Table 1

Patient characteristics

Variable(n/15)
Fluctuations/stability

  • Fluctuations in SS and PF

9/15

  • Stable in SS and PF

5/15

  • Fluctuations in SS, stable in PF

1/15
Symptoms
 Fatigue12/15
 Musculoskeletal pain12/15
 Headache6/15
 Gastrointestinal symptoms5/15
 Cardiopulmonary symptoms3/15
 Dizziness3/15
Mean age (years, range)55.4 years (range 32–73 years)
Gender
 Male3/15
 Female12/15
Education
 Higher educational level4/15
 Intermediate educational level4/15
 Lower educational level7/15
Living area
 Rural area5/15
 City10/15
Recruitment setting
 General practice12/15
 Specialised PPS programme3/15

  • PF, physical functioning; PPS, persistent physical symptoms; SS, symptom severity.