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Housebound versus nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome

Authors :
Leonard A. Jason
Abigail Brown
Tricia Pendergrast
Madison Sunnquist
Julia L. Newton
Rachel Jantke
Elin Bolle Strand
Source :
Chronic Illness. 12:292-307
Publication Year :
2016
Publisher :
SAGE Publications, 2016.

Abstract

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.

Details

ISSN :
17459206 and 17423953
Volume :
12
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Chronic Illness
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....6d0118e5ae6473967e44dbe21ddd0412
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/1742395316644770