Toward an Empirical Case Definition of CFS

Bibliographic Data

ID11215214
AuthorsLeonard A Jason (0000-0002-9972-4425, DePaul University, corresponding author), Karina Corradi (DePaul University), Susan Torres‐harding (0000-0001-7009-7117, Roosevelt University), Susan Torresharding
Year2007
Volume34
Issue2
Pages43-54
Publication date2007-12-17
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Service Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0148-8376 • E-ISSN: 1540-7314
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j079v34n02_04
OpenAlexW2093713869
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited31

The current case definition of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was developed by consensus rather than empirical methods. From a practice point of view, if the case definition is not empirically-based, it is possible that some individuals with this illness might not be diagnosed, and others who do not have the disorder might be diagnosed. In the present study, 114 individuals with CFS were provided a theoretically driven questionnaire that featured neuropsychiatric, vascular, inflammatory, muscle/joint, infectious, and other symptoms. When symptoms using this classification were factor analyzed, a more interpretable factor structure was identified than when using symptoms from traditional case definition criteria. Factor scores from the new classification system were cluster analyzed, and four types of patient groups were identified. The field of CFS studies needs to be grounded in empirical methods for determining a case definition versus more consensus-based efforts. Such efforts will ultimately help social service providers better diagnose and provide services to those with this chronic illness

Chronic fatigue syndrome · Cluster (spacecraft · Empirical research · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Computer Science · Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research · Health, psychology, and well-being · Medicine · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Psychology