Article

PURPOSE: To determine the validity and reliability of Short Form 36 Version 2
(SF36v2) in sub-groups of individuals with fatigue. METHOD: Thirty subjects
participated in this study, including n = 16 subjects who met case definition
criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and n = 14 non-disabled sedentary
matched control subjects. SF36v2 and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20)
were administered before two maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs)
administered 24 h apart and an open-ended recovery questionnaire was administered
7 days after CPET challenge. The main outcome measures were self-reported time to
recover to pre-challenge functional and symptom status, frequency of
post-exertional symptoms and SF36v2 sub-scale scores. RESULTS: Individuals with
CFS demonstrated significantly lower SF36v2 and MFI-20 sub-scale scores prior to
CPET. Between-group differences remained significant post-CPET, however, there
were no significant group by test interaction effects. Subjects with CFS reported
significantly more total symptoms (p < 0.001), as well as reports of fatigue (p <
0.001), neuroendocrine (p < 0.001), immune (p < 0.01), pain (p < 0.01) and sleep
disturbance (p < 0.01) symptoms than control subjects as a result of CPET. Many
symptom counts demonstrated significant relationships with SF36v2 sub-scale
scores (p < 0.05). SF36v2 and MFI-20 sub-scale scores demonstrated significant
correlations (p < 0.05). Various SF36v2 sub-scale scores demonstrated significant
predictive validity to identify subjects who recovered from CPET challenge within
1 day and 7 days (p < 0.05). Potential floor effects were observed for both
questionnaires for individuals with CFS. CONCLUSION: Various sub-scales of SF36v2
demonstrated adequate reliability and validity for clinical and research
applications. Adequacy of sensitivity to change of SF36v2 as a result of a
fatiguing stressor should be the subject of additional study.

Langue : ANGLAIS