CFS vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Health-Related Quality of Life in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome versus
Rheumatoid Arthritis as Control Group

Journal: J of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 14, No. 2, 2007, pp.31-43

Authors: Montserrat Núñez PhD, Esther Núñez PhD, Jos Luis del Val MD,
Jos Manuel Fernández-Huerta, Cayetano Alegre MD, Maria Bonet MD,
Daniel Roig MD, Esther Gomez MD, Teresa Godas Sieso, Joaquim Fernández-Sol MD


The objectives of this study were

(1) evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS);

(2) to compare the HRQL of these patients with that of rheumatoid
arthritis (RA) patients and healthy Spanish reference population
values (RPV); and

(3) to identify the influence of sociodemographic and clinical
variables on HRQL in CFS patients.

We included 216 outpatients: 94 females/14 males (age 42.9 ± 9.9
years) with CFS and 94 females/14 males with RA (age 42.9 ± 9.9
years). We used a cross-sectional, observational design.
Sociodemographic data, comorbidities, pain (VAS) and global
functional status were determined. HRQL was measured by the SF-36 and
HAQ questionnaires.

CFS patients had worse scores than RA patients in all SF36 dimensions
except emotional role (p < 0.01). Both CFS and RA patients had worse
scores in all SF36 dimensions than RPV. In CFS patients, pain
negatively influenced HRQL (p < 0.05) except for physical role,
social function and emotional role. Global functional status
negatively influenced HRQL (p < 0.05) except for bodily pain, general
health and mental health. Comorbidities worsened scores for physical
and social functions and mental health.

In conclusion, HRQL was worse in patients with CFS than in those with
RA. Both CFS and RA patients had worse HRQL compared with RPV.
Comorbidities, pain and global functional status influenced HRQL in
CFS patients. Standardised HRQL instruments are of value in
determining the quality of life in these patients.


Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome, quality of life, functional involvement

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