Frequency and content analysis of chronic fatigue syndrome in medical text books

Text books are a cornerstone in the training of medical staff and students, and they are an important source of references and reviews for these professionals. The objective of this study was to determine both the quantity and quality of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) information included in medical texts. After reviewing 119 medical text books from various medical specialties, we found that 48 (40.3%) of the medical text books included information on CFS. However, among the 129 527 total pages within these medical text books, the CFS content was presented on only 116.3 (0.090%) pages. Other illnesses that are less prevalent, such as multiple sclerosis and Lyme disease, were more frequently represented in medical text books. These findings suggest that the topic of CFS is underreported in published medical text books.

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Comorbidity and Health-Related Quality of Life in People with Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073-11.1.6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 6-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Sharon A. Warren ◽

Karen V.L. Turpin ◽

Sheri L. Pohar ◽

C. Allyson Jones ◽

K.G. Warren

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Urinary Incontinence ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

This study examined associations between comorbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data were derived from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 1.1, a cross-sectional survey conducted by Statistics Canada. A nationally representative sample of community-dwelling Canadians was interviewed to determine whether they had been diagnosed with various chronic conditions. Participants were also administered the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) questionnaire to evaluate HRQL. Of the 131,535 participants, 335 reported having MS. Comorbidities listed by at least 10% of respondents with MS were assessed for their relation to HRQL, with age, sex, education, marital status, income, and number of comorbidities included as covariates. Respondents averaged 1.6 comorbidities. Eight comorbidities were experienced by at least 10% of respondents: back problems (35%), nonfood allergies (29%), urinary incontinence (28%), arthritis (26%), hypertension (17%), chronic fatigue syndrome (16%), depression (16%), and migraine (14%). Differences in HRQL between people with and without urinary incontinence, arthritis, hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression were either clinically important or statistically significant at the .05 level in bivariate analyses. Only urinary incontinence and depression, however, were negatively associated with HRQL in a multivariate analysis, which explained 26% of the variance. Lower levels of education and receiving social assistance were also negatively associated with HRQL, with social assistance contributing more to the variance in HRQL than either comorbidity.

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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Major Impact on Lives of Both Patients and Family Members

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57010043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 43

Author(s):

Esme Brittain ◽

Nina Muirhead ◽

Andrew Y. Finlay ◽

Jui Vyas

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Physical Health ◽

Family Members ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

World Health ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Fatigue Syndrome

Background and objectives: To explore the impacts that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) has on the patient and their family members using the WHOQOL-BREF (Abbreviated World Health Organisation Quality of Life questionnaire) and FROM-16 (Family Reported Outcome Measure-16) quality of life assessments. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research study using postal questionnaires was conducted. A total of 39 adult volunteers expressed an interest in participating in the study: 24 returned appropriately completed questionnaires. Patients with ME/CFS completed the WHOQOL-BREF and up to four of their family members completed the FROM-16 questionnaire. Results: ME/CFS negatively affects the quality of life of the patient (median scores WHOQOL-BREF: Physical health = 19, Psychological = 44, Social relationships = 37.5, Environment = 56, n = 24) and their family members’ quality of life (FROM-16: Emotional = 9.5, Personal and social = 11.5, Overall = 20.5, n = 42). There was a significant correlation between the patient’s reported quality of life scores and their family members’ mean FROM-16 total scores. Conclusions: This study identifies the major impact that having an adult family member with ME/CFS has on the lives of partners and of other family members. Quality of life of ME/CFS patients was reduced most by physical health compared to the other domains. Quality of life of family members was particularly impacted by worry, family activities, frustration and sadness. This highlights the importance of measuring the impact on the lives of family members using tools such as the FROM-16 in the ME/CFS clinical encounter and ensuring appropriate support is widely available to family members.

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Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041947 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e041947

Author(s):

Pamela G Mckay ◽

Helen Walker ◽

Colin R Martin ◽

Mick Fleming

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽

Chronic Fatigue ◽

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Fatigue Syndrome ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM). The hypothesis predicated that there would be no significant differences between the group’s symptom experience.DesignA quasiexperimental design. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and invariance testing.ParticipantsMales (M) and females (F) >16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME or FM by a general practitioner or specialist. CFS/ME (n=101, F: n=86, M: n=15, mean (M) age M=45.5 years). FM (n=107, F: n=95, M: n=12, M=47.2 years).Outcome measuresDiagnostic criteria: the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for CFS/ME and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FM. Additional symptom questionnaires measuring: pain, sleep quality, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression, locus of control and self-esteem.ResultsInvariance was confirmed with the exception of the American CDC Symptom Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p<0.05) based on five questions. Consequently, it was erroneous to conclude differences. Therefore, the Syndrome Model was created. SEM could not have tested the ACR previously, as it comprised a single data point. Thus, it was combined with these three questionnaires, increasing the data points, to create this new measurable model. Results confirmed no significant differences between groups (p=0.07 (p<0.05)).ConclusionParticipants responded in a similar manner to the questionnaire, confirming the same symptom experience. It is important to consider this in context with differing criteria and management guidelines, as this may influence diagnosis and the trajectory of patient’s management. With the biomedical cause currently unclear, it is the symptom experience and the impact on quality of life that is important. These findings are meaningful for patients, clinicians and policy development and support the requirement for future research.

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