title: Medically Unexplained Symptoms: an acceptable term?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The term 'Medically Unexplained Symptoms' (MUS) is used by health professionals and researchers to refer to persistent bodily complaints, including pain and discomfort.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explores the views held by a lay sample on the clinical terminology used to describe 'MUS', to ascertain reasons for particular preferences and whether preferences differ between individuals who experience more somatic symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample (n = 844) of healthy adults completed an online survey, which included a questionnaire measuring somatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15)) and a question about their preferences for terminology used to describe MUS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 844 participants, 698 offered their preferences for terminology. The most popular terms were 'Persistent Physical Symptoms' (20%) and 'Functional Symptoms' (17%). 'MUS' (15%), 'Body Distress Disorder' (13%) and 'Complex Physical Symptoms' (5%) were less popular. And 24% indicated no preference, but high PHQ-15 scorers were more likely to express preferences than low scorers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Persistent Physical Symptoms and Functional Symptoms are more acceptable to this sample of healthy adults than the more commonly used term 'MUS'.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Myra S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hunter
keywords: Functional Symptoms; Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Persistent Physical Symptoms; pain; somatoform disorders