Psychosocial Nursing Diagnoses of Individuals With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Aim: To describe the prevalence of psychosocial nursing diagnostic labels and their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics in adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis-chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Design: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Methods: Population: Adults with ME/CFS.

Inclusion criteria: Being 18 years of age or older, having a medical diagnosis of ME/CFS and being an active member of a patient association. Data collection took place between May and July 2022 using an online and paper-based ad hoc form that included sociodemographic and clinical data. Psychosocial diagnostic labels were obtained using the Questionnaire for Psychosocial Nursing Diagnosis (QPSND). In addition to a descriptive analysis, the relationships between the diagnostic labels obtained were explored through a multiple correspondence analysis, which was supplemented by a hierarchical cluster analysis of the results of the latter.

Results: Forty-eight participants completed the form. Their mean age was 52.5 years (SD = 6.81), 95.83% were female, 70.83% had a university education, and 35.42% were actively working. Sixty-six percent had some degree of officially recognised disability, and 16.67% had an officially recognised degree of dependency. The most prevalent diagnostic labels were Powerlessness (79.17%), Ineffective Coping (62.5%), and Fear (62.5%). The multiple correspondence analysis and subsequent cluster analysis identified profiles of individuals with ME/CFS: one profile (cluster 3) had greater psychosocial involvement based on the diagnostic labels assigned, as well as a lower educational level and higher symptom intensity. The other two profiles appear to bring together mainly employed or retired individuals with lower severity and frequency of symptoms, and who are at risk of developing psychosocial human responses.

Conclusions: Participants have a high prevalence of psychosocial diagnostic labels, suggestive of the psychosocial distress concomitant with ME/CFS. Nursing diagnoses allow subgroups of affected individuals to be differentiated and aligned based on differences in sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.