Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) among adults in Canada: Comorbidity, health care use and employment

Based on data from the 2014 Canadian Community Health Survey and the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health, this study provides estimates of the prevalence of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in the household population aged 25 or older. MUPS are examined in relation to sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental comorbidity, health care use and unmet needs, labour force participation and productivity. In 2014, 5.5% of Canadian adults-an estimated 1.3 million - reported having chronic fatigue syndrome (1.6%), fibromyalgia (2.0%) and/or multiple chemical sensitivity (2.7%). Half (51%) of people with MUPS reported other chronic physical conditions, compared with 8% of those without MUPS. Similarly, mental comorbidities were more prevalent among those with MUPS. Higher health care use was observed among people with MUPS, but 25% of them reported unmet health care needs, compared with 11% of those without MUPS. People with MUPS were more likely than those without MUPS to be permanently unable to work or to not have a job; fewer than half (45%) were employed. Among those who were employed, 18% had missed work because of a chronic condition, compared with 5% of workers without MUPS.