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Comparative Study
. 2012 Sep;68(9):1028-35.
doi: 10.1002/jclp.21880. Epub 2012 Jun 29.

Understanding long-term outcomes of chronic fatigue syndrome

Molly M Brown  1 , David S Bell, Leonard A Jason, Constance Christos, David E Bell
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Understanding long-term outcomes of chronic fatigue syndrome

Molly M Brown et al. J Clin Psychol. 2012 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: This study sought to examine long-term health, symptom, and disability outcomes among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by comparing those diagnosed with CFS 25 years ago with healthy controls.

Method: Of the 25 participants diagnosed with CFS 25 years ago, 5 self-reported that they maintained a diagnosis of CFS, while 20 reported no longer having a diagnosis. These two groups were compared with healthy controls on outcomes related to functioning and symptom severity.

Results: Those who remitted from CFS showed significantly more impairment on 21 out of 23 outcomes compared with controls. On 17 outcomes, those who remitted had nonsignificant differences in impairment compared to those who maintained a CFS diagnosis.

Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that over time many individuals will not maintain a CFS diagnosis but will not return to their premorbid level of functioning.

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References

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    1. Brown MM, Brown AA, Jason LA. Illness duration and coping style in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychological Reports. 2010;106:383–393. doi: 10.2466/PR0.106.2.383-393. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

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