Journal article
Screening for psychiatric disorders in chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome
Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.42(1), pp.87-94
1997
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104061
PMID: 9055216
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are common in chronic fatigue (CF) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). To determine the usefulness of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), a self-report measure of psychological distress, in identifying those with psychiatric illnesses, a structured psychiatric interview and the GHQ were administered to 120 CF and 161 CFS patients seen in a referral clinic. Overall, 87 (35%) patients had a current and 210 (82%) a lifetime psychiatric disorder. Compared to patients without psychiatric disorders, GHQ scores above the threshold (⩾ 12) were more frequent among patients with current (
p < 0.001) and lifetime (
p < 0.05) diagnoses; scores among patients with CF and CFS were similar. Longer illness duration, greater fatigue severity, and current psychiatric disorders were significant predictors of the GHQ score. In CF and CFS, the best sensitivity (0.69–0.76) and specificity (0.51–0.62) were achieved for current psychiatric diagnoses using a threshold score of ⩾ 12. Thus, patients scoring < 12 on the GHQ are significantly less likely to have a psychiatric disorder.
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Details
- Title
- Screening for psychiatric disorders in chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Creators
- Dedra Buchwald - Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USATsilke Pearlman - Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USAPhalla Kith - Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USAWayne Katon - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USAKaren Schmaling - Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Publication Details
- Journal of psychosomatic research, Vol.42(1), pp.87-94
- Academic Unit
- Community Health; Psychology, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900546930301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article