Factors leading to the reporting of 'functional' somatic symptoms by general practice attenders

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of 'functional' somatic symptoms in general practice and the factors associated with reporting these symptoms. During a one month period, all attenders aged 16 years and over at a general practice near Leeds were screened for functional somatic symptoms using the Bradford somatic inventory. The general practitioner recorded the patients' personal data and diagnostic assessment. Data were analysed from 670 Europid patients who completed the Bradford somatic inventory at their first attendance during the month. Higher mean numbers of functional somatic symptoms were found in patients with psychiatric and functional syndromes than in patients with organic illness or in well patients. The symptom score on the Bradford somatic inventory was significantly related to five factors: current anxious mood, current depressed mood, sex, chronic physical illness in a parent and a history of depressive illness. Using multiple linear regression analysis, all five factors were found to be independent predictors of symptom scores on the Bradford somatic inventory. This study highlights the multifactorial aetiology of functional somatic symptoms reported by general practice attenders.