Functional status and mood in Persian Gulf veterans with unexplained fatiguing illness

In this investigation, the effects of unexplained fatiguing illness and psy chiatric disturbance on functional status and quality of life in Gulf War v eterans (GWVs) was examined. Twenty-nine GWVs with unexplained fatigue (Fuk uda ct al., 1994) and an Axis I psychiatric diagnosis, 19 GWVs with fatigue and no Axis I psychiatric disorder, and 45 healthy GWVs were evaluated. GW Vs with unexplained fatigue suffered from significant functional decline an d decreased well-being in all spheres, relative to healthy GWVs. Veterans w ith comorbid psychiatric illnesses demonstrated the most impaired functioni ng on measures of life quality that emphasized psychological well-being, bu t they did not demonstrate reduced physical functioning relative to other f atigued veterans. Thus, reduced physical functioning and well-being in GWVs cannot be attributed to psychiatric disturbance but seems to result from u nexplained fatiguing illness.