title: Functional somatic syndromes: one or many?
abstract: We review the concept and importance of functional somatic symptoms and syndromes such as irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. On the basis of a literature review, we conclude that a substantial overlap exists between the individual syndromes and that the similarities between them outweigh the differences. Similarities are apparent in case definition, reported symptoms, and in non-symptom association such as patients' sex, outlook, and response to treatment. We conclude that the existing definitions of these syndromes in terms of specific symptoms is of limited value; instead we believe a dimensional classification is likely to be more productive.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Medicine, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wessely
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nimnuan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharpe
mesh_terms: D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011379:Prognosis; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy