[Functional somatic syndromes].

Functional somatic syndromes are a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the medical community. In this article, we review the definition, epidemiology, classification, etiology, and common determinants of natural history and management of functional somatic syndromes. Functional somatic syndromes are characterized by high morbidity due to various, fluctuating symptoms without objective somatic findings. They are common in medical care and the general population. Predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors influence the natural history of the functional somatic syndromes. Recent proposals to improve their classification tend to discard the traditional separation of symptoms into medical or psychiatric clusters. Moreover, interest in the psychological nature and treatment of functional somatic syndromes has expanded, culminating in the development of tailored psychological interventions for these conditions. The future classification of functional somatic syndromes should reflect the need for a balance between organic and psychological approaches. At present, patients with functional somatic syndromes are often dissatisfied with the care they receive, so training of medical students and doctors is mandatory to improve their skills regarding these conditions.