Table 1

Symptoms at 12.5 year follow up in 42 patients who initially presented with unilateral functional weakness and /or sensory disturbance

^aDenominator = 41 (42 patient replies, excluding the patient who was misdiagnosed).
^bAt onset 24 had numbness and 18 had weakness ± numbness.
^cDenominator = 18 (excluding men, patients with a hysterectomy, and those over 50).
^dDenominator = 46 (47 family doctor replies excluding the patient who was misdiagnosed).
Sex (F/M)	34/8
Age at investigation (years) (median (range))	36 (36 to 54)
Duration of follow up (years) (median (range))	12.5 (9 to 16)
Number taking medical retirement	12/41 (29%)^a
Patient ratings: most common symptoms (in more than 20%) ^a
Weakness^b	69%
Numbness^b	48%
Sleep difficulties	67%
Fatigue	58%
Joint pain	57%
Memory or concentration problems	57%
Back pain	55%
Muscle pain	52%
Heavy periods	44%^c
Depression	43%
Dizziness	43%
Headaches	40%
Gas or bloating	38%
Nausea	33%
Diarrhoea	33%
Palpitations	33%
Breathlessness	31%
Painful periods	28%^c
Sweats	24%
Anxiety	24%
Chest pain	21%
Swallowing difficulties	21%
Family doctor ratings
Misdiagnosis	1/47 (2%)
“This patient has good health”	39% disagree or strongly disagree^d
“This patient attends frequently”	40% agree or strongly agree^d
“’This patient has a history of several different medically functional symptoms”	30% agree or strongly disagree ^d