A statistical portrait of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) in Canada: Correlates and health effects of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jungwee Park, PhD, Health Statistics, Statistics Canada, 2602 Main Building, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6, Canada, 613-951-4598, jungwee.park@statcan.ca and Sarah Knudson, Department of Sociology, University of Toronto, 725 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON M5S 2J4, Canada.

Objective: This article presents the prevalence of medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) among people aged 12 or older living in households in Canada. Also, this article identifies correlates of MUPS and investigates associations between MUPS and other health conditions.

Methods: Estimates were based on data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey. Cross-tabulations were used to estimate the prevalence of MUPS. Correlates of MUPS and its health effects were examined using multiple logistic regression models.

Results: In 2003, about 1.2 million Canadians aged 12 or older suffered from MUPS. The prevalence of MUPS was significantly higher among women than men (6.4 vs. 2.5) and higher among older age groups. Also, lower income, higher self-perceived stress, smoking, physical inactivity and being overweight/obese increased odds of having MUPS whereas lower education and moderate drinking decreased the odds. Even when other confounding factors were controlled, MUPS still had a significantly negative effect on well-being (for life dissatisfaction, OR=2.88, 95%CI 2.58~3.22; chronic pain OR=4.08, 95%CI 3.38~4.93), health status (self-perceived health, activity limitation) and health care utilization (both doctors and alternative practitioners).

Conclusion: Despite the inexplicability of its symptoms and the contested nature of its diagnosis, MUPS seriously affects the quality of life of a considerable number of Canadians. To address the negative effects of MUPS, it is recommended to develop a model for a diagnosis that is medically sound, consistent with the patient's symptom experiences, and relevant to the patient's illness behaviours.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to