Full title: Long-term sickness absence among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Authors: Knudsen AK, Henderson M, Harvey SB, Chalder T.
Source: Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway.
Publication: Br J Psychiatry
Publication date: 8 Sept 2011
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with high levels of occupational disability. Consecutive out-patients at a chronic fatigue syndrome treatment service were studied for associations between occupational status, symptom severity and cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms. All patients had high symptom levels; however, those on long-term sickness absence had significantly more physical fatigue (β = 0.098, P<0.05) and worse sleep (β = 0.075, P<0.05). Patients with long-term sickness absence also demonstrated more embarrassment avoidance cognitions (β = 0.086, P<0.05) and avoidance resting behavioural responses (β = 0.078, P<0.05). Identifying and addressing avoidance behaviours and cognitions regarding embarrassment in interventions may enhance the chances of individuals returning to work.
PMID: 21903665 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
View the abstract in PubMed.
