Table 2 Data on self-reported symptom clusters in the sample (n = 1086)
Symptoms | Employed (n = 450) | Unemployed (n = 636) | p-valuea |
|---|---|---|---|
Muscular | |||
Generalized chronic pain | 380 (84.4) | 583 (91.7) | < 0.001*** |
Muscle weakness | 439 (97.6) | 619 (97.3) | 0.815 |
Post-exertional malaise | 441 (98.0) | 630 (99.1) | 0.142 |
Difficulty performing fine movements due to pain | 389 (86.4) | 553 (86.9) | 0.809 |
Marked muscle contractures | 396 (88.0) | 567 (89.2) | 0.555 |
Myoclonic | 156 (34.7) | 264 (41.6) | 0.023* |
Falls due to loss of tone | 74 (16.4) | 159 (25.0) | 0.001*** |
Cognitive | |||
Concentration impairments | 424 (94.2) | 616 (96.9) | 0.034* |
Alterations in short-term memory consolidation | 410 (91.1) | 610 (95.9) | 0.001*** |
Alterations during task planning | 355 (78.9) | 577 (90.7) | < 0.001*** |
Difficulty with calculation | 385 (85.6) | 584 (91.8) | 0.001*** |
Difficulty redding | 402 (89.3) | 594 (93.4) | 0.017* |
Confusion and forgetfulness | 361 (80.2) | 560 (88.1) | < 0.001*** |
Temporal-spatial disorientation | 282 (62.7) | 481 (75.6) | < 0.001*** |
Episodes of nominal aphasia | 382 (84.9) | 565 (88.8) | 0.055 |
Auditory and visual agnosia | 133 (29.6) | 257 (40.4) | < 0.001*** |
Neurological | |||
Ataxia and/or dissymmetry | 331 (73.6) | 514 (80.8) | 0.005** |
Sensory hypersensitivity | 403 (89.6) | 582 (91.5) | 0.275 |
Visual alterations | 290 (64.4) | 472 (74.2) | 0.001*** |
Motor incoordination, with or without falls | 339 (75.3) | 511 (80.3) | 0.048* |
Autonomic | |||
Dizziness or cephalic instability | 356 (79.1) | 552 (86.8) | 0.001*** |
Vertigo | 322 (71.6) | 496 (78.0) | < 0.001*** |
Orthostatic hypotension | 342 (76.0) | 512 (80.5) | 0.009** |
Lipothymia | 80 (17.8) | 171 (26.9) | 0.017* |
Syncope | 48 (10.7) | 98 (15.4) | 0.015* |
Frequent palpitations | 313 (69.6) | 495 (77.8) | 0.074 |
Tremor | 171 (38.0) | 314 (49.4) | < 0.001*** |
Profuse sweating | 285 (63.3) | 451 (70.9) | 0.024* |
Altered bowel habits | 296 (65.8) | 467 (73.4) | 0.002** |
Alterations in urination | 224 (49.8) | 395 (62.1) | < 0.001*** |
Reduced libido/anorgasmia/impotence | 314 (69.8) | 489 (76.9) | 0.008** |
Difficulties in visual accommodation | 321 (71.3) | 494 (77.7) | 0.007** |
Inmunological | |||
Recurrent low-fever | 326 (72.4) | 473 (74.4) | 0.478 |
Recurrent odynophagia | 306 (68.0) | 477 (75.0) | 0.060 |
Painful lymph nodes | 236 (52.4) | 389 (61.2) | 0.061 |
Raynaud’s phenomenon | 125 (27.8) | 225 (35.4) | 0.552 |
Generalized morning numbness | 343 (76.2) | 521 (81.9) | 0.743 |
Migratory arthralgias | 376 (83.6) | 547 (86.0) | 0.996 |
Allergy to multiple medications | 95 (21.1) | 168 (26.4) | 0.011* |
Food intolerance | 41 (9.1) | 78 (12.3) | 0.004** |
Allergy to multiple metals | 51 (11.3) | 110 (17.3) | 0.008** |
History of sinusitis | 30 (6.7) | 63 (9.9) | 0.022* |
Facial swelling | 19 (4.2) | 44 (6.9) | 0.265 |
Mouth ulcers | 238 (52.9) | 348 (54.7) | 0.044* |
Herpes | 226 (50.2) | 313 (49.2) | 0.101 |
Candidiasis | 172 (38.2) | 243 (38.2) | 0.006** |