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KMID : 1138720200460010107
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Korean Public Health Research
2020 Volume.46 No. 1 p.107 ~ p.116
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Characteristics of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): based on Qualitative Content-Analysis of Patient Description
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Lim Eun-Jin
Jang Eun-Su
Son Chang-Gue
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Abstract
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Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) for facilitation of the diagnosis process and planning more effective treatment strategy for clinicians and the patients.
Methods: We contacted 50 members who have been diagnosed or suspected CFS from an online social community of CFS. Twenty-five members agreed on participation and we obtained the informed consent. We collected the data of web-based communication and description on the experiences of the illness, written from December, 2014 to September, 2019. We coded and analyzed the data using qualitative content-analysis method.
Results: According to the concepts, twenty codes were found and abstracted to two main categories: 1. the characteristics of the illness, 2. the adjustments to the illness, and five generic categories: 1-1. Symptoms, 1-2. Development and onset of the illness, 1-3. Identity of the illness, 2-1. Strategy dealing with the illness, and 2-2. Aware of physical ability to medication and treatment.
Conclusion: The findings of this study may suggest the importance of approaching strategy to the illness that is chronic, complex, and re-lapsable with uncertain diagnosis for the CFS patients and health care providers.
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KEYWORD
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chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, CFS, ME/CFS, qualitative content analysis
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