The term functional somatic syndrome (FSS) refers to a group of chronic diagnoses with no identifiable organic cause. This term was coined by Hemanth Samkumar.[citation needed] It encompasses disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic widespread pain, temporomandibular disorder, irritable bowel syndrome,[1] lower back pain, tension headache, atypical face pain, non-cardiac chest pain, insomnia, palpitation, dyspepsia and dizziness.[2] General overlap exists between this term, somatization and somatoform. The status of ME/CFS as a functional somatic syndrome is contested.[3] Although the aetiology remains unclear, there are consistent findings of biological abnormalities, and major health bodies such as the NAM, WHO, and NIH, classify it as an organic disease.[4][5][6]
The currently identified class of functional somatic syndromes present as a complex enigma within the medical community; they are highly prevalent, but little is known about the etiology of these conditions. A majority of patients presenting with persistent, widespread somatic complaints have no identifiable organic cause. Biological markers for the FSS diagnoses are non-existent, making the categorization difficult; there is currently much debate regarding whether the FSS diagnoses represent separate conditions or one overarching diagnosis.[1] A large overlap of symptoms exist between the FSS diagnoses, causing high rates of comorbidity between them; the prevalence of comorbid FSS diagnoses ranges from 20% to 70%, while comorbid affective disorders with a fibromyalgia diagnosis ranges from 20% to 80%.[7]
While FSS diagnoses are relatively common within the general community, they are significantly more common among patients presenting with comorbid psychopathology; approximately one third of patients presenting with an FM diagnosis also meet criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[8] Similarly, rates of PTSD are roughly 9.5–43.5% higher in people seeking treatment for a functional somatic syndrome as opposed to the general population.[9] Aside from the physiological symptoms of FSS such as sleep disturbances, chronic pain and general fatigue, certain psychological symptoms are also associated with most FSSs, such as anxiety, depression and panic disorder.
^ abAfari N, Ahumada SM, Wright LJ, Mostoufi S, Golnari G, Reis V, et al. (January 2014). "Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Psychosomatic Medicine. 76 (1): 2–11. doi:10.1097/PSY.0000000000000010. PMC 3894419. PMID 24336429.
^Mayou R, Farmer A (August 2002). "ABC of psychological medicine: Functional somatic symptoms and syndromes". BMJ. 325 (7358): 265–268. doi:10.1136/bmj.325.7358.265. PMC 1123778. PMID 12153926.
^Natelson BH, Lin JS, Lange G, Khan S, Stegner A, Unger ER (2019-11-17). "The effect of comorbid medical and psychiatric diagnoses on chronic fatigue syndrome". Annals of Medicine. 51 (7–8): 371–378. doi:10.1080/07853890.2019.1683601. PMC 7877877. PMID 31642345.
^Thoma M, Froehlich L, Hattesohl DB, Quante S, Jason LA, Scheibenbogen C (December 2023). "Why the Psychosomatic View on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Inconsistent with Current Evidence and Harmful to Patients". Medicina. 60 (1): 83. doi:10.3390/medicina60010083. PMC 10819994. PMID 38256344.
^Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. 2015-03-16. doi:10.17226/19012. ISBN 978-0-309-31689-7.
^"NIH study offers new clues into the causes of post-infectious ME/CFS". National Institutes of Health (NIH). 2024-02-20. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
^Häuser W, Kosseva M, Üceyler N, Klose P, Sommer C (June 2011). "Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review with meta-analysis". Arthritis Care & Research. 63 (6): 808–820. doi:10.1002/acr.20328. PMID 20722042.
^Kleykamp BA, Ferguson MC, McNicol E, Bixho I, Arnold LM, Edwards RR, et al. (February 2021). "The Prevalence of Psychiatric and Chronic Pain Comorbidities in Fibromyalgia: an ACTTION systematic review". Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 51 (1): 166–174. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.10.006. PMID 33383293. S2CID 229948862.
^Åkerblom S, Perrin S, Rivano Fischer M, McCracken LM (April 2017). "The Impact of PTSD on Functioning in Patients Seeking Treatment for Chronic Pain and Validation of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale". International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 24 (2): 249–259. doi:10.1007/s12529-017-9641-8. PMC 5344943. PMID 28194719.
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