Authors' objectives:

The objective of this evidence report was to perform a systematic review of the published literature to provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the best available evidence and most current medical knowledge regarding disability in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Authors' results and conclusions: Of 3,840 citations identified, 53 studies describing 4,558 patients with CFS met all eligibility criteria. Twenty-two of these studies described comparator groups of healthy controls totaling 775 patients. The majority of CFS patients represented in the 37 studies reporting employment status were unemployed. The evidence suggests that some individuals with CFS have cognitive or affective impairments on neuropsychological tests, but results are not consistent. Depression of greater severity is associated with unemployment, but no other impairment appeared to be consistently associated with disability or work outcomes. No specific interventions have been proven to be effective in restoring the ability to work. No specific patient characteristics have been identified as best predictors of positive employment outcomes in CFS patients. The patient's level of functioning at the time of diagnosis should be compared to functioning prior to the onset of illness especially as it relates to work, school, social and home activities. The major limitations of this review are related to the weaknesses inherent in the current medical and scientific published literature regarding CFS. Study designs were not sufficiently homogeneous to allow quantitative synthesis of individual study results, and external validity was low. While some studies reported test and scale results, this was highly variable with relatively sparse and inconsistent reporting of both baseline and outcome data. No studies specifically measured the impact of baseline impairment data or treatment interventions on work function or employment outcomes.

Authors' recommendations: While relationships between various impairment measures and work/disability status might be explored in some cases, the best available evidence from the literature did not allow for determination of causality. The limitations inherent in the current literature review are noted and the research community is urged to conduct methodologically rigorous, longitudinal, interventional studies to determine what baseline characteristics are associated with inability to work, and what interventions are effective in restoring the ability to work in the CFS population.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/cfsdissum.htm

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;

Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)