Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the value of exercise testing and self-reported disability for the assessment of employment status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.


METHODS
Cross-sectional observational study.


METHODS
A university-based chronic fatigue clinic.


METHODS
Fifty-four consecutive, Flemish, employed (not self-employed) chronic fatigue syndrome patients (49/54 female).


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Participants were questioned about their current and premorbid employment status, filled in the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Activities and Participation Questionnaire (CFS-APQ), the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 Health Status Survey (SF-36), and performed a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer with continuous monitoring of cardiorespiratory variables.


RESULTS
A significant association was observed between the current employment rate and two SF-36 subscales (i.e., role limitations due to physical functioning and social functioning; rho = 0.39 and 0.35 respectively) (n = 54). Analysing only the female chronic fatigue syndrome patients (n = 49), the current employment rate correlated significantly with the peak workload (rho = 0.38).


CONCLUSIONS
The associations between either exercise testing or self-reported disability and employment status are too weak to predict employment status.
Nijs
Jo
J
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. Jo.Nijs@vub.ac.be
Van de Putte
Karen
K
Louckx
Fred
F
De Meirleir
Kenny
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment; D005080:Exercise Test; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires