TY - JOUR
T1 - A step towards a new delimitation of functional somatic syndromes
T2 - A latent class analysis of symptoms in a population-based cohort study
AU - Eliasen, Marie
AU - Schröder, Andreas
AU - Fink, Per
AU - Kreiner, Svend
AU - Dantoft, Thomas Meinertz
AU - Poulsen, Chalotte Heinsvig
AU - Petersen, Marie Weinreich
AU - Eplov, Lene Falgaard
AU - Skovbjerg, Sine
AU - Jørgensen, Torben
N1 - Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
PY - 2018/5/1
Y1 - 2018/5/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: The current delimitation of functional somatic syndromes (FSS) is inconsistent. We aimed to investigate somatic symptom profiles in the general adult population to contribute to a new, data-driven delimitation of FSS.METHODS: Information on 31 self-reported somatic symptoms used in the delimitation of various FSS and bodily distress syndrome (BDS) was obtained from the DanFunD study-a population-based cohort study on 9656 adults (participation 33.6%) from Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. Latent class analysis was used to identify symptom profiles. The profiles were described by their relation with sex, age, chronic disease, self-perceived health, symptom impact, self-reported FSS, and BDS case-status.RESULTS: Eight symptom profiles were identified. The largest profile had no symptoms (49% of the population). Three profiles were characterized by a few, specific symptoms: muscle and joint pain (17%), gastrointestinal symptoms (6%), and general symptoms (13%). Three profiles had multiple symptoms in specific combinations: musculoskeletal and general symptoms (7%); fatigue, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms (3%); and cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal and general symptoms (3%). Lastly, one profile (2%) had high probability of all symptoms. The last four profiles (15%) were strongly associated with BDS case-status, poor self-perceived health and high impact of symptoms. Analyses excluding persons with multi-symptomatic chronic disease showed similar results.CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight symptom profiles characterized by specific combinations of symptoms. Four of these had multiple symptoms from several bodily systems showing large overlap with BDS, possibly indicating subtypes of FSS. The profiles contribute to a new delimitation of FSS by illustrating the importance of specific symptom combinations.
AB - OBJECTIVES: The current delimitation of functional somatic syndromes (FSS) is inconsistent. We aimed to investigate somatic symptom profiles in the general adult population to contribute to a new, data-driven delimitation of FSS.METHODS: Information on 31 self-reported somatic symptoms used in the delimitation of various FSS and bodily distress syndrome (BDS) was obtained from the DanFunD study-a population-based cohort study on 9656 adults (participation 33.6%) from Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. Latent class analysis was used to identify symptom profiles. The profiles were described by their relation with sex, age, chronic disease, self-perceived health, symptom impact, self-reported FSS, and BDS case-status.RESULTS: Eight symptom profiles were identified. The largest profile had no symptoms (49% of the population). Three profiles were characterized by a few, specific symptoms: muscle and joint pain (17%), gastrointestinal symptoms (6%), and general symptoms (13%). Three profiles had multiple symptoms in specific combinations: musculoskeletal and general symptoms (7%); fatigue, musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms (3%); and cardiopulmonary, gastrointestinal and general symptoms (3%). Lastly, one profile (2%) had high probability of all symptoms. The last four profiles (15%) were strongly associated with BDS case-status, poor self-perceived health and high impact of symptoms. Analyses excluding persons with multi-symptomatic chronic disease showed similar results.CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight symptom profiles characterized by specific combinations of symptoms. Four of these had multiple symptoms from several bodily systems showing large overlap with BDS, possibly indicating subtypes of FSS. The profiles contribute to a new delimitation of FSS by illustrating the importance of specific symptom combinations.
KW - Bodily distress syndrome
KW - Functional disorders
KW - Functional somatic syndromes
KW - General population
KW - Latent class analysis
KW - Somatic symptoms
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85044134291&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.03.002
DO - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.03.002
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 29602319
SN - 0022-3999
VL - 108
SP - 102
EP - 117
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
ER -