes into one label, the MUS classification fails to inform clinicians about their patients’ health condition.
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