The Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Predictive Role of Psychological and Demographical Factor

Psycho-social factors have impact on quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue and influencing the therapeutic outcomes in these patients. The aim of this research was to investigate predictive role of psychological and demographical factors on quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. In cross-sectional design study, 393 outpatients (150 men and 243 women) with chronic fatigue syndrome in attendants to hospital's clinics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences selected by convenience sampling. Data collected by Demographical Information Questionnaire, Chalder Fatigue Scale and Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS-IV), Quality of Life Scale (WHO- QOL- BREF) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and analyzed by correlation and stepwise multiple regression. There was a significantly negative relationship among depression, anxiety, age and quality of life (P<0.001). Depression, anxiety, and age significantly predicted variation of quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (P<0.001) and totally explain 61% of quality of life (R2 = 0.61). Depression weight in explain of quality of life was highest (0.556). Depression, anxiety and patient's age important for quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Setting an agenda of planning for treatment of depression and anxiety in older aged patients with chronic fatigue syndrome is necessity for basic quality of life promotion in these patients.