Table 4 Symptoms and wellness scores for CFS subjects at initial classification and follow-up
From: A population-based study of the clinical course of chronic fatigue syndrome
Characteristic | Initial classification (N = 65) | 1-year follow-up (N = 59) | 2-years follow-up (N = 39) | 3-years follow-up (N = 24) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CFS symptoms lasting ≥ 6 months (%) | ||||
Unrefreshing sleep | 95.4 | 88.1 | 89.7 | 79.2* |
Muscle aches or muscle pain | 92.3 | 74.6* | 74.4* | 66.7* |
Unusual fatigue post-exertion | 78.5 | 50.9* | 53.9* | 33.3* |
Difficulty thinking/concentrating or memory problems | 76.9 | 71.2 | 59.0 | 62.5 |
Pain in joints | 73.9 | 64.4 | 64.1 | 66.7 |
Severe headaches | 58.5 | 35.6* | 41.0 | 29.2* |
Tender lymph nodes | 16.9 | 20.3 | 12.8 | 4.2 |
Sore throat | 12.3 | 6.8 | 5.3 | 0.0 |
Number of CFS symptoms (%) | ||||
0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 7.7 | 4.2 |
1–3 | 0.0 | 32.2 | 25.6 | 50.0 |
7–8 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
Mean number (standard deviation) | 5 (1.1) | 4.1 (1.7)* | 4.0 (1.7)* | 3.4 (1.5)* |
Non-CFS symptoms lasting ≥ 6 months (%)‡ | ||||
Problems getting to sleep or waking up early in the morning | 81.4 | 69.5 | 74.4 | 75.0 |
General weakness | 80.0 | 61.0* | 74.4 | 50.0* |
Sinus or nasal problems | 67.7 | 50.9* | 53.9 | 58.3 |
Sensitivity to light | 56.9 | 52.5 | 59.0 | 58.3 |
Depression | 49.2 | 44.1 | 38.5 | 37.5 |
Numbness or tingling | 35.9 | 44.8 | 30.8 | 58.3* |
Shortness of breath | 35.4 | 27.1 | 23.1 | 45.8 |
Stomach or abdominal pain | 24.6 | 30.5 | 28.2 | 13.0 |
Diarrhea | 20.0 | 20.3 | 20.5 | 4.2 |
Chills | 18.8 | 13.6 | 5.1 | 4.2 |
Nausea | 12.3 | 6.8 | 5.1 | 4.2 |
Fever | 12.3 | 6.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Mean number (standard deviation) | 4.9 (2.0) | 4.3 (2.2)* | 4.1 (2.1) | 4.1 (1.9) |
Total CFS and non-CFS symptoms, mean (standard deviation) | 10 (2.5) | 8.4 (3.5)* | 8.1 (3.5)* | 7.5 (2.9)* |
Wellness scores, mean (standard deviation) | 41.2 (17.3) | 48.5 (20.7)† | 46.8 (20.5) | 50.4 (17.6) |