Chronic fatigue syndrome in healthcare professionals: Insights from a psychiatric hospital

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate professor of psychiatry, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

10.22038/JFMH.2024.83064.3173

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) threatens individuals' mental health and quality of life. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among the healthcare professionals of a psychiatric hospital.
 
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an electronic questionnaire to assess CFS from healthcare professionals at Ibn-e-Sina Psychiatric Hospital in Mashhad, Iran in 2023. A total of 278 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and independent sample t-tests with SPSS-26.
 
Results: Among all the individuals included in the study, 75 out of 190 (39.5%) had CFS. The mean age was 35.62 ± 7.9 years and the mean professional history of the participants was 9.34 ± 7.6 years. 17 healthcare professionals had a positive history of psychiatric disorders. 164 participants were married, and 141 had no children. 181 participants were employed. Only three individuals (1.1%) had a history of substance abuse, and a significant association was found between substance abuse and chronic fatigue (P= 0.025). Additionally, a significant association was found between those with a history of psychiatric medication use and chronic fatigue (P= 0.001), indicating that chronic fatigue was higher in individuals with a history of psychiatric medication use.
 
Conclusion: Our study sheds light on the often-overlooked chronic fatigue issue among healthcare professionals. The significant associations we found with substance abuse and psychiatric medication use underscore the complexity of this condition.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Fundamentals of Mental Health
Volume 27, Issue 1
January and February 2025
Pages 35-41

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