Predictors of outcome in a multi-component treatment program for chronic fatigue syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about factors predicting treatment outcome in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Based on Vercoulen et al.'s (1998) cognitive-behavioral model of perpetuating factors in CFS, the predictive value of the following patient characteristics were examined in a sample of 178 CFS patients who followed a multi-component treatment program: (1) somatic attributions, (2) psychological attributions, (3) sense of control over symptoms, (4) physical activity, (5) functional impairment, (6) somatic focus, and (7) severity of depression.


RESULTS
Only pre-treatment severity of depression was associated with negative treatment outcome defined in terms of post-treatment fatigue and improvement in fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
The study was conducted at a tertiary care centre and did not include a control group or a long-term follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Level of depression may be the most important factor of the cognitive-behavioral model predicting post-treatment fatigue in CFS. Hence, findings suggest that treatment of CFS should include a focus on severity of depression.
Kempke
Stefan
S
Department of Psychology, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. stefan.kempke@psy.kuleuven.be
Goossens
Lutgarde
L
Luyten
Patrick
P
Bekaert
Patrick
P
Van Houdenhove
Boudewijn
B
Van Wambeke
Peter
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult