Abstract
Background: Controversy continues to exist as to whether Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a psychological/psychiatric disorder. To further understand this condition the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) conducted a Surveillance Study. The CDC partitioned 565 subjects with fatiguing illnesses into four diagnostic groups, one of which met the 1988 CDC criteria for CFS. The non-CFS groups had either insufficient severity (idiopathic), medical exclusions or prior psychiatric disorders.
Objectives: The present study reports on the psychiatric features in that study, estimates the time of onset of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and looks for possible relationships between 1988 CDC criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and psychiatric disorders.
Methods: The study design is cross-sectional. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) assessed for four Axis I psychiatric disorders. Time of onset of MDD was estimated from the DIS and validated by an examination of the medical records. Odds ratios and confidence intervals were calculated as tests of association between 1988 CDC criteria and psychiatric disorders.
Results: Subjects classified as CFS and non-CFS had similar rates of psychiatric disorders. A minority of subjects had preexisting MDD. Three 1988 CDC criteria were associated with current MDD whilst no criteria were associated with prior MDD.
Conclusions: CFS subjects did not demonstrate any unique patterns of psychiatric disorders. MDD may not be an important predisposing factor for CFS or the other fatiguing illnesses. Some 1988 CDC criteria may be preferentially endorsed by subjects with current MDD.