The psychiatric status of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.
The prevalence of psychiatric disorder in 48 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was determined. Twenty-two had had a major depressive (non-endogenous) episode during the course of their illness, while seven had a current major (non-endogenous) depression. The pre-morbid prevalence of major depression (12.5%) and of total psychiatric disorder (24.5%) was no higher than general community estimates. The pattern of psychiatric symptoms in the CFS patients was significantly different to that of 48 patients with non-endogenous depression, but was comparable with that observed in other medical disorders. Patients with CFS were not excessively hypochondriacal. We conclude that psychological disturbance is likely to be a consequence of, rather than an antecedent risk factor to the syndrome.
Hickie
I
I
Division of Psychiatry, Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Lloyd
A
A
Wakefield
D
D
Parker
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000209:etiology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010200:Panic; D012008:Recurrence