Medically unexplained physical symptoms

Short description: Symptoms with no known or agreed upon cause

Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS or MUS) are symptoms for which a treating physician or other healthcare providers have found no medical cause, or whose cause remains contested.[1] In its strictest sense, the term simply means that the cause for the symptoms is unknown or disputed—there is no scientific consensus. Not all medically unexplained symptoms are influenced by identifiable psychological factors.[2] However, in practice, most physicians and authors who use the term consider that the symptoms most likely arise from psychological causes. Typically, the possibility that MUPS are caused by prescription drugs or other drugs is ignored.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Prevalence
* 2 Symptoms
* 3 Definition and terminology
* 3.1 Related terms
* 4 Risk factors
* 5 Doctor-patient relations
* 6 Evaluation
* 7 Treatment
* 7.1 Theories
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## Prevalence

It is estimated that between 15% and 30% of all primary care consultations are for medically unexplained symptoms.[4] About 1 in 4 people who see a UK GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained.[5]

Women are significantly more likely than men to be diagnosed with Medically Unexplained Symptoms.[6][7]

## Symptoms

A large Canadian community survey revealed that the most common medically unexplained symptoms are musculoskeletal pain, ear, nose, and throat symptoms, abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, and dizziness.[4] Other medically unexplained symptoms are headaches, feeling faint, heart palpitations, fits (seizures), breathlessness, weakness and paralysis, and numbness and tingling.[5]

## Definition and terminology

The term MUPS can be used to refer to syndromes whose etiology remains unclear or contested, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity and Gulf War illness.[8] Pathogenesis may be suspected.[5]

The term medically unexplained symptoms is in some cases treated as synonymous to older terms such as psychosomatic symptoms, conversion disorders, somatic symptoms, somatisations or somatoform disorders; as well as contemporary terms such as functional disorders, bodily distress, and persistent physical symptoms.[9] The plethora of terms reflects imprecision and uncertainty in their definition, controversy, and care taken to avoid stigmatising affected people.[10]

### Related terms

Functional somatic syndrome refers to disturbances in bodily functioning where aetiology is unknown, including that psychogenesis is not assumed.[11]

"Persistent physical symptoms"[12] includes situations where persistent physical symptoms are caused by a known illness, such as arthritis.

In somatic symptom disorder chronic physical symptoms, which may or may not be linked to a known illness, coincide with excessive and maladaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connected to those symptoms.

## Risk factors

Risk factors for medically unexplained symptoms are complex and include both psychological and organic features, and such symptoms are often accompanied by other somatic symptoms attributable to organic disease.[13] As such it is recognised that the boundary defining symptoms as medically unexplained is blurred.[13]

Childhood adversity and/or abuse, and the death or serious illness of a close family member are significant risk factors.[7]

Many patients presenting with medically unexplained symptoms also meet the diagnostic criteria for anxiety and/or depression.[14] The likelihood of meeting such criteria increases with the number of unexplained symptoms reported.[15][16] However, anxiety and depression are also very common in individuals with medically explained illnesses, and again, the likelihood of a person receiving one of these diagnoses increases with the number of symptoms reported.[17][18]

Physical symptoms have been associated with adverse psychosocial and functional outcome across different cultures, irrespective of etiology (either explained or unexplained).[19]

## Doctor-patient relations

The lack of known etiology in MUPS cases can lead to conflict between patient and health-care provider over the diagnosis and treatment of MUPS. Most physicians will consider that MUPS most probably have a psychological cause (even if the patient displays no evidence of psychological problems). Many patients, on the other hand, reject the implication that their problems are "all in their head", and feel their symptoms have a physical cause. Diagnosis of MUPS is seldom a satisfactory situation for the patient, and can lead to an adversarial doctor-patient relationship.[20] The situation may lead a patient to question the doctor's competence.[20]

A 2008 review in the British Medical Journal stated that a doctor must be careful not to tell a patient that nothing is wrong, "as clearly this is not the case". The symptoms that brought the patient to the doctor are real, even when the cause is not known. The doctor should try to explain the symptoms, avoid blaming the patient for them, and work with the patient to develop a symptom management plan.[21]

## Evaluation

When a cause for MUPS is found, the symptom(s) are no longer medically unexplained. Some cases of ulcers and dyspepsia were considered MUPS until bacterial infections were found to be their cause.[22] Similarly, in illnesses where long diagnostic delays are common (e.g., certain types of autoimmune disease and other rare illnesses), the patients' symptoms are classifiable as MUPS right up until the point where a formal diagnosis is made (which, in some instances, can take upwards of five years). Even when a person has received a confirmed medical disease diagnosis, they may nonetheless be considered to have MUPS, if they present with symptoms that are either not fully explained by their disease diagnosis, or are considered by the physician to be more severe than would be predicted by their disease. For example, severe fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been interpreted as MUPS because the fatigue cannot be clearly linked to any of the known biological markers for SLE.[23]

## Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy

The most effective current treatment for some medically unexplained symptoms is a combination of therapeutic approaches tailored to the individual patient. Most MUS patients are in need of psychotherapy, relaxation therapy and physiotherapy under medical supervision. A combined therapeutic approach which is at least twice as effective as other therapeutic modalities published to date is described in Steele RE et al. "A novel and effective treatment modality for medically unexplained symptoms".[24] The next best documented approach is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials.[25][26][27] Antidepressants may also help, but the evidence is "not yet conclusive."[25] The effectiveness of CBT and antidepressants has not been studied for all medically unexplained symptoms, however. Evidence for a positive effect of CBT has been found in trials for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, unexplained headaches, unexplained back pain, tinnitus, and non-cardiac chest pain.[28] Overall, CBT has been shown to be effective in reducing psychological distress and improving medical status in MUPS patients. However the quality of many CBT studies remains low, and many studies lack an attention-placebo control.[29] As of 2006, CBT had not been tested for menopausal syndrome, chronic facial pain, interstitial cystitis, or chronic pelvic pain.[28]

Some high quality studies have been conducted examining the effectiveness of antidepressants in MUPS. Those antidepressants that have been investigated include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).[30] For example, TCAs have effects on IBS, fibromyalgia, back pain, headaches, and possibly tinnitus, and single studies show a possible effect in chronic facial pain, non-cardiac chest pain, and interstitial cystitis. SSRIs are usually not effective or have only a weak effect. One exception is menopausal syndrome, where SSRIs are "possibly effective" as well as a third class of antidepressants, the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).[28]

A 2010 Cochrane review examined the use of Consultation Letters for MUPS with psychiatrist and found some evidence of their effectiveness in terms of medical cost and patient physical functioning.[31] The studies reviewed were small and of moderate quality and completed primarily in the United States so generalizing results to other settings should be done with caution.[31]

### Theories

There is no consensus as to what causes MUPS. However, a number of theories have been put forward. Many of these share the common assumption that MUPS are somehow caused by psychological distress or disturbance. One classical theory is that MUPS arise as a reaction to childhood trauma in vulnerable individuals.[32][33] More contemporary theories place less emphasis on trauma and suggest that an individual's personality and psychological characteristics play a central role. For example, it has been suggested that people who have anxiety or depression or who focus excessively on their body might be particularly prone to these symptoms.[34]

For certain MUPSs that occur within recognized syndromes (e.g. chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia), there is wide disagreement across disciplines as to the causes of the symptoms. Research in the domains of psychology and psychiatry frequently emphasizes psychological causal factors,[35][36][37] whereas research in the biomedical sciences – relating to immunology and rheumatology, for example – commonly emphasizes biological factors.[38][39][40][41]

## See also

* Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome
* Cryptogenic disease
* Culture-bound syndrome
* Diagnosis of exclusion
* Functional disorder
* Idiopathy
* Idiosyncratic drug reaction
* Somatoform disorders

## References

1. ↑ "Medically unexplained symptoms - NHS Choices". http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medically-unexplained-symptoms/Pages/Somatisation.aspx.
2. ↑ Brown, RJ. 2004. Psychological Mechanisms of Medically Unexplained Symptoms: An Integrative Conceptual Model. Psychological Bulletin 2004 Sep;130(5):793-812
3. ↑ "Re: Reframing persistent unexplained physical symptoms?". The BMJ: j268. 13 April 2018. https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.j268/rr-1.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kirmayer, LJ; Groleau, D; Looper, KJ; Dao, MD (October 2004). "Explaining medically unexplained symptoms.". Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 49 (10): 663–72. doi:10.1177/070674370404901003. PMID 15560312.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Medically unexplained symptoms". October 19, 2017. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medically-unexplained-symptoms/.
6. ↑ Kozlowska, K. 2013. Stress, Distress, and Bodytalk: Co-constructing Formulations with Patients Who Present with Somatic Symptoms. Harvard Review of Psychiatry. Volume 21 • Number 6 • November/December 2013
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 JCPFMH. (2017). Guidance for Commissioners of Services for People with Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Joint Commissioning Panel for Mental Health. Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Psychiatrists
8. ↑ "Evaluation and management of medically unexplained physical symptoms". Neurologist 10 (1): 18–30. Jan 2004. doi:10.1097/01.nrl.0000106921.76055.24. PMID 14720312.
9. ↑ "The conceptual field of medically unexplained symptoms and persistent somatic symptoms". CNS Spectrums 28 (5): 526–527. November 2022. doi:10.1017/S1092852922001031. PMID 36321347.
10. ↑ IAPT. (2014). Medically Unexplained Symptoms / Functional Symptoms: Positive Practice Guide. IAPT Medically Unexplained Symptoms Evaluation Task and Finish Group (2012-13)
11. ↑ Mayou, Richard; Farmer, Andrew (August 3, 2002). "Functional somatic symptoms and syndromes". BMJ 325 (7358): 265–268. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7358.265. PMID 12153926. PMC 1123778. https://www.bmj.com/content/325/7358/265.full.
12. ↑ Löwe, Bernd; Toussaint, Anne; Rosmalen, Judith G. M.; Huang, Wei-Lieh; Burton, Christopher; Weigel, Angelika; Levenson, James L.; Henningsen, Peter (June 15, 2024). "Persistent physical symptoms: definition, genesis, and management". The Lancet 403 (10444): 2649–2662. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00623-8. PMID 38879263. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00623-8/fulltext.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Creed, F. (2016). Exploding myths about medically unexplained symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, June 2016, volume 85 pp91-93
14. ↑ Li, C. T.; Chou, Y. H.; Yang, K. C.; Yang, C. H.; Lee, Y. C.; Su, T. P. (2009). "Medically Unexplained Symptoms and Somatoform Disorders: Diagnostic Challenges to Psychiatrists". Journal of the Chinese Medical Association 72 (5): 251–256. doi:10.1016/S1726-4901(09)70065-6. PMID 19467948.
15. ↑ Kroenke, K. (2003). "Patients presenting with somatic complaints: epidemiology, psychiatric comorbidity and management". International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research 12 (1): 34–43. doi:10.1002/mpr.140. ISSN 1049-8931. PMID 12830308.
16. ↑ Kroenke, K.; Rosmalen, G. (Jul 2006). "Symptoms, syndromes, and the value of psychiatric diagnostics in patients who have functional somatic disorders". The Medical Clinics of North America 90 (4): 603–626. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2006.04.003. ISSN 0025-7125. PMID 16843765.
17. ↑ Kisely, S; Goldberg, D; Simon, G (September 1997). "A comparison between somatic symptoms with and without clear organic cause: results of an international study.". Psychological Medicine 27 (5): 1011–9. doi:10.1017/s0033291797005485. PMID 9300507.
18. ↑ Kroenke, K; Spitzer, RL; Williams, JB; Linzer, M; Hahn, SR; deGruy FV, 3rd; Brody, D (September 1994). "Physical symptoms in primary care. Predictors of psychiatric disorders and functional impairment.". Archives of Family Medicine 3 (9): 774–9. doi:10.1001/archfami.3.9.774. PMID 7987511.
19. ↑ "An international study comparing the effect of medically explained and unexplained somatic symptoms on psychosocial outcome.". J Psychosom Res 60 (2): 125–30. February 2006. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.06.064. PMID 16439264.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Stoddard, Frederick J.; Pandya, Anand; Katz, Craig L. (2012-09-24). Disaster Psychiatry: Readiness, Evaluation, and Treatment. American Psychiatric Pub. ISBN 978-0-87318-218-8. https://books.google.com/books?id=HZmvBAAAQBAJ&q=mups+doctor+patient+relationship&pg=PA163.
21. ↑ Hatcher, S.; Arroll, B. (May 2008). "Assessment and management of medically unexplained symptoms". BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) 336 (7653): 1124–1128. doi:10.1136/bmj.39554.592014.BE. PMID 18483055.
22. ↑ Jones, E. W.; Wessely, S. (Jan 2005). "War Syndromes: The Impact of Culture on Medically Unexplained Symptoms". Medical History 49 (1): 55–78. doi:10.1017/S0025727300008280. ISSN 0025-7273. PMID 15730130.
23. ↑ Omdal, R; Waterloo, K; Koldingsnes, W; Husby, G; Mellgren, SI (February 2003). "Fatigue in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: the psychosocial aspects.". The Journal of Rheumatology 30 (2): 283–7. PMID 12563681.
24. ↑ Steele RE, de Leeuw E, Carpenter D. "A novel and effective treatment modality for medically unexplained symptoms" J Pain Management 2009 1(4):201-212.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Kroenke K (2007). "Efficacy of treatment for somatoform disorders: a review of randomized controlled trials". Psychosom Med 69 (9): 881–8. doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e31815b00c4. PMID 18040099.
26. ↑ Woolfolk RL, Allen LA, Tiu JE, "New directions in the treatment of somatization" Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2007 Dec;30(4):621-44
27. ↑ N, van Dessel; M, den Boeft; Jc, van der Wouden; M, Kleinstäuber; Ss, Leone; B, Terluin; Me, Numans; He, van der Horst et al. (2014-11-01). "Non-pharmacological Interventions for Somatoform Disorders and Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS) in Adults" (in en). The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (11). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD011142.pub2. PMID 25362239.
28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 "Antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy for symptom syndromes". CNS Spectr 11 (3): 212–22. March 2006. doi:10.1017/S1092852900014383. PMID 16575378.
29. ↑ Nezu, Arthur M.; Nezu, Christine Maguth; Lombardo, Elizabeth R. (June 2001). "Cognitive-behavior therapy for medically unexplained symptoms: A critical review of the treatment literature". Behavior Therapy 32 (3): 537–583. doi:10.1016/S0005-7894(01)80035-6.
30. ↑ O'Malley, PG; Jackson, JL; Santoro, J; Tomkins, G; Balden, E; Kroenke, K (December 1999). "Antidepressant therapy for unexplained symptoms and symptom syndromes.". The Journal of Family Practice 48 (12): 980–90. PMID 10628579.
31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Hoedeman, Rob; Blankenstein, Annette H.; van der Feltz-Cornelis, Christina M.; Krol, Boudien; Stewart, Roy; Groothoff, Johan W. (2010-12-08). "Consultation letters for medically unexplained physical symptoms in primary care". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (12). doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006524.pub2. ISSN 1469-493X. PMID 21154369.
32. ↑ van der Kolk BA. (1996). "The complexity of adaptation to trauma: Self-regulation, stimulus discrimination, and characterological development. I". Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society. New York: Guilford Press. pp. 182–213.
33. ↑ Brown, Richard J. (2004). "Psychological Mechanisms of Medically Unexplained Symptoms: An Integrative Conceptual Model." (in en). Psychological Bulletin 130 (5): 793–812. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.5.793. PMID 15367081. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2004-18097-006.html. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
34. ↑ Brown, RJ (September 2004). "Psychological mechanisms of medically unexplained symptoms: an integrative conceptual model.". Psychological Bulletin 130 (5): 793–812. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.130.5.793. PMID 15367081.
35. ↑ Surawy, C; Hackmann, A; Hawton, K; Sharpe, M (June 1995). "Chronic fatigue syndrome: a cognitive approach.". Behaviour Research and Therapy 33 (5): 535–44. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(94)00077-w. PMID 7598674.
36. ↑ Petrie, K; Moss-Morris, R; Weinman, J (January 1995). "The impact of catastrophic beliefs on functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.". Journal of Psychosomatic Research 39 (1): 31–7. doi:10.1016/0022-3999(94)00071-c. PMID 7760301.
37. ↑ Kirmayer, LJ; Robbins, JM; Kapusta, MA (August 1988). "Somatization and depression in fibromyalgia syndrome.". The American Journal of Psychiatry 145 (8): 950–4. doi:10.1176/ajp.145.8.950. PMID 3164984.
38. ↑ Landay, AL; Jessop, C; Lennette, ET; Levy, JA (21 September 1991). "Chronic fatigue syndrome: clinical condition associated with immune activation.". Lancet 338 (8769): 707–12. doi:10.1016/0140-6736(91)91440-6. PMID 1679864.
39. ↑ Klimas, NG; Salvato, FR; Morgan, R; Fletcher, MA (June 1990). "Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome.". Journal of Clinical Microbiology 28 (6): 1403–10. doi:10.1128/JCM.28.6.1403-1410.1990. PMID 2166084.
40. ↑ Lorusso, L; Mikhaylova, SV; Capelli, E; Ferrari, D; Ngonga, GK; Ricevuti, G (February 2009). "Immunological aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome.". Autoimmunity Reviews 8 (4): 287–91. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2008.08.003. PMID 18801465.
41. ↑ Vaerøy, H; Helle, R; Førre, O; Kåss, E; Terenius, L (January 1988). "Elevated CSF levels of substance P and high incidence of Raynaud phenomenon in patients with fibromyalgia: new features for diagnosis.". Pain 32 (1): 21–6. doi:10.1016/0304-3959(88)90019-x. PMID 2448729.

## External links

* Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms DHCC/DOD Pamphlet.
* Medically unexplained physical symptoms R. Mayou, British Medical Journal, 1991 September 7: 534–535.

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