title: Assessing current functioning as a measure of significant reduction in activity level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have case definitions with varying criteria, but almost all criteria require an individual to have a substantial reduction in activity level. Unfortunately, a consensus has not been reached regarding what constitutes substantial reductions. One measure that has been used to measure substantial reduction is the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36).[1].
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study examined the relationship between the SF-36, a measure of current functioning, and a self-report measure of the percent reduction in hours spent on activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicated that select subscales of the SF-36 accurately measure significant reductions in functioning. Further, this measure significantly differentiates patients from controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Determining what constitutes a significant reduction in activity is difficult because it is subjective to the individual. However, certain subscales of the SF-36 could provide a uniform way to accurately measure and define substantial reductions in functioning.
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Taylor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thorpe
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McManimen
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stoothoff
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Julia L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.affiliation: Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Elin Bolle
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Strand
authors.affiliation: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA.
authors.forename: Leonard A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Jason
keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome; functioning; myalgic encephalomyelitis; substantial reduction