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Housebound versus nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome

Lookup NU author(s): Emerita Professor Julia Newton

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Abstract

© The Author(s) 2015.Objectives The objective of this study was to examine individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome who are confined to their homes due to severe symptomatology. The existing literature fails to address differences between this group, and less severe, nonhousebound patient populations. Methods Participants completed the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire, a measure of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome symptomology, and the SF-36, a measure of health impact on physical/mental functioning. ANOVAs and, where appropriate, MANCOVAS were used to compare housebound and nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome across areas of functioning, symptomatology, and illness onset characteristics. Results Findings indicated that the housebound group represented one quarter of the sample, and were significantly more impaired with regards to physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning, fatigue, postexertional malaise, sleep, pain, neurocognitive, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immune functioning compared to individuals who were not housebound. Discussion Findings indicated that housebound patients have more impairment on functional and symptom outcomes compared to those who were not housebound. Understanding the differences between housebound and not housebound groups holds implications for physicians and researchers as they develop interventions intended for patients who are most severely affected by this chronic illness.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Pendergrast T, Brown A, Sunnquist M, Jantke R, Newton JL, Strand EB, Jason LA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Chronic Illness

Year: 2016

Volume: 12

Issue: 4

Pages: 292-307

Print publication date: 01/12/2016

Online publication date: 28/04/2016

Acceptance date: 02/04/2016

ISSN (print): 1742-3953

ISSN (electronic): 1745-9206

Publisher: SAGE Publications Ltd

URL: http://doi.org/10.1177/1742395316644770

DOI: 10.1177/1742395316644770


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