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Differential Effect of Childhood Trauma Subtypes on Fatigue and Physical Functioning in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

M. De Venter ,
J. Illegems ,
R. Van Royen ,
B. Sabbe ,
G. Moorkens  and
F. Van Den Eede
M. De Venter
Affiliation:
Campus Antwerp University Hospital UZA, University Psychiatric Department, Edegem, Belgium
J. Illegems
Affiliation:
Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Behaviour Therapy Division for Fatigue and Functional Symptoms, Edegem, Belgium
R. Van Royen
Affiliation:
Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Department of Internal Medicine, Edegem, Belgium
B. Sabbe
Affiliation:
Campus Psychiatric Hospital St.-Norbertus, University Psychiatric Department, Duffel, Belgium
G. Moorkens
Affiliation:
Antwerp University Hospital UZA, Department of Internal Medicine, Edegem, Belgium
F. Van Den Eede
Affiliation:
Campus Antwerp University Hospital UZA, University Psychiatric Department, Edegem, Belgium

Abstract

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Objective

There is a large consensus concerning the important aetiological role of childhood trauma in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). In the current study, we examine the differential effect of childhood trauma subtypes on fatigue and physical functioning in patients with CFS.

Methods

One hundred and fifty-five participants receiving treatment at the outpatient clinic for CFS of the Antwerp University Hospital in Belgium were included in this study. Stepwise regression analyses were conducted with the outcomes of the total score of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) measuring fatigue and the physical functioning subscale of the medical outcomes short form-36 health status survey (SF-36) as the dependent variables, and the scores on the five Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC) subscales as the independent variables.

Results

Fatigue and physical functioning scores in CFS patients were significantly predicted by sexual harassment only. A significant effect of emotional neglect, emotional abuse and bodily threat during childhood on elevated fatigue or reduced physical functioning levels could not be found.

Conclusion

There is a differential effect of childhood trauma subtypes on fatigue and physical functioning in CFS patients. Sexual harassment emerged as the most important predictor variable. Therefore, childhood (sexual) trauma has to be taken into account in assessment and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
e-poster walk: Consultation liaison psychiatry and psychosomatics–Part 1
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 41 , Issue S1: Abstract of the 25th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2017 , pp. S233
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2017
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