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. 2020 Jun 5;18(1):170.
doi: 10.1186/s12955-020-01430-z.

Health-related quality of life in Norwegian adolescents living with chronic fatigue syndrome

Wenche Ann Similä  1   2 , Vidar Halsteinli  3   4 , Ingrid B Helland  5 , Christer Suvatne  6 , Hanna Elmi  5 , Torstein Baade Rø  6   7
Affiliations

Health-related quality of life in Norwegian adolescents living with chronic fatigue syndrome

Wenche Ann Similä et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. .

Abstract

Purpose: The primary aim was to measure health related quality of life (HRQoL) in a Norwegian cohort of adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME). A secondary aim was to identify factors before diagnosis, at time of diagnosis and after diagnosis that were associated with HRQoL.

Methods: In this cross-sectional population-based study, HRQoL was measured by Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Generic Core scale version 4.0 (PedsQL4.0) in 63 adolescents with CFS/ME. In addition, fatigue was measured by PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue scale (PedsQL-MFS), depressive symptoms were measured by the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), and disruption in school activities was measured by The De Paul Pediatric Health Questionnaire (DPHQ-N). Data were also collected from medical records and patient interviews.

Results: Age at diagnosis was 15 (2) years (mean (SD)), and four out of five participants were female. Time from diagnosis to reply was 39 (22) months. Adolescents with CFS/ME reported PedsQL4.0 score 50 (17), and boys reported a better score than girls (64 vs 47, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for difference (- 27; - 6)). There were positive associations between overall HRQoL and support from a schoolteacher, school attendance or participation in leisure activities. There were negative associations between overall HRQoL and delayed school progression, having been to rehabilitation stay and depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: HRQoL in adolescents diagnosed with CFS/ME was low. The associations between reported HRQoL, healthcare previously provided, support from a schoolteacher, school attendance and participation in leisure activity may provide information of value when developing refined strategies for healthcare among adolescents with CFS/ME. Possible causal relationships must however be explored in future studies.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescent health; Chronic fatigue syndrome; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there is no competing interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
HRQoL-, Fatigue- and SMFQ- scores in relation to Duration of fatigue, n = 59. For PedsQL4.0 and PedsQL-MFS high score is better, for SMFQ low score is better
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Factors found with association to HRQoL in adolescents living with CFS/ME
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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