Bob
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I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum to post this in, but the timing seems highly coincidental to me...
The Most Popular Terms for Medically Unexplained Symptoms: The Views of CFS Patients
Federica Picariello, Sheila Ali, Rona Moss-Morris, Trudie Chalder
February 28, 2015
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.02.013
The Most Popular Terms for Medically Unexplained Symptoms: The Views of CFS Patients
Federica Picariello, Sheila Ali, Rona Moss-Morris, Trudie Chalder
February 28, 2015
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.02.013
Highlights
- We assess the top preferences of CFS patients for an alternative umbrella term to MUS.
- The most popular choices across the rankings were: Persistent Physical Symptoms and Complex Physical Symptoms.
- According to CFS patients, a term has to reflect the physical experience of MUS.
- Nomenclature is vital to appropriately reflect conditions and to avoid misshaping opinions of HCPs and the public
Abstract
Objective
Medically unexplained symptoms are common, highly distressing and are often associated with profound disability. One of the controversies surrounding this area relates to which umbrella term should be used to group such symptoms. The purpose of this research was to establish the preferences of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) for an umbrella term for medically unexplained symptoms.
Methods
A cross-sectional mixed methods survey design was used. Participants were asked to indicate their three most preferred terms out of a list of commonly used terms and to provide any extra comments. Frequency analysis was employed to look at the preferences of terms for each rank. Comments were analysed using principles of inductive thematic analysis.
Results
Eighty-seven patients with CFS completed a self-report survey. The term “Persistent Physical Symptoms” was the most popular first choice term chosen by 20.7% of patients. Terms containing the word “physical” were consistently more likely to be chosen. Three main themes emerged from the thematic analysis: 1) Physical nature of the illness, 2) Stigma, and 3) Evaluation of the terms, giving a more in-depth understanding of the findings.
Conclusion
According to CFS patients, an umbrella term has to reflect the physical experience of MUS.
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