Persistent presentation of medically unexplained symptoms in general practice.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Verhaak
Peter F M
PF
Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, PO Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht. p.verhaak@nivel.nl
Meijer
Susan A
SA
Visser
Adriaan P
AP
Wolters
Gerrit
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors