scholarly journals Severity of COVID-19: Causes and Consequences — From Obesity to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-416
Author(s):  
Diāna Arāja ◽  
Vita Rovīte ◽  
Modra Murovska ◽  
Anna Terentjeva ◽  
Diāna Vaidere ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Patient Survey ◽  
High Risk Group ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Complications ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract In circumstances of COVID-19 epidemiological uncertainty, the causes and consequences of the disease remain important issues. The aim of this study was to investigate obesity as a potential predisposition and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) as a possible consequence of COVID-19. The study was conducted in two parts: a theoretical part, in which a literature review was performed, and an empirical part, in which COVID-19 patient survey data were analysed. To identify the main findings regarding the relationship between obesity and COVID-19, the literature review was focused on the investigation of systematic reviews and meta-analyses by three databases — Med-line (via PubMed), Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, and PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews). The patient survey was performed to investigate the relationship between obesity and severity of the disease, as well as the presence of CFS symptoms in COVID-19 patients in Latvia. The main findings of the literature review showed that obesity increases the risk of hospitalisation, disease severity, clinical complications, poor outcomes, and mortality. The results of the patient survey showed that overweight and obesity were more critical factors for men (males) suffering with COVID-19 than for women (females) in Latvia. The patient group with obesity caused almost half of all hospitalisations. The research data assumed that CFS patients were not a high-risk group for COVID-19, but COVID-19 caused CFS-like symptoms in patients and potentially increased the number of undiagnosed patients. In the context of further epidemiological uncertainty and the possibility of severe post-viral consequences, preventive measures are becoming increasingly important.

scholarly journals Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e041947
Author(s):  
Pamela G Mckay ◽  
Helen Walker ◽  
Colin R Martin ◽  
Mick Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Symptom Experience ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM). The hypothesis predicated that there would be no significant differences between the group’s symptom experience.DesignA quasiexperimental design. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and invariance testing.ParticipantsMales (M) and females (F) >16 with a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME or FM by a general practitioner or specialist. CFS/ME (n=101, F: n=86, M: n=15, mean (M) age M=45.5 years). FM (n=107, F: n=95, M: n=12, M=47.2 years).Outcome measuresDiagnostic criteria: the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for CFS/ME and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for FM. Additional symptom questionnaires measuring: pain, sleep quality, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety and depression, locus of control and self-esteem.ResultsInvariance was confirmed with the exception of the American CDC Symptom Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (p<0.05) based on five questions. Consequently, it was erroneous to conclude differences. Therefore, the Syndrome Model was created. SEM could not have tested the ACR previously, as it comprised a single data point. Thus, it was combined with these three questionnaires, increasing the data points, to create this new measurable model. Results confirmed no significant differences between groups (p=0.07 (p<0.05)).ConclusionParticipants responded in a similar manner to the questionnaire, confirming the same symptom experience. It is important to consider this in context with differing criteria and management guidelines, as this may influence diagnosis and the trajectory of patient’s management. With the biomedical cause currently unclear, it is the symptom experience and the impact on quality of life that is important. These findings are meaningful for patients, clinicians and policy development and support the requirement for future research.

The neuroendocrinology of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1331-1345 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. R. PARKER ◽  
S. WESSELY ◽  
A. J. CLEARE
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
King's College ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Challenge Tests ◽  
Neuroendocrine Challenge ◽  
The Cochrane Collaboration ◽  
The Relationship

Background. Disturbance of the HPA axis may be important in the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia. Symptoms may be due to: (1) low circulating cortisol; (2) disturbance of central neurotransmitters; or (3) disturbance of the relationship between cortisol and central neurotransmitter function. Accumulating evidence of the complex relationship between cortisol and 5-HT function, make some form of hypothesis (3) most likely. We review the methodology and results of studies of the HPA and other neuroendocrine axes in CFS.Method. Medline, Embase and Psychlit were searched using the Cochrane Collaboration strategy. A search was also performed on the King's College CFS database, which includes over 3000 relevant references, and a citation analysis was run on the key paper (Demitrack et al. 1991).Results. One-third of the studies reporting baseline cortisol found it to be significantly low, usually in one-third of patients. Methodological differences may account for some of the varying results. More consistent is the finding of reduced HPA function, and enhanced 5-HT function on neuroendocrine challenge tests. The opioid system, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) may also be abnormal, though the growth hormone (GH) axis appears to be intact, in CFS.Conclusions. The significance of these changes, remains unclear. We have little understanding of how neuroendocrine changes relate to the experience of symptoms, and it is unclear whether these changes are primary, or secondary to behavioural changes in sleep or exercise. Longitudinal studies of populations at risk for CFS will help to resolve these issues.

scholarly journals HERV-K and HERV-W transcriptional activity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas S. Rodrigues ◽  
Luiz H. da Silva Nali ◽  
Cibele O. D. Leal ◽  
Ester C. Sabino ◽  
Eliana M. Lacerda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Human Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Increased Activity

Abstract Background Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/MS) is an incapacitating chronic disease that dramatically compromise the life quality. The CFS/ME pathogenesis is multifactorial, and it is believed that immunological, metabolic and environmental factors play a role. It is well documented an increased activity of Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) from different families in autoimmune and neurological diseases, making these elements good candidates for biomarkers or even triggers for such diseases. Methods Here the expression of Endogenous retroviruses K and W (HERV-K and HERV-W) was determined in blood from moderately and severely affected ME/CFS patients through real time PCR. Results HERV-K was overexpressed only in moderately affected individuals but HERV-W showed no difference. Conclusions This is the first report about HERV-K differential expression in moderate ME/CFS. Although the relationship between HERVs and ME/CFS has yet to be proven, the observation of this phenomenon deserves further attention.

Prevalence of ADHD in chronic fatigue syndrome

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1574-1574
Author(s):  
N. Sáez Francàs ◽  
J. Alegre ◽  
N. Calvo Piñero ◽  
J.A. Ramos Quiroga ◽  
E. Ruiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Initial Sample ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Severe Fatigue ◽  
Severe Psychopathology ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionChronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by severe fatigue associated with pain, sleep disturbance, attentional impairment and headaches. Evidence points towards a prominent role for Central Nervous System in its pathogenesis, and alterations in serotoninergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission have been described.Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) courses with inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It affects children and persists into adulthood in 50% of patients. Dopamine transporter abnormalities lead to impaired neurotransmission of catecholaminergic frontal-subcortical-cerebellar circuits.ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of ADHD in a sample of CFS patients, and the clinical implications of the association.AimsTo study the relationship between CFS and ADHD.MethodsThe initial sample consisted of 142 patients, of whom 9 were excluded because of severe psychopathology or incomplete evaluation. All the patients (age 49 ± 87; 94,7 women) received CFS diagnoses according to Fukuda criteria. ADHD was assessed with a diagnostic interview (CAADID), ADHD Rating Scale and the scale WURS, for childhood diagnose. The scales FIS-40, HAD, STAI and Pluthik Risk of Suicide (RS) were administrated.Results38 patients (28,8%) were diagnosed of childhood ADHD (4 combined, 22 hyperactive-impulsive, 12 inattentive) and persisted into adulthood in 28 (21,1%; 5 combined, 4 hyperactive-impulsive, 19 inattentive). There were no differences in Fukuda criteria profile and FIS-40 between groups. ADHD patients scored higher in HAD-Anxiety (9,88 ± 4,82 vs. 12,57 ± 3,49; p = 0,007), HAD-Depression (9,69 ± 4,84 vs. 12,04 ± 4,53; p = 0,023), STAI-E (30,55 ± 14,53 vs. 38,41 ± 11,35; p = 0,012), and RS (6,13 ± 3,48 vs. 8,49 ± 3,07; p = 0,002).ConclusionsADHD is frequent in CFS patients and it is associated with more severe clinical profile.

The Relationship Between Fatigue and Personality in a Student Population

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1357-1368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Abdel-Khalek
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Stepwise Regression ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
High Loading ◽  
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Arabic Version ◽  
Personality Questionnaire ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
The Relationship

To investigate the relationship between fatigue or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)-like symptoms and basic dimensions of personality, a sample of 466 Kuwaiti college students took part in the study (M age = 19.0 years, SD = 2.1). Participants completed the Arabic Scale of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ASCFS; Abdel-Khalek & Al-Theeb, 2006) and the Arabic version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ; Abdel-Khalek & Eysenck, 1983; Eysenck & Eysenck, 1975). The ASCFS was found to be significantly and positively correlated with neuroticism and psychoticism and negatively correlated with extraversion. Two high-loading factors were extracted from both sexes and labeled “Fatigue and neuroticism versus extraversion”, and “Psychoticism versus lie”. A multiple stepwise regression was carried out and the predictors of ASCFS were found to be neuroticism and psychoticism (positive) and extraversion (negative) among men, while in women the predictors were neuroticism and psychoticism. It was concluded that high scores on neuroticism, psychoticism, and introversion may predispose people to CFS. Clinicians treating CFS could find this result useful. It is suggested that treating neurotic symptoms may ameliorate CFS symptoms.

scholarly journals Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Childhood Revisited: Not Common, But Not Unknown- Case Study and Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Leong ◽  
Rajeev Ramachandran ◽  
Sajini Mary Varughese ◽  
Lee Gan Goh
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Persistent Fatigue ◽  
Unknown Case

Abstract Lethargy is a common non-specific complaint to primary care and has a broad range of differentials. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) should be considered when there is persistent fatigue affecting function and post- exertional malaise six months or longer and initial workup is not suggestive of other organic causes; it is a debilitating condition that would benefit from diagnosis and treatment. We present an adolescent with CFS, the disease timeline, its impact and outcome.

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