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Wheeler BB. V. Feminist and Psychological Implications of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. FEMINISM & PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/095935359222008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Britta B. Wheeler
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
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Physical, Behavioral, and Psychological Risk Factors for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1300/j092v01n02_04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Dickson A, Toft A, O'Carroll RE. Neuropsychological functioning, illness perception, mood and quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease and healthy participants. Psychol Med 2009; 39:1567-1576. [PMID: 19144216 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291708004960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study attempted to longitudinally investigate neuropsychological function, illness representations, self-esteem, mood and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and compared them with both healthy participants and a clinical comparison group of individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). METHOD Neuropsychological evaluation was administered at two time points, five weeks apart. Twenty-one individuals with CFS, 20 individuals with AITD and 21 healthy participants were matched for age, pre-morbid intelligence, education level and socio-economic status (SES). All groups also completed measures of illness perceptions, mood, self-esteem and QoL at both time points. RESULTS The CFS group showed significantly greater impairment on measures of immediate and delayed memory, attention and visuo-constructional ability, and reported significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression. After controlling for the effects of mood, the CFS group still demonstrated significant impairment in attention. The CFS group also reported significantly lower self-reported QoL than the AITD and healthy participants. In terms of illness perceptions, the AITD group believed that their condition would last longer, that they had more treatment control over their condition, and reported less concern than the CFS group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the primary cognitive impairment in CFS is attention and that this is not secondary to affective status. The lower treatment control perceptions and greater illness concerns that CFS patients report may be causally related to their affective status.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dickson
- School of Health and Social Sciences, Napier University, Edinburgh, UK.
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van Geelen SM, Sinnema G, Hermans HJM, Kuis W. Personality and chronic fatigue syndrome: Methodological and conceptual issues. Clin Psychol Rev 2007; 27:885-903. [PMID: 17350740 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2007.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2005] [Revised: 11/29/2006] [Accepted: 01/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among clinical psychologists, consulting physicians, scientific researchers and society in general an image has emerged of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as perfectionist, conscientious, hardworking, somewhat neurotic and introverted individuals with high personal standards, a great desire to be socially accepted and with a history of continuously pushing themselves past their limits. The aim of this article is to (a) give a concise review of the main recent studies on personality and CFS, (b) address the major methodological problems in the study of personality in CFS and (c) discuss some of the conceptual assumptions that seem to limit the research on personality and CFS. The results of the reviewed studies range from no evidence of major differences between the personalities of patients with CFS and controls, to evidence of severe psychopathology and personality disorder in patients with CFS. Although personality seems to play a role in CFS, it is difficult to draw general conclusions on the relation between personality and CFS. It is argued that this is partially due to the diversity and heterogeneity in study methods, patient populations, control groups and CFS case definitions. Personality should be regarded as an important factor to be studied in CFS. However, additional studies are needed, not focusing exclusively on personality disorder, or personality considered on a general trait level. In recent developments in personality research, the continually evolving life narrative that makes sense of, and gives direction to, an individual's life is also regarded as an important aspect of personality. New insights into personality and CFS might be gained by systematically studying the self-narratives of patients with the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M van Geelen
- Department of Psychology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abbey SE. Somatization, illness attribution and the sociocultural psychiatry of chronic fatigue syndrome. CIBA FOUNDATION SYMPOSIUM 2007; 173:238-52; discussion 252-61. [PMID: 8491101 DOI: 10.1002/9780470514382.ch14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In addition to epidemiological and neurobiological perspectives on the relationship between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and psychiatric disorders there has been increasing interest in the role of cognitive-behavioural, psychological, psychodynamic and social factors in the psychiatric aspects of this syndrome. These factors may be important in the initiation and/or maintenance of CFS and play important roles in the misdiagnosis of primary psychopathology as CFS. They may be important targets for intervention and treatment. This paper examines the relevance of the following issues for better understanding the relationship between CFS and the results of psychiatric studies: (1) the concepts of somatization and abnormal illness behaviour; (2) the role of patients' illness attributions; (3) psychological and psychodynamic constructs such as depressive vulnerability occurring in individuals dependent upon achievement for the maintenance of self-esteem and euthymic mood, perfectionism, and helplessness; (4) the role of personality characteristics and styles; (5) the potential iatrogenic role of the health care system in producing disability in individuals with a diagnosis of CFS; (6) the role of the media and other sociocultural forces in the patient's choice of the CFS label; and (7) the impact of the CFS label on the patient. The importance of differentiating between initiating and maintaining or perpetuating factors is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Abbey
- Department of Psychiatry, Toronto Hospital, Ontario, Canada
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Abstract
The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is described, and research on coping with this illness reviewed and analysed. CFS is a severely disabling illness of unknown etiology, which has occurred in epidemic forms all over the world. However, the number of sufferers has dramatically increased over previous years. The heterogeneous symptomatology of CFS was reviewed, and diagnostic criteria were discussed. The difficulty in establishing causality was emphasized. An interaction of factors appears most likely to be associated with illness onset and maintenance. As the mediating factor could be sufferers' coping behavior, the existing coping literature was reviewed. There might be an association between coping and physical and psychological well-being. Finally, recommendations are made for longitudinal research on coping and coping effectiveness, and for the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ax
- Liverpool John Moores University.
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Kelly KS, Soderlund K, Albert C, McGarrahan AG. Social support and chronic fatigue syndrome. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 1999; 11:21-34. [PMID: 16370968 DOI: 10.1207/s15327027hc1101_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The role of social support was examined in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Social support has been shown to affect illness outcome in medical disorders, likely due in part to communication between patient and support giver on illness-related concerns. Forty-one participants, 25 of whom had a primary support giver, completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Profile of Mood States, and the Inventory of Socially Supportive Behaviors (ISSB); the primary support giver completed a modified version of the ISSB indicating the level of support he or she provided and a questionnaire assessing beliefs about CFS. Results indicated that there were no differences among individuals with CFS with or without support on measures of mood and perceived stress. Individuals with CFS and their support givers agreed on the amount of support offered, and extent of support was independent of beliefs concerning etiology. Exploratory analyses revealed that verbal emotional-cognitive support generally was more predictive of mental health than was tangible, less communicative support. The lack of positive effect of social support is discussed in relation to the degree of support offered, and implications for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton 76203, USA
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Krilov LR, Fisher M, Friedman SB, Reitman D, Mandel FS. Course and outcome of chronic fatigue in children and adolescents. Pediatrics 1998; 102:360-6. [PMID: 9685439 DOI: 10.1542/peds.102.2.360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the epidemiology, symptoms, and psychosocial characteristics of children and adolescents evaluated in a chronic fatigue program and determine the course and outcome of the syndrome in these patients. METHODS During the summer of 1994, chart review was performed for the 58 patients evaluated between 1990 and 1994 and a telephone follow-up was conducted with 42 of the 58 families. Patients were predominantly female (71%) and white (94%), with 50% between the ages of 7 and 14 years and 50% between the ages of 15 and 21 years (mean age 14.6 years). RESULTS At time of presentation, 50% of patients had been fatigued for 1 to 6 months and 50% had been fatigued for 7 to 36 months. Sixty percent indicated the fatigue had begun with an acute illness and 60% had a history of allergies. Most commonly reported symptoms were fatigue (100%), headache (74%), sore throat (59%), abdominal pain (48%), fever (36%), and difficulties with concentration and/or memory (33%). Most patients had a worsening of school performance and a decrease in social activities. On follow-up, there was significant improvement in many patients during the summer after the first visit, with continued improvement in most patients during the second and third years. At time of the follow-up telephone call, 43% of families considered their child "cured" and 52% considered their child "improved," whereas only 5% considered their child to be "the same." Statistical analyses demonstrated no demographic or clinical factors that distinguished between those who did or did not participate in the follow-up study, or between those who did or did not do well on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that children and adolescents with chronic fatigue have a syndrome that is similar to that described in adults, but that the syndrome differs in several ways, most specifically, presentation earlier in the course of the illness and a more optimistic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- L R Krilov
- Department of Pediatrics, North Shore University Hospital, New York University School of Medicine, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA
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Abstract
In response to reports of negative cooperation between sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and their doctors, semi-structured interviews were conducted with sufferers from two different patient samples. Satisfaction with support received and with medical professionals in general was low. Sufferers complained about insufficient informational as well as emotional support from their doctors, and as a consequence most opted for alternative or complementary forms of treatment. In addition, disagreements over illness aetiology and treatment precluded effective cooperation. If satisfaction and compliance are to improve, sufferers will need more information about CFS and more support.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ax
- Birkback College, University of London, England
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Chagpar A. Chronic fatigue syndrome: a prodrome to psychosis? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 1996; 41:536-7. [PMID: 8899244 DOI: 10.1177/070674379604100818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a medically unexplained illness characterized by chronic, disabling fatigue, impaired concentration, muscle pain, and other somatic symptoms. The conceptual difficulties associated with all medically unexplained illnesses contribute to the controversy surrounding CFS, which has centered around whether it is best regarded as a medical or as a psychiatric condition. Clinically, such an approach is not helpful, and current research suggests that both pathophysiologic changes and psychosocial factors are important. Pragmatic management based on a detailed assessment of the individual is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sharpe
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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Krupp LB, Pollina D. Neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome. ADVANCES IN NEUROIMMUNOLOGY 1996; 6:155-67. [PMID: 8876771 DOI: 10.1016/0960-5428(96)00014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L B Krupp
- Department of Neurology, SUNY at Stony Brook 11794-8121, USA
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Abstract
Whilst the debilitating fatigue experienced in patients suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) results in a subjective marked impairment in functioning, little research has investigated the impact of this disorder on quality of life. Forty-seven subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS and 30 healthy controls were compared using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). A subgroup of subjects were interviewed regarding the impact CFS has had on their social and family relationships, work and recreational activities. Results from both the SIP and the interview revealed that CFS subjects had significantly impaired quality of life, especially in areas of social functioning. These findings highlight the importance of addressing the social isolation and loss of role functioning experienced by CFS sufferers.
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Abstract
The prevalence of fatigue as a presenting complaint and as a symptom is evaluated in French general practice patients. The data for a sample of 3784 persons 18-64 years-of-age who were seen by 367 general practitioners were examined for fatigue as a presenting complaint, diagnosis, and reported symptoms of persistent fatigue. Gender, age, and socio-professional category were considered as potential risk correlates. At least one of the symptoms of persistent fatigue was reported by 41.2% of the patients, but only 7.6% had presented with fatigue to the doctor. Women reported more symptoms of fatigue than men, but they were only slightly more likely to present with, or be diagnosed with fatigue; women were more frequently diagnosed with depression. There was a strong relationship between the symptoms of depression as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and fatigue, but fatigue was neither sensitive nor specific for the diagnosis of depression. Age and fatigue as a presenting complaint and diagnosis were strongly associated for men. After adjusting for sex and age, we found that lower social classes were less likely to be diagnosed as fatigued, though they were more likely to report symptoms of fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fuhrer
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM Unité 360), France
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Abstract
Observations concerning the characteristics of patients who presented to a medical clinic with a principal complaint of chronic medically unexplained fatigue (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS) are described, including the cognitions (thoughts and assumptions) elicited from a sample of these patients who were treated using cognitive behavioural therapy. On the basis of these observations a cognitive theory of the aetiology of CFS is proposed. These observations have implications for the treatment of patients with CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Surawy
- University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, England
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Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by debilitating fatigue and other somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A range of heterogeneous clinical and laboratory findings have been reported in patients with CFS. Various theories have been proposed to explain the underlying pathophysiologic processes but none has been proved. Research findings of immunologic dysfunction and neuroendocrine changes suggest the possible dysregulation of interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. Without a clear understanding of its etiopathogenesis, CFS has no definitive treatment. Management approaches have been necessarily speculative, and they have evolved separately in a number of medical and nonmedical disciplines. The results of several controlled treatment studies have been inconclusive. An accurate case definition identifying homogeneous subtypes of CFS is needed. The integration of medical and psychologic treatment modalities and the use of both biologic and psychologic markers to evaluate treatment response will enhance future treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Farrar
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Grafman J, Schwartz V, Dale JK, Scheffers M, Houser C, Straus SE. Analysis of neuropsychological functioning in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1993; 56:684-9. [PMID: 8509784 PMCID: PMC489620 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.56.6.684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Memory impairment dominates the cognitive complaints of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Twenty CFS patients were available for studies with a clinical and experimental battery composed of memory and cognitive tests. The results on objective testing indicated that the CFS patients had some mild memory impairment, but only on tasks requiring conceptually driven encoding and retrieval processes. There were no associations between the nature of the precipitating illness, self ratings of fatigue, physical findings, or laboratory determination and objective memory performance or self report of memory functioning. These generally negative results indicate that memory impairment in CFS patients is typically mild and involves memory processes that participate in conceptualising information.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Grafman
- Cognitive Neuroscience Section, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892
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Morriss R, Sharpe M, Sharpley AL, Cowen PJ, Hawton K, Morris J. Abnormalities of sleep in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ (CLINICAL RESEARCH ED.) 1993; 306:1161-4. [PMID: 8499816 PMCID: PMC1677618 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.306.6886.1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome have abnormalities of sleep which may contribute to daytime fatigue. DESIGN A case-control study of the sleep of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome and that of healthy volunteers. SETTING An infectious disease outpatient clinic and subjects' homes. SUBJECTS 12 patients who met research criteria for the chronic fatigue syndrome but not for major depressive disorder and 12 healthy controls matched for age, sex, and weight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Subjective reports of sleep from patients' diaries and measurement of sleep patterns by polysomnography. Subjects' anxiety, depression, and functional impairment were assessed by interview. RESULTS Patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome spent more time in bed than controls (544 min v 465 min, p < 0.001) but slept less efficiently (90% v 96%, p < 0.05) and spent more time awake after initially going to sleep (31.9 min v 16.6 min, p < 0.05). Seven patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome had a sleep disorder (four had difficulty maintaining sleep, one had difficulty getting to sleep, one had difficulty in both initiating and maintaining sleep, and one had hypersomnia) compared with none of the controls (p = 0.003). Those with sleep disorders showed greater functional impairment than the remaining five patients (score on general health survey 50.4% v 70.4%, p < 0.05), but their psychiatric scores were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS Most patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome had sleep disorders, which are likely to contribute to daytime fatigue. Sleep disorders may be important in the aetiology of the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Morriss
- MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Littlemore Hospital, Oxford
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Abstract
The term "chronic fatigue syndrome" (CFS) applies to a condition of unknown aetiology characterized clinically by an association of subjective symptoms, the most constant being an invalidating tiredness. The diagnostic criteria in current use do not permit to isolate an homogeneous subgroup among patients consulting for chronic asthenia. In the present state of research no infectious or immunological cause has been demonstrated conclusively, although a persistent enterovirus or herpesvirus type 6 infection or a state of chronic immune activation seem to play a role in some cases. Patients who fulfill the criteria of CFS present with psychiatric overmorbidity, essentially depressive, and in 50% of the cases with the mental disorders preceding CFS. The various theoretical models linking CFS to psychopathology are discussed, and finally the syndrome is regarded as a social construction reproducing or renovating the neurasthenia of the late 19th century. There is no specific treatment of CFS, but antidepressants, cognitive-behavioural therapy and perhaps certain immuno-modulators can be useful. The future lines of research should endeavour to isolate a subgroup of patients with prolonged asthenia after a recognized episode of infection and to identify the immunological, psychological and behavioral characteristics of this particular group as well as their reciprocal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cathébras
- Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Nord, Saint-Etienne
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Abstract
Research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has not identified a definitive cause or treatment but psychological aspects have been noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Murray
- Psychology Department, St. John's University, Jamaica, NY 11439
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