Physically unexplained complaints such as those arising in irritable bowel syndrome (PDS), fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), for example, are a major source of sick leave. They also pose a challenge within medicine. Much remains unclear about the onset and maintenance of physically unexplained symptoms. A better understanding of the physiological, psychological and environmental factors involved can help treat these complaints better. In doing so, we reduce personal suffering and decrease absenteeism and the associated high social costs. Researching this question should lead to a better understanding of the causes of these complaints, and to improving patient care.
Connecting character
The majority of patients who report to a GP have complaints for which no clear somatic cause can be identified. Many complaints go away by themselves. However, some remain, resulting in high medical consumption and also study and work absenteeism. People often confine themselves to continuing to look for a somatic cause. The underlying problem is the Descartian distinction still felt by many to be between body and mind, while it has already become clear that poorly understood complaints arise from a complex of physical, behavioural and environmental factors. The multidisciplinary quest for the causes and for better treatment involves basic genetic, molecular and neurobiological research, physiological, psychological and behavioural research. This research may also shed more light on the currently poorly understood link between physical complaints such as pain and fatigue, and chronic diseases. The questions also have common ground with the organisation of care and the attitude of doctors towards poorly understood complaints, as well as with legal questions such as the legitimacy of complaints - for example, in connection with absenteeism from work or benefits - when there is no identifiable medical cause. In addition, societal pressure to eliminate illness as soon as possible raises sociological questions. This question ties in with the government policy areas 'Work, care and self-reliance' and 'Anticipating a changing demand for care in a transparent environment: Providing different care'.
