Journal article
Depressive and anxiety symptoms in current, previous, and no history of ME/CFS: NHIS 2022 analysis
Quality of life research, Vol.34(3), pp.777-787
03/2025
DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03854-2
PMID: 39579271
Abstract
Purpose
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Psychological symptoms are predisposing factors for, as well as symptoms of, ME/CFS. Recovery from ME/CFS is poorly understood and heterogenous, and it is unclear how psychological symptoms may change with recovery. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of depressive and anxious symptoms among individuals with current, previous, and no history of ME/CFS.
Methods
National Health Interview Survey 2022 data were analyzed to assess ME/CFS status, as well as anxiety and depression burden. Adults (unweighted N = 27,651) in the United States reported sociodemographic and health behavior characteristics, with 453 adults reporting current ME/CFS, while 119 reported previous ME/CFS. Sample weights and variance estimation variables were implemented. Multivariable linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between ME/CFS status and anxiety and depression severity after adjusting for sociodemographic and health behavior variables.
Results
Participants were on average 48.1 years of age, and most identified as female (51.3%), white (76.6%), and not Hispanic or Latine (82.8%). Current and previous ME/CFS were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to individuals with no history of ME/CFS. Clinically significant levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms were substantial for individuals with current (37.6%; 49.0%) and previous (26.5%; 33.4%) ME/CFS compared to individuals with no history of ME/CFS (6.1%; 6.7%).
Conclusion
ME/CFS, regardless of current presence, was related to significantly greater anxiety and depressive symptom burden.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Depressive and anxiety symptoms in current, previous, and no history of ME/CFS: NHIS 2022 analysis
- Creators
- Zoe Sirotiak - Iowa State UniversityJenna L. Adamowicz - VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemEmily B. K. Thomas - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Quality of life research, Vol.34(3), pp.777-787
- Publisher
- SPRINGER
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11136-024-03854-2
- PMID
- 39579271
- ISSN
- 0962-9343
- eISSN
- 1573-2649
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 11/23/2024
- Date published
- 03/2025
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984749726802771
Metrics
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