COGNITIVE-FUNCTIONING IS IMPAIRED IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME DEVOID OF PSYCHIATRIC DISEASE

Objective-To examine the effect of the presence or absence of psychiat ric disease on cognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome. Meth ods-Thirty six patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and 31 healthy c ontrols who did not exercise regularly were studied. Subgroups within the chronic fatigue syndrome sample were formed based on the presence or absence of comorbid axis I psychiatric disorders. Patients with psy chiatric disorders preceding the onset chronic fatigue drome were excl uded. Subjects administered a battery of standardised neuropsychologic al tests as well as a structured psychiatric interview. Results-Patien ts with chronic fatigue syndrome without psychiatric comorbidity were impaired relative to controls and patients with chronic fatigue syndro me with concurrent psychiatric disease on tests of memory, attention, and information processing. Conclusion-Impaired cognition in chronic f atigue syndrome cannot be explained solely by the presence of a psychi atric condition.