The association or otherwise of the functional somatic syndromes.
OBJECTIVE
To review the evidence for overlap in the phenomenology of the Functional Somatic Syndromes (FSS). The FSS show considerable comorbidity, leading some to suggest they may be aspects of the same disorder.


METHODS
We conducted a selective review of peer-reviewed articles on the co-occurrence of FSS symptoms and diagnoses.


RESULTS
Considerable evidence of overlap was found at the level of symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and clinical diagnoses made.


CONCLUSIONS
Phenomenological commonalities support a close relationship between the FSS, although differences remain in other domains. Whether the FSS may best be considered the same or different will depend on the pragmatics of diagnosis.
Kanaan
Richard A A
RA
King's College London, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Lepine
Jean Pierre
JP
Wessely
Simon C
SC
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D018781:Tension-Type Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology