The overlooked burden of persistent physical symptoms: a call for action in European healthcare
Year: 2024
Type: review
Abstract: Regardless of their cause, persistent physical symptoms are distressing somatic complaints that occur on most days for at least several months. They are common in patients with somatic diseases, functional somatic disorders, mental disorders, and undiagnosed medical conditions and are often associated with significant impairment and medical costs. Despite their prevalence and impact, persistent physical symptoms are often overlooked in medical care. This Personal View stresses the importance of recognising persistent physical symptoms as a European health issue. It advocates improvements in research, clinical management, public health, and policy. Efforts should prioritise integrating models of symptom perception and biopsychosocial perspectives into medical care and education, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing standardised guidelines to enhance patient care, reduce stigma, and improve clinical outcomes. Increased research funding can accelerate progress in understanding and effectively managing persistent physical symptoms. Addressing these priorities will support patients and healthcare professionals, ensuring adequate care and a higher quality of life for affected individuals.
Authors: Anne Toussaint, Angelika Weigel, Bernd Löwe, Jordi Blanch, Katleen Bogaerts, Birgitte Boye, Chris Burton, Fiammetta Cosci, Petra Engelmann, Per Fink, Susanne Fischer, Stephan Frisch, Lisbeth Frostholm, Lise Kirstine Gormsen, Monica Greco, Karen Hansen Kallesoe, Tim olde Hartman, Tanja Hechler, Severin Hennemann, Peter Henningsen, Katharina Hüfner, Paul Hüsing, Joram Ronel, Roland von Känel, Christopher A. Kenedi, Ferenc Köteles, Sebastian Kohlmann, Willem J. Kop, Nadine Lehnen, James Levenson, Bernd Löwe, Kerstin Maehder, Alexandra Martin, Christoph Pieh, Victor Pitron, Charlotte Ulrikka Rask, Winfried Rief, Marianne Rosendal, Judith Rosmalen, Joanna Rymaszewska, Markku Sainio, Stefan Salzmann, Rainer Schaefert, Sanna Selinheimo, Meike Shedden-Mora, Jon Stone, Lineke Tak, Anne Toussaint, Natalie Uhlenbusch, Omer Van den Bergh, Lars de Vroege, Angelika Weigel, Ursula Werneke, Michael Witthöft
Institution: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,000
Funders: Aarhus Universitet, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Virginia Commonwealth University, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Universitätsspital Basel, National Institute for Health and Care Research, European Commission, University of Bath, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Radboud Universiteit, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Technische Universität München, Universitat de Barcelona, Universität Zürich, Universiteit van Tilburg, Universitätsspital Zürich, Universiteit Hasselt, Eötvös Loránd Tudományegyetem, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
OpenAlex ID: W4404721348