Developing and validating a brief screening scale for ME/CFS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective The purpose of the current study was to develop and evaluate a brief screening instrument for ME/CFS. The current study identified 4 symptom items that identify those positive for the IOM ME/CFS case definition. Study Design A data set of over 2,000 patients with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and over 350 controls were assessed for the 4-item DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-Brief (DSQ-Brief). All respondents also completed the longer 54-item DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ-1) as well as the 14-item DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-Short Form (DSQ-SF). These data sets were collected from multiple countries. We also examined the DSQ-Brief, DSQ-1, and DSQ-SF with other chronic illness groups [Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS)] and those with Long COVID. Random Forest comparisons were employed in these analyses. Results When contrasting ME/CFS from controls, high levels of accuracy occurred using the DSQ-1, DSQ-SF, and DSQ-Brief. High accuracy again occurred for differentiating those with ME/CFS from MS, PPS, and Long COVID using the DSQ-1 and DSQ-SF, but accuracy was less for the DSQ-Brief. Conclusions The DSQ-Brief had high sensitivity, meaning it could identify those with ME/CFS versus controls, whereas accuracy dropped with other chronic illnesses. However, it was possible to achieve better accuracy and identify those cases where misidentification occurred by administering the DSQ-SF or DSQ-1 following the DSQ-Brief. It is now possible to screen individuals for ME/CFS using the DSQ-Brief and in so doing, identify those who are most likely to have ME/CFS.