Healthcare use and costs of functional somatic disorder in Denmark: a population-based cohort study (DanFunD) 2025 Petersen, Fink et al

[Andy]

Abstract​

Introduction Studies investigating the economic burden of functional somatic disorder (FSD) in general populations are lacking. The current study incorporated data from a randomly sampled general population to examine healthcare use and costs in FSD using comprehensive national register data.

Methods The study included 9656 adults from the DanFunD general population cohort study. FSD was identified via self-reported questionnaires and verified by diagnostic interviews conducted by a physician. Data on healthcare were sourced from the comprehensive Danish central registries in the period 10 years before and 4 years after DanFunD inclusion. Healthcare use was investigated with Poisson and Zero-inflated Poisson regression models. Healthcare costs were investigated with linear regression models. Analyses comprised sex- and age-adjusted regression models with non-parametric bootstrap resampling (10 000 repetitions).

Results Individuals with FSD used more healthcare facilities and it costed more compared with individuals without FSD. For example, the incidence rate ratio of having used healthcare services for participants with interview-diagnosed severe FSD was 1.62 (95% CI 1.37 to 1.94) in the 10-year period before DanFunD inclusion, and the annual healthcare costs were 1038 € (339 € to 1846 €) higher. Individuals with FSD also had a higher use of healthcare than individuals with other severe physical disease, but in most cases, no differences were found for costs.

Conclusions FSD carries a significant economic burden on society due to increased healthcare use and costs compared with individuals without FSD, and for most, also for individuals with other severe physical disease.

Open access

 

[Utsikt]

Functional somatic disorder (FSD) is a common condition characterised by persistent patterns of physical symptoms that cannot be better explained by other physical or mental conditions. The unifying diagnostic construct of bodily distress syndrome (BDS) may be used to operationalise the FSD diagnosis.1Additionally, various other names are used for FSD, such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia/chronic widespread pain, chronic fatigue syndrome and other functional somatic syndromes.

The FSD propaganda continues.

Fink has had a stranglehold on Danish healthcare for ages, and claims to have effective treatments, so this data actually indicates that approach has not been able to make a meaningful difference at a population level.

Of course they are unable to recognise that, and claim that the solution is to give them more money and to keep doing the same and expect different results:

These findings emphasise that timely recognition and appropriate management of FSD can both improve patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs. Given that mental disorders are risk factors for developing FSD, prevention and early intervention should be prioritised in healthcare planning.

This includes improving education and training for health professionals to facilitate earlier diagnosis, enhance detection strategies and prevent progression or chronification of symptoms.

Equally important is fostering coordinated care across primary, mental health and specialist services to ensure continuity and integration of treatment. Strengthened policy focus and continued research are needed to optimise management pathways, support implementation of effective interventions and ultimately reduce the societal burden of FSD.

Prioritising FSD in healthcare planning, through improved education, early diagnosis, and coordinated care across settings, is essential. Continued research and policy support are needed to strengthen FSD care.