Expert multidisciplinary consensus on the recognition and management of somatic symptom disorder in China.

Authors

Heng Wu, Jianxin Cao, Song Cui, Xiao Huang, Kurt Fritzsche, Yanli Luo, Xiquan Ma, Lili Tang, Jing Wei, Xianghuai Xu, Yonggui Yuan, Bo Zhou, Shaohua Hu, Zheng Lu

Published in

American journal of translational research. Volume 18. Issue 9. Pages 7986-8005. Epub Sep 15, 2026.

Abstract

To develop a multidisciplinary expert consensus on the recognition and management of somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in Chinese general hospitals, based on a synthesis of available evidence and clinical expertise.
A multidisciplinary expert panel conducted a systematic literature search and evidence synthesis, followed by structured discussions and Delphi-based anonymous voting to formulate consensus recommendations. Recommendations were adopted when at least 70% of panel members rated them as "Agree" or "Strongly Agree". Items that did not reach the predefined threshold were revised and reconsidered in subsequent rounds.
The consensus emphasized a biopsychosocial and psychosomatic-integrative approach to SSD, including early recognition of psychological and behavioral characteristics, comprehensive assessment of biopsychosocial factors, attention to psychiatric and medical comorbidities, therapeutic alliance, multidisciplinary collaboration, and stepped management according to clinical severity and risk. Psychological and pharmacologic interventions are recommended according to symptom profiles, comorbidities, and individual clinical characteristics.
This multidisciplinary expert consensus provides an evidence-based guide for the recognition and management of SSD across clinical settings. The recommendations are intended to support individualized and multidisciplinary clinical decision-making. Prospective and multicenter studies are needed to evaluate their feasibility, implementation, and clinical effectiveness.

PMID:
42923524
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Nov 2026.

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