Full title: A natural history study of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Authors: Jason LA, Porter N, Hunnell J, Brown A, Rademaker A, Richman JA.
DePaul University.
Publication: Rehabil Psychol. 56(1):32-42.
Publication date: 2011 Feb
Abstract
Objective:
There is a need for natural history chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) studies from random, community-based, multi-ethnic populations.
Design:
The present study examined the course of CFS from Wave 1 to Wave 2, which spanned over a ten year period of time, and, assessed whether socio-environmental and symptomatology factors were associated with CFS status over the ten year period.
Results:
There was relative stability over time on critical measures of disability, fatigue, support, optimism and coping over time. One cardinal symptoms of CFS, post-exertional malaise, best differentiated the CFS group from the others. By Wave 2, of the original group of 32 individuals diagnosed with CFS, 4 had died, and 24 were found and agreed to be re-evaluated, and of this group, 16 continued to have CFS, 5 developed exclusionary illnesses, 2 were classified as Idiopathic chronic fatigue, and one had remitted. Conclusions: The current study found that over time in a community-based sample, unbiased by help seeking behavior the CFS group remained rather ill with a variety of different conditions over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved).
PMID: 21401284 [PubMed - in process]
View this abstract in PubMed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21401284
