Role of partner and relationship satisfaction in treatment outcome of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract

Background: Responses of partners of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can influence symptoms. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) leads to a significant decrease of CFS symptoms. Objective of this study was to explore if partner’s solicitous responses and patients’ and partners’ relationship satisfaction predicted treatment outcome. Methods: Treatment outcome was studied in a cohort of 204 CFS-patients. At baseline, partner’s solicitous responses, and partners’ and CFS-patients’ relationship satisfaction were assessed. Patients completed pre- and post treatment the Checklist Individual Strength, assessing fatigue, and the Sickness Impact Profile, assessing disability. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with clinical significant improvement on outcome measures as dependent measure and solicitous responses and relationship satisfaction as predictors. Findings: More solicitous responses were associated with less clinical significant improvement in fatigue and disability. Partners reported more solicitous responses when they perceived CFS as a more severe condition. Patients’ relationship dissatisfaction was negatively associated with improvement in fatigue. Discussion: Partners’ responses and relationship satisfaction affect outcome of CBT. The illness perceptions of the partner are related to their solicitous responses. These findings have implications for treatment.