Abstract
BackgroundFew reports have examined the association between unemployment and work disability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This study explored the key determinants of work disability in a CFS/ME cohort.MethodsA community-based prospective study included 1086 CFS/ME patients aged 18–65 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome measures were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify key risk indicators of work disability.ResultsFour hundred and fifty patients with CFS/ME were employed (41.4%) and 636 were unemployed (58.6%). Older age at pain onset (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1. 12–1.84, autonomic dysfunction (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.71–2.87), neurological symptom (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1. 30–2.13) and higher scores for fatigue (OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 2.01–3.39), pain (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.47–2.97), depression (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1. 20–3.26), psychopathology (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.51–2.61) and sleep dysfunction (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1. 14–1.90) were all associated with a higher risk of work disability due to illness.ConclusionsUsing an explanatory approach, our findings suggest that unemployment is consistently associated with an increased risk of work disability due to CFS/ME, although further more rigorous research is now needed to help in targeting interventions at the workplace.
Highlights
Few reports have examined the association between unemployment and work disability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)
Older age at pain onset (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1. 12–1.84, autonomic dysfunction (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.71–2.87), neurological symptom (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1. 30–2.13) and higher scores for fatigue (OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 2.01– 3.39), pain (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.47–2.97), depression (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1. 20–3.26), psychopathology (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.51–2.61) and sleep dysfunction (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1. 14–1.90) were all associated with a higher risk of work disability due to illness
Using an explanatory approach, our findings suggest that unemployment is consistently associated with an increased risk of work disability due to CFS/ME, further more rigorous research is needed to help in targeting interventions at the workplace
Summary
Few reports have examined the association between unemployment and work disability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a serious, complex, multisystem, neuroimmune condition with a variety of clinical presentations that affect millions of people all over the world. CFS/ME is characterized by debilitating chronic fatigue, widespread pain, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairments and autonomic dysfunction, which affect daily physical and work activity. By following standard medical procedures – taking a careful/thorough history, ruling out similar fatigue-related illnesses, noting signs and symptoms typical of the condition, any medications the patient is currently taking, any other factors that might influence the severity or persistence of the fatigue, and ordering tests that are usually abnormal in CFS/ME patients, any physician can diagnose the disease. The present study aims to identify key factors of work disability in a large Spanish CFS/ME sample in order to design interventions for overcoming them
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