Persistent symptoms in primary care - characteristics and interventions

Background: According to the bodily distress syndrome criteria about 17% of adults in general practice have four or more symptoms across different organ systems and at least half of these will still fulfil the criteria after two years. The high proportion of patients with persistent symptoms in primary care calls for interventions. However, the often used biomedical approach is only effective in few cases and may, unintentionally, contribute to perpetuation or even worsening of symptoms.
In this symposium we call attention to the many patients in primary care who continue to have disabling symptoms despite investigations and biomedical treatments. We wish to provide updated evidence on patient characteristics and diagnostic approach. Furthermore, we will inform about interventions targeting primary care patients.
Methods: The studies presented draw on 1) epidemiological research based on questionnaires and register data, 2) a randomized controlled trial and 3) participatory design of a new eHealth intervention.
The symposium consists of the following presentations:
Bodily distress syndrome in the general population: prevalence, characteristics, medication and healthcare utilization/ v. Dorte Ejg Jarbøl
Long-term follow-up of strategies for diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome – healthcare utilization and safety/ v. Peter Fentz Haastrup
eHealth and GP assisted programme for persistent symptoms – a new primary care project/ v. Marianne Rosendal Development and testing of online advice and information to support patients’ management of low back pain in primary care/ v. Allan Riis
Conclusion: Persistent symptoms can be detected early in primary care and future interventions have the potential to improve our approach and the