scholarly journals Deconstructing post-exertional malaise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome: A patient-centered, cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. e0197811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lily Chu ◽  
Ian J. Valencia ◽  
Donn W. Garvert ◽  
Jose G. Montoya
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

Risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic scoping review of multiple predictor studies

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (7) ◽  
pp. 915-926 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Hempel ◽  
D. Chambers ◽  
A.-M. Bagnall ◽  
C. Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

BackgroundThe aetiology of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is still unknown. The identification of risk factors for CFS/ME is of great importance to practitioners.MethodA systematic scoping review was conducted to locate studies that analysed risk factors for CFS/ME using multiple predictors. We searched for published and unpublished literature in 11 electronic databases, reference lists of retrieved articles and guideline stakeholder submissions in conjunction with the development of a forthcoming national UK guideline. Risk factors and findings were extracted in a concise tabular overview and studies synthesized narratively.ResultsEleven studies were identified that met inclusion criteria: two case-control studies, four cohort studies, three studies combining a cohort with a case-control study design, one case-control and twin study and one cross-sectional survey. The studies looked at a variety of demographic, medical, psychological, social and environmental factors to predict the development of CFS/ME. The existing body of evidence is characterized by factors that were analysed in several studies but without replication of a significant association in more than two studies, and by studies demonstrating significant associations of specific factors that were not assessed in other studies. None of the identified factors appear suitable for the timely identification of patients at risk of developing CFS/ME within clinical practice.ConclusionsVarious potential risk factors for the development of CFS/ME have been assessed but definitive evidence that appears meaningful for clinicians is lacking.

scholarly journals Evidence of Clinical Pathology Abnormalities in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) from an Analytic Cross-Sectional Study

Diagnostics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nacul ◽  
de Barros ◽  
Kingdon ◽  
Cliff ◽  
Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease presenting with extreme fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and other symptoms. In the absence of a diagnostic biomarker, ME/CFS is diagnosed clinically, although laboratory tests are routinely used to exclude alternative diagnoses. In this analytical cross-sectional study, we aimed to explore potential haematological and biochemical markers for ME/CFS, and disease severity. We reviewed laboratory test results from 272 people with ME/CFS and 136 healthy controls participating in the UK ME/CFS Biobank (UKMEB). After corrections for multiple comparisons, most results were within the normal range, but people with severe ME/CFS presented with lower median values (p < 0.001) of serum creatine kinase (CK; median = 54 U/L), compared to healthy controls (HCs; median = 101.5 U/L) and non-severe ME/CFS (median = 84 U/L). The differences in CK concentrations persisted after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, muscle mass, disease duration, and activity levels (odds ratio (OR) for being a severe case = 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.02–0.15) compared to controls, and OR = 0.16 (95% CI = 0.07–0.40), compared to mild cases). This is the first report that serum CK concentrations are markedly reduced in severe ME/CFS, and these results suggest that serum CK merits further investigation as a biomarker for severe ME/CFS.

scholarly journals Caring for the Patient with Severe or Very Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1331
Author(s):  
Jose G. Montoya ◽  
Theresa G. Dowell ◽  
Amy E. Mooney ◽  
Mary E. Dimmock ◽  
Lily Chu
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Clinical Guidance ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Patient’S Experience ◽  
Total Care

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can cause a wide range of severity and functional impairment, leaving some patients able to work while others are homebound or bedbound. The most severely ill patients may need total care. Yet, patients with severe or very severe ME/CFS struggle to receive appropriate medical care because they cannot travel to doctors’ offices and their doctors lack accurate information about the nature of this disease and how to diagnose and manage it. Recently published clinical guidance provides updated information about ME/CFS but advice on caring for the severely ill is limited. This article is intended to fill that gap. Based on published clinical guidance and clinical experience, we describe the clinical presentation of severe ME/CFS and provide patient-centered recommendations on diagnosis, assessment and approaches to treatment and management. We also provide suggestions to support the busy provider in caring for these patients by leveraging partnerships with the patient, their caregivers, and other providers and by using technology such as telemedicine. Combined with compassion, humility, and respect for the patient’s experience, such approaches can enable the primary care provider and other healthcare professionals to provide the care these patients require and deserve.

scholarly journals Prevalence and characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Poland: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e023955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Słomko ◽  
Julia L Newton ◽  
Sławomir Kujawski ◽  
Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe ◽  
Jacek Klawe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and describe illness characteristics in a community population in Poland. Design: cross-sectional study.SettingPoland.ParticipantsOf the cohort of 1400 who self-presented with fatigue only 69 subsequently were confirmed as having CFS/ME using the Fukuda criteria.Main outcome measuresParticipants completed the following screening symptom assessment tools: Chalder Fatigue Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (COMPASS 31), Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). Haemodynamic and autonomic parameters were automatically measured at rest with a Task Force Monitor.ResultsIn 1308, from 1400 (93%) individuals who identified themselves as fatigued, recognised chronic conditions were identified, for example, neurological (n=280, 21.5%), neurodegenerative (n=200, 15%), psychiatric (n=654, 50%) and immunologic (n=174, 13.5%) disorders. The remaining 69 participants (mean age 38.3±8.5) met the Fukuda defintion for CFS/ME and had baseline objective assessment. The majority had experienced symptoms for over 2 years with 37% having symptoms for 2–5 years and 21.7% for more than 10 years. The COMPASS 31 indicated that 50% have symptoms consistent with orthostatic intolerance. About 43/69 (62%) had Epworth sleepiness scores ≥10, ie, consistent with excessive daytime sleepiness, 26/69 (38%) had significant anxiety and 22/69 (32%) depression measured by HADS A & D. Quality of life is significantly impaired in those with Fukuda criteria CFS (QLS score 64±11) with significant negative relationships between quality of life and fatigue (p<0.0001), anxiety (p=0.0009), depression (p<0.0001) and autonomic symptoms (p=0.04).ConclusionThis is the first study to summarise illness characteristics of Polish CFS/ME patients. Our study has confirmed that fatigue is a common and under-recognised symptom affecting the Polish population.

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