title: Measuring substantial reductions in activity.
abstract: The case definitions for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), ME, and CFS each include a disability criterion requiring substantial reductions in activity in order to meet diagnostic criteria. Difficulties have been encountered in defining and operationalizing the substantial reduction disability criterion within these various illness definitions. The present study sought to relate measures of past and current activities in several domains including the SF-36, an objective measure of activity (e.g., actigraphy), a self-reported quality of life scale, and measures of symptom severity. Results of the study revealed that current work activities had the highest number of significant associations with domains such as the SF-36 subscales, actigraphy, and symptom scores. As an example, higher self-reported levels of current work activity were associated with better health. This suggests that current work related activities may provide a useful domain for helping operationalize the construct of substantial reductions in activity.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Community Research, DePaul University , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schafer
authors.forename: Meredyth
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jason
authors.forename: Suzanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: So
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; activity; chronic fatigue syndrome; substantial reductions