Premorbid Predictors of Chronic Fatigue

Higher emotional instability and self-reported stress in the premorbid period were associated with higher risk for chronic fatigue-like illness in matched case-control analyses and co-twin control analyses.

Abstract

Elevated premorbid stress is a significant risk factor for chronic fatigue-like illness, the effect of which may be buffered by genetic influences. Emotional instability assessed 25 years earlier is associated with chronic fatigue through genetic mechanisms contributing to both personality style and expression of the disorder. These findings suggest plausible mechanisms for chronic fatiguing illness.