Tag: hyperactive lifestyle

Premorbid “overactive” lifestyle in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. An etiological factor or proof of good citizenship?

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: In a former study, we have shown that patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or chronic pain, when questioned about their premorbid lifestyle, reported a high level of “action-proneness” as compared to control groups. The aim of the present study was to control for the patients’ possible idealisation of their previous attitude towards action.

METHODS: A validated Dutch self-report questionnaire measuring “action-proneness” (the HAB) was completed by 62 randomly selected tertiary care CFS and fibromyalgia (FM) patients, as well as by their significant others (SOs).

RESULTS: HAB scores of the patients and those of the SOs were very similar and significantly higher than the norm values. Whether or not the SO showed sympathy for the patient’s illness did not influence the results to a great extent. SOs with a negative attitude towards the illness even characterized the patients as more “action-prone.”

CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further support for the hypothesis that a high level of “action-proneness” may play a predisposing, initiating and/or perpetuating role in CFS and FM.

 

Source: Van Houdenhove B, Neerinckx E, Onghena P, Lysens R, Vertommen H. Premorbid “overactive” lifestyle in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. An etiological factor or proof of good citizenship? J Psychosom Res. 2001 Oct;51(4):571-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11595245

 

Does high ‘action-proneness’ make people more vulnerable to chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled psychometric study

Abstract:

Degree of premorbid ‘action-proneness’ was measured, using a self-administered questionnaire, in 35 patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), all the members of ‘ME’-self help groups and all those meeting CDC-criteria of CFS. The results were compared with those of 30 chronic idiopathic musculoskeletal pain patients, 34 patients with a chronic organic condition, and 34 neurotic patients without primary somatic complaints. Statistical analysis showed that CFS patients described themselves as significantly more ‘action-prone’ than the last two groups, and to a degree which was comparable with the chronic pain group. The results could not be explained by concomitant depression and are in accordance with anecdotal reports of premorbid hyperactive lifestyle in CFS patients. Further investigations seem worthwhile to test the hypothesis that hyperactivity might be a predisposing factor for chronic illness behaviour in CFS patients.

 

Source: Van Houdenhove B, Onghena P, Neerinckx E, Hellin J. Does high ‘action-proneness’ make people more vulnerable to chronic fatigue syndrome? A controlled psychometric study. J Psychosom Res. 1995 Jul;39(5):633-40. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7490698