BACKGROUND Many patients with stress-related exhaustion seem to struggle with long-term recovery. The primary aim of this study was to explore residual symptoms and perceived recovery in patients previously treated for stress-related exhaustion, 7 years after seeking care. METHODS A total of 217 former patients (74% women) previously treated for exhaustion disorder were asked to participate in follow-ups 2, 3, 5, and 7 years post treatment. Symptoms of depression, and anxiety were measured with questionnaires. Remaining symptoms of extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, problems with concentration, problems with memory and reduced stress tolerance, were rated with single item questions. A subgroup of patients (n = 163) participated in a clinical assessment to confirm residual stress-related exhaustion not caused by other diseases. RESULTS Almost half of the patients previously treated for stress-related exhaustion perceive fatigue 7 years after initially seeking care, and as many as 73% reported decreased stress tolerance. The clinical assessment confirmed that a third of the patients were clinically judged as still suffering from stress-related exhaustion. Male and female patients showed similar patterns regarding residual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS One third of patients with exhaustion disorder are clinically judged to have exhaustion, 7 years after seeking care. Further studies are needed to elucidate the reason for such a long-term recovery and ultimately to identify methods for prevention.

中文翻译：

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对因压力相关性衰竭而接受治疗的患者的残留症状进行长期随访。

背景技术许多与压力有关的疲劳的患者似乎难以长期康复。这项研究的主要目的是探讨在寻求护理后7年，先前接受过压力相关性疲劳治疗的患者的残留症状和知觉恢复。方法总共217位先前接受过力竭性疾病治疗的前患者（74％为女性）被要求参加治疗后2、3、5和7年的随访。抑郁和焦虑症状通过问卷进行测量。剩下的极端疲劳，睡眠障碍，注意力不集中，记忆力下降和压力承受力下降的症状，都用单项问题进行了评分。一组患者（n = 163）参加了一项临床评估，以确认并非由其他疾病引起的残余压力相关性疲劳。结果先前接受过压力相关性疲劳治疗的患者中，有将近一半在最初寻求护理后7年感到疲劳，多达73％的患者报告了其压力耐受性下降。临床评估证实，有三分之一的患者在临床上仍被判断为患有压力相关性疲劳。男性和女性患者在残留症状方面表现出相似的模式。结论在就医后7年，三分之一的精疲力竭患者被临床判断为精疲力竭。需要进一步的研究以阐明这种长期恢复的原因，并最终确定预防方法。临床评估证实，有三分之一的患者在临床上仍被判断为患有压力相关性疲劳。男性和女性患者在残留症状方面表现出相似的模式。结论在就医后7年，三分之一的精疲力竭患者被临床判断为精疲力竭。需要进一步的研究以阐明这种长期恢复的原因，并最终确定预防方法。临床评估证实，有三分之一的患者在临床上仍被判断为患有与压力有关的疲劳。男性和女性患者在残留症状方面表现出相似的模式。结论在就医后7年，三分之一的精疲力竭患者被临床判断为精疲力竭。需要进一步的研究以阐明这种长期恢复的原因，并最终确定预防方法。