Abstract
This study serves as an investigation of the reliability of symptom data as reported by individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), across three recall time frames (the past week, the past month, and the past 6 months), and at two assessment points (with 1 week in between each assessment). Multilevel model analyses were used to determine the optimal recall time frame, in terms of test -retest reliability, for each of the Fukuda et al. (1994) case defining symptoms. Results suggested that the optimal time frame for reliably reporting CFS symptoms was six months for sore throat, lymph node pain, muscle pain, post-exertional malaise, headaches, memory/concentration difficulties, and unrefreshing sleep. For joint pain, the optimal time frame was one month. Researchers who are interested in the assessment of CFS symptoms need to take recall time frame into account, especially when the intended goal is to standardize and improve the methods used to reliably and accurately diagnose this complex illness.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 367-381 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Evaluation and the Health Professions |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 18 2015 |
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: The authors appreciate the financial assistance provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant number AI055735).
Keywords
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- health assessment
- reliability
- symptom recall
- time frame
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Policy
