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Rabaey P, Decat P, Heytens S, Vogelaers D, Mariman A, Demeester T. Time-dependent complexity characterisation of activity patterns in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Biopsychosoc Med 2024; 18:10. [PMID: 38566157 PMCID: PMC10986074 DOI: 10.1186/s13030-024-00305-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients suffer from symptoms that cannot be explained by a single underlying biological cause. It is sometimes claimed that these symptoms are a manifestation of a disrupted autonomic nervous system. Prior works studying this claim from the complex adaptive systems perspective, have observed a lower average complexity of physical activity patterns in chronic fatigue syndrome patients compared to healthy controls. To further study the robustness of such methods, we investigate the within-patient changes in complexity of activity over time. Furthermore, we explore how these changes might be related to changes in patient functioning. METHODS We propose an extension of the allometric aggregation method, which characterises the complexity of a physiological signal by quantifying the evolution of its fractal dimension. We use it to investigate the temporal variations in within-patient complexity. To this end, physical activity patterns of 7 patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome were recorded over a period of 3 weeks. These recordings are accompanied by physicians' judgements in terms of the patients' weekly functioning. RESULTS We report significant within-patient variations in complexity over time. The obtained metrics are shown to depend on the range of timescales for which these are evaluated. We were unable to establish a consistent link between complexity and functioning on a week-by-week basis for the majority of the patients. CONCLUSIONS The considerable within-patient variations of the fractal dimension across scales and time force us to question the utility of previous studies that characterise long-term activity signals using a single static complexity metric. The complexity of a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patient's physical activity signal does not suffice to characterise their high-level functioning over time and has limited potential as an objective monitoring metric by itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Rabaey
- IDLab, Department of Information Technology, Ghent University - imec, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Peter Decat
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Heytens
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk Vogelaers
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of General Internal Medicine, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - An Mariman
- Center of Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas Demeester
- IDLab, Department of Information Technology, Ghent University - imec, Ghent, Belgium
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Theoharides TC, Twahir A, Kempuraj D. Mast cells in the autonomic nervous system and potential role in disorders with dysautonomia and neuroinflammation. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2024; 132:440-454. [PMID: 37951572 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Mast cells (MC) are ubiquitous in the body, and they are critical for not only in allergic diseases but also in immunity and inflammation, including having potential involvement in the pathophysiology of dysautonomias and neuroinflammatory disorders. MC are located perivascularly close to nerve endings and sites such as the carotid bodies, heart, hypothalamus, the pineal gland, and the adrenal gland that would allow them not only to regulate but also to be affected by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). MC are stimulated not only by allergens but also many other triggers including some from the ANS that can affect MC release of neurosensitizing, proinflammatory, and vasoactive mediators. Hence, MC may be able to regulate homeostatic functions that seem to be dysfunctional in many conditions, such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, and Long-COVID syndrome. The evidence indicates that there is a possible association between these conditions and diseases associated with MC activation. There is no effective treatment for any form of these conditions other than minimizing symptoms. Given the many ways MC could be activated and the numerous mediators released, it would be important to develop ways to inhibit stimulation of MC and the release of ANS-relevant mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theoharis C Theoharides
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Assma Twahir
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
| | - Duraisamy Kempuraj
- Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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3
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Fonseca A, Szysz M, Ly HT, Cordeiro C, Sepúlveda N. IgG Antibody Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Their Effective Potential for Disease Diagnosis and Pathological Antigenic Mimicry. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2024; 60:161. [PMID: 38256421 PMCID: PMC10820613 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The diagnosis and pathology of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remain under debate. However, there is a growing body of evidence for an autoimmune component in ME/CFS caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and other viral infections. Materials and Methods: In this work, we analyzed a large public dataset on the IgG antibodies to 3054 EBV peptides to understand whether these immune responses could help diagnose patients and trigger pathological autoimmunity; we used healthy controls (HCs) as a comparator cohort. Subsequently, we aimed at predicting the disease status of the study participants using a super learner algorithm targeting an accuracy of 85% when splitting data into train and test datasets. Results: When we compared the data of all ME/CFS patients or the data of a subgroup of those patients with non-infectious or unknown disease triggers to the data of the HC, we could not find an antibody-based classifier that would meet the desired accuracy in the test dataset. However, we could identify a 26-antibody classifier that could distinguish ME/CFS patients with an infectious disease trigger from the HCs with 100% and 90% accuracies in the train and test sets, respectively. We finally performed a bioinformatic analysis of the EBV peptides associated with these 26 antibodies. We found no correlation between the importance metric of the selected antibodies in the classifier and the maximal sequence homology between human proteins and each EBV peptide recognized by these antibodies. Conclusions: In conclusion, these 26 antibodies against EBV have an effective potential for disease diagnosis in a subset of patients. However, the peptides associated with these antibodies are less likely to induce autoimmune B-cell responses that could explain the pathogenesis of ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Fonseca
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.F.); (C.C.)
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mateusz Szysz
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Hoang Thien Ly
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal; (A.F.); (C.C.)
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL—Centre of Statistics and its Applications, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculty of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-662 Warsaw, Poland; (M.S.); (H.T.L.)
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4
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Maciuch J, Jason LA. Alcohol intolerance and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. World J Neurol 2023; 9:17-27. [DOI: 10.5316/wjn.v9.i3.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The literature is mixed about the occurrence of alcohol intolerance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Surveys that asked respondents with ME/CFS whether they experienced alcohol intolerance within a recent time frame might produce inaccurate results because respondents may indicate that the symptom was not present if they avoid alcohol due to alcohol intolerance.
AIM To overcome this methodologic problem, participants in the current study were asked whether they have avoided alcohol in the past 6 mo, and if they had, how severe their alcohol intolerance would be if they were to drink alcohol.
METHODS The instrument used was a validated scale called the DePaul symptom questionnaire. Independent t-tests were performed among the alcohol intolerant or not alcohol intolerant group. The alcohol intolerant group had 208 participants, and the not alcohol intolerant group had 96 participants.
RESULTS Using specially designed questions to properly identify those with alcohol intolerance, those who experienced alcohol intolerance vs those who did not experience alcohol intolerance experienced more frequent/severe symptoms and domains. In addition, using a multiple regression analysis, the orthostatic intolerance symptom domain was related to alcohol intolerance.
CONCLUSION The findings from the current study indicated that those with ME/CFS are more likely to experience alcohol intolerance. In addition, those with this symptom have more overall symptoms than those without alcohol intolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Maciuch
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
| | - Leonard A Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
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Gurney L, Chung V, MacPhee M, Chan E, Snyman C, Robinson J, Bertoli-Haley S, Baron E. Exploring the Impact of Storytelling for Hospitalized Patients Recovering from COVID-19. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11040589. [PMID: 36833123 PMCID: PMC9957174 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11040589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There are mental and physical deficits associated with COVID-19 infection, particularly among individuals requiring hospitalization. Storytelling is a relational intervention that has been used to help patients make sense of their illness experiences and to share their experiences with others, including other patients, families and healthcare providers. Relational interventions strive to create positive, healing stories versus negative ones. In one urban acute care hospital, an initiative called the Patient Stories Project (PSP) uses storytelling as a relational intervention to promote patient healing, including the development of healthier relationships among themselves, with families and with healthcare providers. This qualitative study employed a series of interview questions that were collaboratively developed with patient partners and COVID-19 survivors. The questions asked consenting COVID-19 survivors about why they chose to tell their stories and to flesh out more about their recovery process. Thematic analyses of six participant interviews resulted in the identification of key themes along a COVID-19 recovery pathway. Patients' stories revealed how survivors progress from being overwhelmed by their symptoms to making sense of what is happening to them, providing feedback to their care providers, feeling gratitude for care received, becoming aware of a new state of normal, regaining control of their lives, and ultimately discovering meaning and an important lesson behind their illness experience. Our study's findings suggest that the PSP storytelling approach holds potential as a relational intervention to support COVID-19 survivors along a recovery journey. This study also adds knowledge about survivors beyond the first few months of recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Gurney
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Vincci Chung
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Maura MacPhee
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (M.M.)
| | - Evelyn Chan
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Claire Snyman
- Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Jelmini JD, Ross J, Whitehurst LN, Heebner NR. The effect of extended shift work on autonomic function in occupational settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Occup Health 2023; 65:e12409. [PMID: 37287085 PMCID: PMC10247865 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of 24-h shift work on autonomic nervous system function via heart rate variability (HRV) methodologies. METHODS Electronic databases (indexed in either PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, or OpenDissertations) were searched from January 1964 to March 2023. A modified Downs and Black checklist was used for assessing methodological quality and the Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to evaluate the quality of evidence. Study design, study population, study sample, shift work description, and assessment of HRV metrics and methods were extracted from each study. FINDINGS A total of 58 478 study articles were identified, of which 12 articles met inclusion criteria. Sample sizes varied from eight to 60 participants, with the ratio of low- to high-frequency HRV (LF/HF) as the most common frequency-domain variable reported. Of the nine included studies that observed LF/HF, three (33.3%) demonstrated a significant increase after 24-h shift work. Moreover, of the five studies that reported HF, two (40%) noted a significant decrease after 24-h shift work. When observing risk of bias, two (16.6%) studies were low quality, five (41.7%) were moderate quality, and five (41.7%) were high quality. INTERPRETATION There were inconsistent findings demonstrating an effect of 24-h shift work on autonomic function, with a suggested shift away from parasympathetic dominance. Discrepancies in HRV methodologies, such as the duration of recordings and hardware used for measurement, may have contributed to the disparity in findings. In addition, differences in roles and responsibilities across occupations may explain the incongruence in findings across studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D. Jelmini
- College of Health Sciences, Sports Medicine Research InstituteUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | - Jeremy Ross
- College of Health Sciences, Sports Medicine Research InstituteUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
| | | | - Nicholas R. Heebner
- College of Health Sciences, Sports Medicine Research InstituteUniversity of KentuckyLexingtonKentuckyUSA
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7
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Tsilioni I, Natelson B, Theoharides TC. Exosome-associated mitochondrial DNA from patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome stimulates human microglia to release IL-1β. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5784-5794. [PMID: 36153118 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease that presents with fatigue, sleep disturbances, malaise, and cognitive problems. The pathogenesis of ME/CFS is presently unknown, and serum levels of potential biomarkers have been inconsistent. Here, we show that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) associated with serum exosomes, is increased in ME/CFS patients only after exercise. Moreover, exosomes isolated from patients with ME/CFS stimulate significant release of IL-1β from cultured human microglia. These results provide evidence that activation of microglia by serum-derived exosomes may serve as a potential novel pathogenetic factor and target for treatment of ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Tsilioni
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Natelson
- Pain and Fatigue Study Center, Department of Neurology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.,School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Program in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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8
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Tziastoudi M, Cholevas C, Stefanidis I, Theoharides TC. Genetics of COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2022; 9:1838-1857. [PMID: 36204816 PMCID: PMC9639636 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID‐19 and ME/CFS present with some similar symptoms, especially physical and mental fatigue. In order to understand the basis of these similarities and the possibility of underlying common genetic components, we performed a systematic review of all published genetic association and cohort studies regarding COVID‐19 and ME/CFS and extracted the genes along with the genetic variants investigated. We then performed gene ontology and pathway analysis of those genes that gave significant results in the individual studies to yield functional annotations of the studied genes using protein analysis through evolutionary relationships (PANTHER) VERSION 17.0 software. Finally, we identified the common genetic components of these two conditions. Seventy‐one studies for COVID‐19 and 26 studies for ME/CFS were included in the systematic review in which the expression of 97 genes for COVID‐19 and 429 genes for ME/CFS were significantly affected. We found that ACE, HLA‐A, HLA‐C, HLA‐DQA1, HLA‐DRB1, and TYK2 are the common genes that gave significant results. The findings of the pathway analysis highlight the contribution of inflammation mediated by chemokine and cytokine signaling pathways, and the T cell activation and Toll receptor signaling pathways. Protein class analysis revealed the contribution of defense/immunity proteins, as well as protein‐modifying enzymes. Our results suggest that the pathogenesis of both syndromes could involve some immune dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Tziastoudi
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Christos Cholevas
- First Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Stefanidis
- Department of Nephrology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Institute of Neuro-Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Clearwater, FL, USA.,Laboratory of Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery, Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Departments of Internal Medicine and Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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9
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Sepúlveda N, Malato J, Sotzny F, Grabowska AD, Fonseca A, Cordeiro C, Graça L, Biecek P, Behrends U, Mautner J, Westermeier F, Lacerda EM, Scheibenbogen C. Revisiting IgG Antibody Reactivity to Epstein-Barr Virus in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Its Potential Application to Disease Diagnosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:921101. [PMID: 35814774 PMCID: PMC9263839 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.921101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are often at the disease onset of patients suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). However, serological analyses of these infections remain inconclusive when comparing patients with healthy controls (HCs). In particular, it is unclear if certain EBV-derived antigens eliciting antibody responses have a biomarker potential for disease diagnosis. With this purpose, we re-analyzed a previously published microarray data on the IgG antibody responses against 3,054 EBV-related antigens in 92 patients with ME/CFS and 50 HCs. This re-analysis consisted of constructing different regression models for binary outcomes with the ability to classify patients and HCs. In these models, we tested for a possible interaction of different antibodies with age and gender. When analyzing the whole data set, there were no antibody responses that could distinguish patients from healthy controls. A similar finding was obtained when comparing patients with non-infectious or unknown disease trigger with healthy controls. However, when data analysis was restricted to the comparison between HCs and patients with a putative infection at their disease onset, we could identify stronger antibody responses against two candidate antigens (EBNA4_0529 and EBNA6_0070). Using antibody responses to these two antigens together with age and gender, the final classification model had an estimated sensitivity and specificity of 0.833 and 0.720, respectively. This reliable case-control discrimination suggested the use of the antibody levels related to these candidate viral epitopes as biomarkers for disease diagnosis in this subgroup of patients. To confirm this finding, a follow-up study will be conducted in a separate cohort of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Sepúlveda
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sepúlveda
| | - João Malato
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - André Fonseca
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Clara Cordeiro
- CEAUL – Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Luís Graça
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Przemyslaw Biecek
- Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Uta Behrends
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Childrens' Hospital, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Josef Mautner
- Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Childrens' Hospital, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Department of Health Studies, Institute of Biomedical Science, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute of Medical Immunology, Berlin, Germany
- Carmen Scheibenbogen
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Calabria M, García-Sánchez C, Grunden N, Pons C, Arroyo JA, Gómez-Anson B, Estévez García MDC, Belvís R, Morollón N, Vera Igual J, Mur I, Pomar V, Domingo P. Post-COVID-19 fatigue: the contribution of cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. J Neurol 2022; 269:3990-3999. [PMID: 35488918 PMCID: PMC9055007 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11141-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Fatigue in its many forms of physical, mental, and psychosocial exhaustion is a common symptom of post-COVID-19 condition, also known as "Long COVID." Persistent fatigue in COVID-19 patients is frequently accompanied by cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric symptoms; however, less is known about the relationships between these components of post-COVID-19 condition and fatigue itself. Consequently, the present study sought to (1) distinguish the types of fatigue experienced by participants, and (2) investigate whether cognitive deficits across various domains and neuropsychiatric conditions predicted these different types of fatigue. The study included 136 COVID-19 patients referred for neuropsychological evaluation due to cognitive complaints 8 months on average after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Measures included self-reported fatigue (physical, cognitive, and psychosocial), neuropsychiatric questionnaires (assessing symptoms of depression, anxiety, apathy, and executive functioning), a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, and self-reported quality of life and everyday functioning. Results showed that reports of clinical significant fatigue were pervasive in our sample (82.3% of participants), with physical fatigue rated highest on average relative to the subscale maximum. Elevated levels of apathy, anxiety, and executive dysfunction in neuropsychiatric measures along with executive and attentional difficulties on cognitive tests were found to be consistently important predictors among different types of fatigue. This implicates both cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms as predictors of fatigue in post-COVID-19 condition, and stresses the importance of a holistic approach in assessing and considering potential treatment for COVID-19 patients experiencing fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Calabria
- Cognitive NeuroLab, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carmen García-Sánchez
- Neuropsychology Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicholas Grunden
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Centre for Research On Brain, Language & Music, Montreal, Canada
| | - Catalina Pons
- Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i l'Esport, Blanquerna, Universitat Ramon Llull, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Arroyo
- Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Gómez-Anson
- Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autonoma Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Roberto Belvís
- Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noemí Morollón
- Headache Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Vera Igual
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Mur
- Infectious Disease Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Virginia Pomar
- Infectious Disease Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Domingo
- Infectious Disease Unit, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Westermeier F, Lacerda EM, Scheibenbogen C, Sepúlveda N. Editorial: Current Insights Into Complex Post-infection Fatigue Syndromes With Unknown Aetiology: The Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Beyond. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:862953. [PMID: 35280890 PMCID: PMC8907997 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.862953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Shanbehzadeh S, Tavahomi M, Zanjari N, Ebrahimi-Takamjani I, Amiri-arimi S. Physical and mental health complications post-COVID-19: Scoping review. J Psychosom Res 2021; 147:110525. [PMID: 34051516 PMCID: PMC8133797 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Several long-lasting health complications have been reported in previous coronavirus infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review studies that evaluated physical and mental health problems post-COVID-19. METHODS Articles for inclusion in this scoping review were identified by searching the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases for items dated from 1 January to 7 November 2020. Observational studies evaluating physical health (musculoskeletal symptoms, functional status) or mental health status with a follow-up period longer than 1 month after discharge or after the onset of symptoms were included. RESULTS This scoping review included 34 studies with follow-up periods of up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The most commonly reported physical health problems were fatigue (range 28% to 87%), pain (myalgia 4.5% to 36%), arthralgia (6.0% to 27%), reduced physical capacity (six-minute walking test range 180 to 561 m), and declines in physical role functioning, usual care and daily activities (reduced in 15% to 54% of patients). Common mental health problems were anxiety (range 6.5% to 63%), depression (4% to 31%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (12.1% to 46.9%). Greater fatigue, pain, anxiety and depression were reported in female patients and individuals admitted to intensive care. An overall lower quality of life was seen up to 3 months post-COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS This review highlights the presence of several physical and mental health problems up to 3 months post-COVID-19. The findings point to the need for comprehensive evaluation and rehabilitation post-COVID-19 to promote quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Shanbehzadeh
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Tavahomi
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Nasibeh Zanjari
- Iranian Research Center on Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ismail Ebrahimi-Takamjani
- Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Amiri-arimi
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Rusin A, Li M, Cocchetto A, Seymour C, Mothersill C. Radiation exposure and mitochondrial insufficiency in chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. Med Hypotheses 2021; 154:110647. [PMID: 34358921 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is a heterogeneous disease that may be promoted by various environmental stressors, including viral infection, toxin uptake, and ionizing radiation exposure. Previous studies have identified mitochondrial dysfunction in CFIDS patients, including modulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, deletions in the mitochondrial genome, and upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This paper focuses on radiation effects and hypothesizes that CFIDS is primarily caused by stressor-induced mitochondrial metabolic insufficiency, which results in decreased energy production and anabolic metabolites required for normal cellular metabolism. Furthermore, tissues neighbouring or distant from directly perturbed tissues compensate for this dysfunction, which causes symptoms associated with CFIDS. This hypothesis is justified by reviewing the links between radiation exposure and CFIDS, cancer, immune dysfunction, and induction of oxidative stress. Moreover, the relevance of mitochondria in cellular responses to radiation and metabolism are discussed and putative mitochondrial biomarkers for CFIDS are introduced. Implications for diagnosis are then described, including a potential urine assay and PCR test for mitochondrial genome mutations. Finally, future research needs are offered with an emphasis on where rapid progress may be made to assist the afflicted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrej Rusin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada.
| | - Megan Li
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Alan Cocchetto
- National CFIDS Foundation Inc., 103 Aletha Road, Needham, MA USA
| | - Colin Seymour
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
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14
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Domingues TD, Grabowska AD, Lee JS, Ameijeiras-Alonso J, Westermeier F, Scheibenbogen C, Cliff JM, Nacul L, Lacerda EM, Mouriño H, Sepúlveda N. Herpesviruses Serology Distinguishes Different Subgroups of Patients From the United Kingdom Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Biobank. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:686736. [PMID: 34291062 PMCID: PMC8287507 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.686736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The evidence of an association between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and chronic herpesviruses infections remains inconclusive. Two reasons for the lack of consistent evidence are the large heterogeneity of the patients' population with different disease triggers and the use of arbitrary cutoffs for defining seropositivity. In this work we re-analyzed previously published serological data related to 7 herpesvirus antigens. Patients with ME/CFS were subdivided into four subgroups related to the disease triggers: S0-42 patients who did not know their disease trigger; S1-43 patients who reported a non-infection trigger; S2-93 patients who reported an infection trigger, but that infection was not confirmed by a lab test; and S3-48 patients who reported an infection trigger and that infection was confirmed by a lab test. In accordance with a sensitivity analysis, the data were compared to those from 99 healthy controls allowing the seropositivity cutoffs to vary within a wide range of possible values. We found a negative association between S1 and seropositivity to Epstein-Barr virus (VCA and EBNA1 antigens) and Varicella-Zoster virus using specific seropositivity cutoff. However, this association was not significant when controlling for multiple testing. We also found that S3 had a lower seroprevalence to the human cytomegalovirus when compared to healthy controls for all cutoffs used for seropositivity and after adjusting for multiple testing using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. However, this association did not reach statistical significance when using Benjamini-Yekutieli procedure. In summary, herpesviruses serology could distinguish subgroups of ME/CFS patients according to their disease trigger, but this finding could be eventually affected by the problem of multiple testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Dias Domingues
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- CEAUL–Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Anna D. Grabowska
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology, and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ji-Sook Lee
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jose Ameijeiras-Alonso
- Department of Statistics, Mathematical Analysis and Optimization, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Francisco Westermeier
- Institute of Biomedical Science, Department of Health Studies, FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacqueline M. Cliff
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luis Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Complex Chronic Diseases Program, British Columbia Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Helena Mouriño
- Departamento de Estatística e Investigação Operacional, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- CMAFcIO–Center of Mathematics, Fundamental Applications and Operations Research, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- CEAUL–Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Elements of Suffering in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Experience of Loss, Grief, Stigma, and Trauma in the Severely and Very Severely Affected. HEALTHCARE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 9:healthcare9050553. [PMID: 34065069 PMCID: PMC8150911 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9050553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
People who are severely and very severely affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) experience profound suffering. This suffering comes from the myriad of losses these patients experience, the grief that comes from these losses, the ongoing stigma that is often experienced as a person with a poorly understood, controversial chronic illness, and the trauma that can result from how other people and the health care community respond to this illness. This review article examines the suffering of patients with ME/CFS through the lens of the Fennell Four-Phase Model of chronic illness. Using a systems approach, this phase framework illustrates the effects of suffering on the patient and can be utilized to help the clinician, patient, family, and caregivers understand and respond to the patient's experiences. We highlight the constructs of severity, uncertainty, ambiguity, and chronicity and their role in the suffering endured by patients with ME/CFS. A composite case example is used to illustrate the lives of severely and very severely affected patients. Recommendations for health care providers treating patients with ME/CFS are given and underscore the importance of providers understanding the intense suffering that the severely and very severely affected patients experience.
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16
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Shikova E, Reshkova V, Kumanova А, Raleva S, Alexandrova D, Capo N, Murovska M, on behalf of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE). Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. J Med Virol 2020; 92:3682-3688. [PMID: 32129496 PMCID: PMC7687071 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.25744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling multisystem chronic disease. The etiology and pathogenesis of ME/CFS are unknown. Infections of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) are suspected as etiological agents for ME/CFS. This study aims to estimate prevalence and type (active/latent) of EBV, CMV, and HHV-6 infections in Bulgarian ME/CFS patients. In the study were included 58 patients with ME/CFS and 50 healthy controls. Virus-specific antibodies were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and viral genomic sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) and plasma samples by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We did not observe any significant differences in virus-specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M positivity rates between patients with ME/CFS and control group. In ME/CFS plasma samples, EBV DNA was found in 24.1%, CMV DNA in 3.4%, and HHV-6 DNA in 1.7% of samples. EBV DNA was detected in 4%, and CMV and HHV-6 DNA were not found in plasma samples of controls. The frequency of viral genome detection in PBMCs of patients and controls was 74% vs 78% for CMV, 81% vs 84% for EBV, and 82.8% vs 82% for HHV-6. The difference in frequency of EBV active infection in ME/CFS and control group was statistically significant (P = .0027). No ME/CFS and control individuals with active CMV and HHV-6 infection were observed. In conclusion, this study using both serological and PCR-based techniques for distinguishing between active and latent infection showed high rate of active EBV infection among patients with ME/CFS indicating that at least in a subset of cases, EBV is important factor for the development of disease.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/virology
- Female
- Male
- Adult
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 6, Human/isolation & purification
- Middle Aged
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/epidemiology
- Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/immunology
- Herpesvirus 4, Human/isolation & purification
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/virology
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/complications
- Cytomegalovirus Infections/epidemiology
- DNA, Viral/blood
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Cytomegalovirus/genetics
- Cytomegalovirus/immunology
- Cytomegalovirus/isolation & purification
- Young Adult
- Leukocytes, Mononuclear/virology
- Roseolovirus Infections/virology
- Roseolovirus Infections/epidemiology
- Roseolovirus Infections/complications
- Prevalence
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Immunoglobulin G/blood
- Immunoglobulin M/blood
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Adolescent
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelina Shikova
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
- The National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Haematological DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | | | - Аntoniya Kumanova
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Sevdalina Raleva
- Department of VirologyNational Center of Infectious and Parasitic DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Dora Alexandrova
- The National Specialized Hospital for Active Treatment in Haematological DiseasesSofiaBulgaria
| | - Natasa Capo
- Oncology Institute of VojvodinaSremska KamenicaSerbia
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Novi SadNovi SadSerbia
| | - Modra Murovska
- Institute of Microbiology and VirologyRiga Stradins UniversityRigaLatvia
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17
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Nacul L, O'Boyle S, Palla L, Nacul FE, Mudie K, Kingdon CC, Cliff JM, Clark TG, Dockrell HM, Lacerda EM. How Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Progresses: The Natural History of ME/CFS. Front Neurol 2020; 11:826. [PMID: 32849252 PMCID: PMC7431524 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a framework for understanding and interpreting the pathophysiology of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) that considers wider determinants of health and long-term temporal variation in pathophysiological features and disease phenotype throughout the natural history of the disease. As in other chronic diseases, ME/CFS evolves through different stages, from asymptomatic predisposition, progressing to a prodromal stage, and then to symptomatic disease. Disease incidence depends on genetic makeup and environment factors, the exposure to singular or repeated insults, and the nature of the host response. In people who develop ME/CFS, normal homeostatic processes in response to adverse insults may be replaced by aberrant responses leading to dysfunctional states. Thus, the predominantly neuro-immune manifestations, underlined by a hyper-metabolic state, that characterize early disease, may be followed by various processes leading to multi-systemic abnormalities and related symptoms. This abnormal state and the effects of a range of mediators such as products of oxidative and nitrosamine stress, may lead to progressive cell and metabolic dysfunction culminating in a hypometabolic state with low energy production. These processes do not seem to happen uniformly; although a spiraling of progressive inter-related and self-sustaining abnormalities may ensue, reversion to states of milder abnormalities is possible if the host is able to restate responses to improve homeostatic equilibrium. With time variation in disease presentation, no single ME/CFS case description, set of diagnostic criteria, or molecular feature is currently representative of all patients at different disease stages. While acknowledging its limitations due to the incomplete research evidence, we suggest the proposed framework may support future research design and health care interventions for people with ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- B.C. Women's Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Shennae O'Boyle
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Luigi Palla
- Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Global Health, School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Flavio E. Nacul
- Pro-Cardiaco Hospital and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Kathleen Mudie
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline C. Kingdon
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jacqueline M. Cliff
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Taane G. Clark
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel M. Dockrell
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eliana M. Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Słomko J, Estévez-López F, Kujawski S, Zawadka-Kunikowska M, Tafil-Klawe M, Klawe JJ, Morten KJ, Szrajda J, Murovska M, Newton JL, Zalewski P. Autonomic Phenotypes in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Are Associated with Illness Severity: A Cluster Analysis. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9082531. [PMID: 32764516 PMCID: PMC7464864 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9082531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we set out to define the characteristics of autonomic subgroups of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The study included 131 patients with CFS (Fukuda criteria). Participants completed the following screening symptom assessment tools: Chalder Fatigue Scale, Fatigue Impact Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scales, the self-reported Composite Autonomic Symptom Scale. Autonomic parameters were measured at rest with a Task Force Monitor (CNS Systems) and arterial stiffness using an Arteriograph (TensioMed Kft.). Principal axis factor analysis yielded four factors: fatigue, subjective and objective autonomic dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Using cluster analyses, these factors were grouped in four autonomic profiles: 34% of patients had sympathetic symptoms with dysautonomia, 5% sympathetic alone, 21% parasympathetic and 40% had issues with sympathovagal balance. Those with a sympathetic-dysautonomia phenotype were associated with more severe disease, reported greater subjective autonomic symptoms with sympathetic over-modulation and had the lowest quality of life. The highest quality of life was observed in the balance subtype where subjects were the youngest, had lower levels of fatigue and the lowest values for arterial stiffness. Future studies will aim to design autonomic profile-specific treatment interventions to determine links between autonomic phenotypes CFS and a specific treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Słomko
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-52-585-36-16
| | - Fernando Estévez-López
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040 Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Sławomir Kujawski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
- Department of Human Physiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Jacek J. Klawe
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Karl J. Morten
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, The Women Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Justyna Szrajda
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Modra Murovska
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Julia L. Newton
- Population Health Science Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Paweł Zalewski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (S.K.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (J.S.); (P.Z.)
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19
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Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: From pathophysiological insights to novel therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacol Res 2019; 148:104450. [PMID: 31509764 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common and disabling condition with a paucity of effective and evidence-based therapies, reflecting a major unmet need. Cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise are of modest benefit for only some ME/CFS patients, and many sufferers report aggravation of symptoms of fatigue with exercise. The presence of a multiplicity of pathophysiological abnormalities in at least the subgroup of people with ME/CFS diagnosed with the current international consensus "Fukuda" criteria, points to numerous potential therapeutic targets. Such abnormalities include extensive data showing that at least a subgroup has a pro-inflammatory state, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, disruption of gut mucosal barriers and mitochondrial dysfunction together with dysregulated bioenergetics. In this paper, these pathways are summarised, and data regarding promising therapeutic options that target these pathways are highlighted; they include coenzyme Q10, melatonin, curcumin, molecular hydrogen and N-acetylcysteine. These data are promising yet preliminary, suggesting hopeful avenues to address this major unmet burden of illness.
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20
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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9030091. [PMID: 31394725 PMCID: PMC6787585 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9030091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown aetiology that is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) as a disorder of the brain. The disease predominantly affects adults, with a peak age of onset of between 20 and 45 years with a female to male ratio of 3:1. Although the clinical features of the disease have been well established within diagnostic criteria, the diagnosis of ME/CFS is still of exclusion, meaning that other medical conditions must be ruled out. The pathophysiological mechanisms are unclear but the neuro-immuno-endocrinological pattern of CFS patients gleaned from various studies indicates that these three pillars may be the key point to understand the complexity of the disease. At the moment, there are no specific pharmacological therapies to treat the disease, but several studies' aims and therapeutic approaches have been described in order to benefit patients' prognosis, symptomatology relief, and the recovery of pre-existing function. This review presents a pathophysiological approach to understanding the essential concepts of ME/CFS, with an emphasis on the population, clinical, and genetic concepts associated with ME/CFS.
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21
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Missailidis D, Annesley SJ, Fisher PR. Pathological Mechanisms Underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:E80. [PMID: 31330791 PMCID: PMC6787592 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The underlying molecular basis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is not well understood. Characterized by chronic, unexplained fatigue, a disabling payback following exertion ("post-exertional malaise"), and variably presenting multi-system symptoms, ME/CFS is a complex disease, which demands a concerted biomedical investigation from disparate fields of expertise. ME/CFS research and patient treatment have been challenged by the lack of diagnostic biomarkers and finding these is a prominent direction of current work. Despite these challenges, modern research demonstrates a tangible biomedical basis for the disorder across many body systems. This evidence is mostly comprised of disturbances to immunological and inflammatory pathways, autonomic and neurological dysfunction, abnormalities in muscle and mitochondrial function, shifts in metabolism, and gut physiology or gut microbiota disturbances. It is possible that these threads are together entangled as parts of an underlying molecular pathology reflecting a far-reaching homeostatic shift. Due to the variability of non-overlapping symptom presentation or precipitating events, such as infection or other bodily stresses, the initiation of body-wide pathological cascades with similar outcomes stemming from different causes may be implicated in the condition. Patient stratification to account for this heterogeneity is therefore one important consideration during exploration of potential diagnostic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Missailidis
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Sarah J Annesley
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Paul R Fisher
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, VIC 3086, Australia.
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A nanoelectronics-blood-based diagnostic biomarker for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:10250-10257. [PMID: 31036648 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1901274116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is not currently a well-established, if any, biological test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The molecular aberrations observed in numerous studies of ME/CFS blood cells offer the opportunity to develop a diagnostic assay from blood samples. Here we developed a nanoelectronics assay designed as an ultrasensitive assay capable of directly measuring biomolecular interactions in real time, at low cost, and in a multiplex format. To pursue the goal of developing a reliable biomarker for ME/CFS and to demonstrate the utility of our platform for point-of-care diagnostics, we validated the array by testing patients with moderate to severe ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. The ME/CFS samples' response to the hyperosmotic stressor observed as a unique characteristic of the impedance pattern and dramatically different from the response observed among the control samples. We believe the observed robust impedance modulation difference of the samples in response to hyperosmotic stress can potentially provide us with a unique indicator of ME/CFS. Moreover, using supervised machine learning algorithms, we developed a classifier for ME/CFS patients capable of identifying new patients, required for a robust diagnostic tool.
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23
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Martín-Martínez E, Martín-Martínez M. Varied Presentation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Needs for Classification and Clinician Education: A Case Series. Clin Ther 2019; 41:619-624. [PMID: 30948154 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2019.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, heterogeneous and serious disease. In this article, we analyze the cases of 3 patients with ME/CFS. Due to the disbeliefs, misconceptions, and stigmas that are attached to ME/CFS, patient diagnosis is made after years of disease progression. Over this period, physicians tried to determine the etiology of the disease, taking into account its onset and symptoms. The suspected conditions correlated with possible subgroups that researchers speculate may exist in ME/CFS. Therefore, a registry of well-selected data on clinical history could help to cluster patients into more homogenous groups, and could be beneficial for research.
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Associations between clinical symptoms, plasma norepinephrine and deregulated immune gene networks in subgroups of adolescent with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 76:82-96. [PMID: 30419269 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is one of the most important causes of disability among adolescents while limited knowledge exists on genetic determinants underlying disease pathophysiology. METHODS We analyzed deregulated immune-gene modules using Pathifier software on whole blood gene expression data (29 CFS patients, 18 controls). Deconvolution of immune cell subtypes based on gene expression profile was performed using CIBERSORT. Supervised consensus clustering on pathway deregulation score (PDS) was used to define CFS subgroups. Associations between PDS and immune, neuroendocrine/autonomic and clinical markers were examined. The impact of plasma norepinephrine level on clinical markers over time was assessed in a larger cohort (91 patients). RESULTS A group of 29 immune-gene sets was shown to differ patients from controls and detect subgroups within CFS. Group 1P (high PDS, low norepinephrine, low naïve CD4+ composition) had strong association with levels of serum C-reactive protein and Transforming Growth Factor-beta. Group 2P (low PDS, high norepinephrine, high naïve CD4+ composition) had strong associations with neuroendocrine/autonomic markers. The corresponding plasma norepinephrine level delineated 91 patients into two subgroups with significant differences in fatigue score. CONCLUSION We identified 29 immune-gene sets linked to plasma norepinephrine level that could delineate CFS subgroups. Plasma norepinephrine stratification revealed that lower levels of norepinephrine were associated with higher fatigue. Our data suggests potential involvement of neuro-immune dysregulation and genetic stratification in CFS.
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25
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Kerr JR. Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Gene-2 Upregulation Identifies a Particular Subtype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:59. [PMID: 30918887 PMCID: PMC6424879 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a chronic multisystem disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, and exhibits various features of an autoimmune-like disease. Subtypes are well recognized but to date are difficult to identify objectively. The disease may be triggered by infection with a variety of micro-organisms, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A subset of CFS/ME patients exhibit up regulation of EBV virus induced gene 2 (EBI2) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and these patients appear to have a more severe disease phenotype and lower levels of EBNA1 IgG. EBI2 is induced by EBV infection and has been found to be upregulated in a variety of autoimmune diseases. EBI2 is a critical gene in immunity and central nervous system function; it is a negative regulator of the innate immune response in monocytes. Its heterogeneous expression in CFS/ME could explain the variable occurrence of a variety of immune and neurological abnormalities which are encountered in patients with CFS/ME. The EBI2 subtype occurred in 38-55% CFS/ME patients in our studies. Further work is required to confirm the role of EBV and of EBI2 and its oxysterol ligands in CFS/ME, and to identify the most practical means to identify patients of the EBI subtype. There are two EBI2 antagonists currently in development, and these may hold promise in the treatment of CFS/ME patients of the EBI subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan R Kerr
- Department of Microbiology, West Suffolk Hospital Foundation Trust, Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom
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26
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Huber KA, Sunnquist M, Jason LA. Latent class analysis of a heterogeneous international sample of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. FATIGUE-BIOMEDICINE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 6:163-178. [PMID: 31435490 DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2018.1494530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) routinely display differences in symptomatology, as well as illness course, onset, duration, and functional disability. Given such diversity, previous work has attempted to identify symptom-based ME/CFS subtypes. However, results have been inconsistent. Purpose This study sought to elucidate potential subtypes of ME/CFS as well as explore the impact of subtype membership on health functioning. Methods Twelve non-core (i.e., less frequently endorsed) symptoms were included in a latent class analysis of 1,210 adults with ME/CFS. Demographic and illness-related predictors of class membership were evaluated with a multinomial logistic regression. ANOVAs were then performed to determine if there were significant differences across class on the eight subscales of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results A six-class solution was selected, which consisted of one class that was likely to endorse all non-core symptoms, one class that was unlikely to endorse any non-core symptoms, and four classes that were likely to endorse either one or two non-core symptom domains (i.e., circulatory/neuroendocrine impairment, orthostatic intolerance, and gastro-intestinal distress). Significant functioning differences by class were present for all SF-36 subscales. Conclusions These results are suggestive of subtypes of ME/CFS and, if replicated, may assist physicians in providing tailored treatment to patients and allow researchers to form more homogeneous samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A Huber
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 990 W. Fullerton Ave. Suite 3101, Chicago, IL 60614, ;,Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 990 W. Fullerton Ave. Suite 3101, Chicago, IL 60614,
| | - Madison Sunnquist
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 990 W. Fullerton Ave. Suite 3101, Chicago, IL 60614,
| | - Leonard A Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 990 W. Fullerton Ave. Suite 3101, Chicago, IL 60614,
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27
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Katz BZ, Collin SM, Murphy G, Moss-Morris R, Wyller VB, Wensaas KA, Hautvast JLA, Bleeker-Rovers CP, Vollmer-Conna U, Buchwald D, Taylor R, Little P, Crawley E, White PD, Lloyd A. The International Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI). FATIGUE-BIOMEDICINE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 6:106-121. [PMID: 30666281 DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2018.1426086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background The purpose of the Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI) is for investigators of post-infection fatigue (PIF) and other syndromes to collaborate on these enigmatic and poorly understood conditions by studying relatively homogeneous populations with known infectious triggers. Utilizing COFFI, pooled data and stored biosamples will support both epidemiological and laboratory research to better understand the etiology and risk factors for development and progression of PIF. Methods COFFI consists of prospective cohorts from the UK, Netherlands, Norway, USA, New Zealand and Australia, with some cohorts closed and some open to recruitment. The 9 cohorts closed to recruitment total over 3,000 participants, including nearly 1000 with infectious mononucleosis (IM), > 500 with Q fever, > 800 with giardiasis, > 600 with campylobacter gastroenteritis (CG), 190 with Legionnaires disease and 60 with Ross River virus. Follow-ups have been at least 6 months and up to 10 years. All studies use the Fukuda criteria for defining chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Results Preliminary analyses indicated that risk factors for non-recovery from PIF included lower physical fitness, female gender, severity of the acute sickness response, and autonomic dysfunction. Conclusions COFFI (https://internationalcoffi.wordpress.com/) is an international collaboration which should be able to answer questions based on pooled data that are not answerable in the individual cohorts. Possible questions may include the following: Do different infectious triggers different PIF syndromes (e.g., CFS vs. irritable bowel syndrome)?; What are longitudinal predictors of PIF and its severity?
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Z Katz
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Simon M Collin
- Centre for Child & Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | | | - Rona Moss-Morris
- Health Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jeannine L A Hautvast
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, NL
| | - Chantal P Bleeker-Rovers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, NL
| | - Ute Vollmer-Conna
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dedra Buchwald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, USA
| | - Renée Taylor
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care and Population Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- Primary Care and Population Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Peter D White
- Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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28
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Stubhaug B, Lier HO, Aßmus J, Rongve A, Kvale G. A 4-Day Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Program for CFS/ME. An Open Study, With 1-Year Follow-Up. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:720. [PMID: 30618889 PMCID: PMC6306445 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy (CFS/ME) is an incapacitating illness in which single treatment interventions seem to have variable effects. Based on an earlier study we have conducted a new study with a concentrated intervention program. The aims of this study were to: (1) explore the clinical course for patients with CFS/ME who participated in a treatment program delivered during four consecutive days, and (2) evaluate their satisfaction with this program. Methods: 305 patients diagnosed with CFS/ME (Oxford criteria), recruited from a clinical population referred to a specialist outpatient clinic, participated in an open uncontrolled study of the clinical course through 1 year. The study group participated in a 4-day group intervention program, comprised by education, cognitive group therapy sessions, mindfulness sessions, physical activity and writing sessions, within a context of cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment model. Assessments were done by self-reports prior to the first consultation, 1 week before and 1 week after the intervention program, and at 3 months and 1 year after the intervention. SPSS 23 and R 3.3 were used for statistical analyses. The associations between case definitions and the outcome measures (Chalder Fatigue Scale (FS), Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical functioning scale) were assessed by a linear mixed effects model (LME). Results: Results showed statistically significant clinical changes for 80% of the patients after the intervention, changes being sustained through 1 year after the program. For both Fatigue Scale (FS) and the SF-36 there were statistically significant effects of time from baseline to all time points with a statistically significant drop in scores, applying the linear mixed effects model. A subgroup fulfilling the inclusion criteria from the PACE study (Chalder Fatigue Scale >6/11, SF-36 Physical functioning <65/100) showed clinically significant improvement through 1 year, changes in outcome measures were statistically significant (p < 0.001). None of the patients included in the program dropped out, and a great majority of patients expressed high satisfaction with the content, focus and amount of treatment. Conclusion: Clinical changes observed from pre-treatment to 1 year follow-up could represent effects of the 4-day concentrated intervention program, and should be further explored in a controlled study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarte Stubhaug
- Department of Research and Innovation, Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine (K1), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Haldis O Lier
- Department of Research and Innovation, Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Jörg Aßmus
- Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arvid Rongve
- Department of Research and Innovation, Fonna Hospital Trust, Haugesund, Norway.,Department of Clinical Medicine (K1), Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gerd Kvale
- Department of Mental Health, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,OCD-team, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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29
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de Vega WC, McGowan PO. The epigenetic landscape of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: deciphering complex phenotypes. Epigenomics 2017; 9:1337-1340. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred C de Vega
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Patrick O McGowan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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30
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Mechanisms Explaining Muscle Fatigue and Muscle Pain in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): a Review of Recent Findings. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2017; 19:1. [PMID: 28116577 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-017-0628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Here, we review potential causes of muscle dysfunction seen in many patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) such as the effects of oxidative and nitrosative stress (O&NS) and mitochondrial impairments together with reduced heat shock protein production and a range of metabolic abnormalities. RECENT FINDINGS Several studies published in the last few years have highlighted the existence of chronic O&NS, inflammation, impaired mitochondrial function and reduced heat shock protein production in many patients with ME/CFS. These studies have also highlighted the detrimental effects of chronically elevated O&NS on muscle functions such as reducing the time to muscle fatigue during exercise and impairing muscle contractility. Mechanisms have also been revealed by which chronic O&NS and or impaired heat shock production may impair muscle repair following exercise and indeed the adaptive responses in the striated muscle to acute and chronic increases in physical activity. The presence of chronic O&NS, low-grade inflammation and impaired heat shock protein production may well explain the objective findings of increased muscle fatigue, impaired contractility and multiple dimensions of exercise intolerance in many patients with ME/CFS.
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31
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A Comparison of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis, Major Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis): is There a Common Cause? Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:3592-3609. [PMID: 28516431 PMCID: PMC5842501 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0598-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
There is copious evidence of abnormalities in resting-state functional network connectivity states, grey and white matter pathology and impaired cerebral perfusion in patients afforded a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, major depression or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Systemic inflammation may well be a major element explaining such findings. Inter-patient and inter-illness variations in neuroimaging findings may arise at least in part from regional genetic, epigenetic and environmental variations in the functions of microglia and astrocytes. Regional differences in neuronal resistance to oxidative and inflammatory insults and in the performance of antioxidant defences in the central nervous system may also play a role. Importantly, replicated experimental findings suggest that the use of high-resolution SPECT imaging may have the capacity to differentiate patients afforded a diagnosis of CFS from those with a diagnosis of depression. Further research involving this form of neuroimaging appears warranted in an attempt to overcome the problem of aetiologically heterogeneous cohorts which probably explain conflicting findings produced by investigative teams active in this field. However, the ionising radiation and relative lack of sensitivity involved probably preclude its use as a routine diagnostic tool.
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32
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Castro-Marrero J, Sáez-Francàs N, Santillo D, Alegre J. Treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: all roads lead to Rome. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:345-369. [PMID: 28052319 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review explores the current evidence on benefits and harms of therapeutic interventions in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and makes recommendations. CFS/ME is a complex, multi-system, chronic medical condition whose pathophysiology remains unknown. No established diagnostic tests exist nor are any FDA-approved drugs available for treatment. Because of the range of symptoms of CFS/ME, treatment approaches vary widely. Studies undertaken have heterogeneous designs and are limited by sample size, length of follow-up, applicability and methodological quality. The use of rintatolimod and rituximab as well as counselling, behavioural and rehabilitation therapy programs may be of benefit for CFS/ME, but the evidence of their effectiveness is still limited. Similarly, adaptive pacing appears to offer some benefits, but the results are debatable: so is the use of nutritional supplements, which may be of value to CFS/ME patients with biochemically proven deficiencies. To summarize, the recommended treatment strategies should include proper administration of nutritional supplements in CFS/ME patients with demonstrated deficiencies and personalized pacing programs to relieve symptoms and improve performance of daily activities, but a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation is required to confirm these preliminary observations. At present, no firm conclusions can be drawn because the few RCTs undertaken to date have been small-scale, with a high risk of bias, and have used different case definitions. Further, RCTs are now urgently needed with rigorous experimental designs and appropriate data analysis, focusing particularly on the comparison of outcomes measures according to clinical presentation, patient characteristics, case criteria and degree of disability (i.e. severely ill ME cases or bedridden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Castro-Marrero
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Dafna Santillo
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Alegre
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Miller RR, Uyaguari-Diaz M, McCabe MN, Montoya V, Gardy JL, Parker S, Steiner T, Hsiao W, Nesbitt MJ, Tang P, Patrick DM. Metagenomic Investigation of Plasma in Individuals with ME/CFS Highlights the Importance of Technical Controls to Elucidate Contamination and Batch Effects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165691. [PMID: 27806082 PMCID: PMC5091812 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating disease causing indefinite fatigue. ME/CFS has long been hypothesised to have an infectious cause; however, no specific infectious agent has been identified. We used metagenomics to analyse the RNA from plasma samples from 25 individuals with ME/CFS and compare their microbial content to technical controls as well as three control groups: individuals with alternatively diagnosed chronic Lyme syndrome (N = 13), systemic lupus erythematosus (N = 11), and healthy controls (N = 25). We found that the majority of sequencing reads were removed during host subtraction, thus there was very low microbial RNA content in the plasma. The effects of sample batching and contamination during sample processing proved to outweigh the effects of study group on microbial RNA content, as the few differences in bacterial or viral RNA abundance we did observe between study groups were most likely caused by contamination and batch effects. Our results highlight the importance of including negative controls in all metagenomic analyses, since there was considerable overlap between bacterial content identified in study samples and control samples. For example, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteriodes were found in both study samples and plasma-free negative controls. Many of the taxonomic groups we saw in our plasma-free negative control samples have previously been associated with diseases, including ME/CFS, demonstrating how incorrect conclusions may arise if controls are not used and batch effects not accounted for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth R. Miller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Miguel Uyaguari-Diaz
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mark N. McCabe
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Vincent Montoya
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jennifer L. Gardy
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shoshana Parker
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Theodore Steiner
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - William Hsiao
- British Columbia Public Health Microbiology and Reference Laboratory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Patrick Tang
- Department of Pathology, Sidra Medical and Research Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - David M. Patrick
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Clark JE, Fai Ng W, Watson S, Newton JL. The aetiopathogenesis of fatigue: unpredictable, complex and persistent. Br Med Bull 2016; 117:139-48. [PMID: 26872857 PMCID: PMC4782751 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldv057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome is a common condition characterized by severe fatigue with post-exertional malaise, impaired cognitive ability, poor sleep quality, muscle pain, multi-joint pain, tender lymph nodes, sore throat or headache. Its defining symptom, fatigue is common to several diseases. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Research has established a broad picture of impairment across autonomic, endocrine and inflammatory systems though progress seems to have reached an impasse. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY The absence of a clear consensus view of the pathophysiology of fatigue suggests the need to switch from a focus on abnormalities in one system to an experimental and clinical approach which integrates findings across multiple systems and their constituent parts and to consider multiple environmental factors. GROWING POINTS We discuss this with reference to three key factors, non-determinism, non-reductionism and self-organization and suggest that an approach based on these principles may afford a coherent explanatory framework for much of the observed phenomena in fatigue and offers promising avenues for future research. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH By adopting this approach, the field can examine issues regarding aetiopathogenesis and treatment, with relevance for future research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Clark
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - W Fai Ng
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Clinical Academic Office, 3rd Floor, William Leech Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Stuart Watson
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Julia L Newton
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Clinical Academic Office, 3rd Floor, William Leech Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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35
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Collin SM, Nikolaus S, Heron J, Knoop H, White PD, Crawley E. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptom-based phenotypes in two clinical cohorts of adult patients in the UK and The Netherlands. J Psychosom Res 2016; 81:14-23. [PMID: 26800634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies have provided evidence of heterogeneity within chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), but few have used data from large cohorts of CFS patients or replication samples. METHODS 29 UK secondary-care CFS services recorded the presence/absence of 12 CFS-related symptoms; 8 of these symptoms were recorded by a Dutch tertiary service. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to assign symptom profiles (phenotypes). Regression models were fitted with phenotype as outcome (in relation to age, sex, BMI, duration of illness) and exposure (in relation to comorbidities and patient-reported measures). RESULTS Data were available for 7041 UK and 1392 Dutch patients. Almost all patients in both cohorts presented with post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction and disturbed/unrefreshing sleep, and these 3 symptoms were excluded from LCA. In UK patients, six phenotypes emerged: 'full' polysymptomatic (median 8, IQR 7-9 symptoms) 32.8%; 'pain-only' (muscle/joint) 20.3%; 'sore throat/painful lymph node' 4.5%; and 'oligosymptomatic' (median 1, IQR 0-2 symptoms) 4.7%. Two 'partial' polysymptomatic phenotypes were similar to the 'full' phenotype, bar absence of dizziness/nausea/palpitations (21.4%) or sore throat/painful lymph nodes (16.3%). Women and patients with longer duration of illness were more likely to be polysymptomatic. Polysymptomatic patients had more severe illness and more comorbidities. LCA restricted to 5 symptoms recorded in both cohorts indicated 3 classes (polysymptomatic, oligosymptomatic, pain-only), which were replicated in Dutch data. CONCLUSIONS Adults with CFS may have one of 6 symptom-based phenotypes associated with sex, duration and severity of illness, and comorbidity. Future research needs to determine whether phenotypes predict treatment outcomes, and require different treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon M Collin
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK.
| | - Stephanie Nikolaus
- Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jon Heron
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
| | - Hans Knoop
- Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter D White
- Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol BS8 2BN, UK
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Fatigue in adults with post-infectious fatigue syndrome: a qualitative content analysis. BMC Nurs 2015; 14:64. [PMID: 26617466 PMCID: PMC4662830 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-015-0115-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fatigue is a major problem among individuals with post-infectious fatigue syndrome (PIFS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. It is a complex phenomenon that varies across illnesses. From a nursing perspective, knowledge and understanding of fatigue in this illness is limited. Nurses lack confidence in caring for these patients and devalue their professional role. The aim of this study was to explore in-depth the experiences of fatigue among individuals with PIFS. A detailed description of the phenomenon of fatigue is presented. Increased knowledge would likely contribute to more confident nurses and improved nursing care. Methods A qualitative study with open interviews was employed. In-depth interviews with patients were fully transcribed and underwent a qualitative content analysis. A maximum variation sample of 26 affected adults between 26–59 years old was recruited from a population diagnosed at a fatigue outpatient clinic. Results The fatigue was a post-exertional, multidimensional, fluctuating phenomenon with varying degrees of severity and several distinct characteristics and was accompanied by concomitant symptoms. Fatigue was perceived to be an all-pervasive complex experience that substantially reduced the ability to function personally or professionally. A range of trigger mechanisms evoked or worsened the fatigue, but the affected were not always aware of what triggered it. There was an excessive increase in fatigue in response to even minor activities. An increase in fatigue resulted in the exacerbation of other concomitant symptoms. The term fatigue does not capture the participants’ experiences, which are accompanied by a considerable symptom burden that contributes to the illness experience and the severe disability. Conclusions Although some aspects of the fatigue experience have been reported previously, more were added in our study, such as the dimension of awakening fatigue and the characteristic beyond time, when time passes unnoticed. We also identified trigger mechanisms such as emotional, neurological, social, financial, and pressure on oneself or from others. This in-depth exploration of fatigue in PIFS provides an overview of the dimensions, characteristics, and trigger mechanisms of fatigue, thus making better clinical observations, early recognition, improved communication with patients and more appropriate nursing interventions possible.
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Landi A, Broadhurst D, Vernon SD, Tyrrell DLJ, Houghton M. Reductions in circulating levels of IL-16, IL-7 and VEGF-A in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Cytokine 2015; 78:27-36. [PMID: 26615570 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2015.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Recently, differences in the levels of various chemokines and cytokines were reported in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as compared with controls. Moreover, the analyte profile differed between chronic ME/CFS patients of long duration versus patients with disease of less than 3years. In the current study, we measured the plasma levels of 34 cytokines, chemokines and growth factors in 100 chronic ME/CFS patients of long duration and in 79 gender and age-matched controls. We observed highly significant reductions in the concentration of circulating interleukin (IL)-16, IL-7, and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) in ME/CFS patients. All three biomarkers were significantly correlated in a multivariate cluster analysis. In addition, we identified significant reductions in the concentrations of fractalkine (CX3CL1) and monokine-induced-by-IFN-γ (MIG; CXCL9) along with increases in the concentrations of eotaxin 2 (CCL24) in ME/CFS patients. Our data recapitulates previous data from another USA ME/CFS cohort in which circulating levels of IL-7 were reduced. Also, a reduced level of VEGF-A was reported previously in sera of patients with Gulf War Illness as well as in cerebral spinal fluid samples from a different cohort of USA ME/CFS patients. To our knowledge, we are the first to test for levels of IL-16 in ME/CFS patients. In combination with previous data, our work suggests that the clustered reduction of IL-7, IL-16 and VEGF-A may have physiological relevance to ME/CFS disease. This profile is ME/CFS-specific since measurement of the same analytes present in chronic infectious and autoimmune liver diseases, where persistent fatigue is also a major symptom, failed to demonstrate the same changes. Further studies of other ME/CFS and overlapping disease cohorts are warranted in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolamir Landi
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Canada.
| | - David Broadhurst
- Department of Medicine, Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy & Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Suzanne D Vernon
- Bateman Horne Center, 1002 E. South Temple, Suite 408, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
| | - D Lorne J Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Canada
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Canada.
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Sternberg Z. Genetic, Epigenetic, and Environmental Factors Influencing Neurovisceral Integration of Cardiovascular Modulation: Focus on Multiple Sclerosis. Neuromolecular Med 2015; 18:16-36. [PMID: 26502224 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-015-8375-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Thought to be an autoimmune inflammatory CNS disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) involves multiple pathologies with heterogeneous clinical presentations. An impaired neurovisceral integration of cardiovascular modulation, indicated by sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, is among common MS clinical presentations. ANS dysfunction could not only enhance MS inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, but can also lead to clinical symptoms such as depression, fatigue, sleep disorder, migraine, osteoporosis, and cerebral hemodynamic impairments. Therefore, factors influencing ANS functional activities, in one way or another, will have a significant impact on MS disease course. This review describes the genetic and epigenetic factors, and their interactions with a number of environmental factors contributing to the neurovisceral integration of cardiovascular modulation, with a focus on MS. Future studies should investigate the improvement in cardiovascular ANS function, as a strategy for preventing and minimizing MS-related morbidities, and improving patients' quality of life.
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Hardcastle SL, Brenu EW, Johnston S, Nguyen T, Huth T, Wong N, Ramos S, Staines D, Marshall-Gradisnik S. Characterisation of cell functions and receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). BMC Immunol 2015; 16:35. [PMID: 26032326 PMCID: PMC4450981 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-015-0101-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal immune function is often an underlying component of illness pathophysiology and symptom presentation. Functional and phenotypic immune-related alterations may play a role in the obscure pathomechanism of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The objective of this study was to investigate the functional ability of innate and adaptive immune cells in moderate and severe CFS/ME patients. The 1994 Fukuda criteria for CFS/ME were used to define CFS/ME patients. CFS/ME participants were grouped based on illness severity with 15 moderately affected (moderate) and 12 severely affected (severe) CFS/ME patients who were age and sex matched with 18 healthy controls. Flow cytometric protocols were used for immunological analysis of dendritic cells, monocytes and neutrophil function as well as measures of lytic proteins and T, natural killer (NK) and B cell receptors. RESULTS CFS/ME patients exhibited alterations in NK receptors and adhesion markers and receptors on CD4(+)T and CD8(+)T cells. Moderate CFS/ME patients had increased CD8(+) CD45RA effector memory T cells, SLAM expression on NK cells, KIR2DL5(+) on CD4(+)T cells and BTLA4(+) on CD4(+)T central memory cells. Moderate CFS/ME patients also had reduced CD8(+)T central memory LFA-1, total CD8(+)T KLRG1, naïve CD4(+)T KLRG1 and CD56(dim)CD16(-) NK cell CD2(+) and CD18(+)CD2(+). Severe CFS/ME patients had increased CD18(+)CD11c(-) in the CD56(dim)CD16(-) NK cell phenotype and reduced NKp46 in CD56(bright)CD16(dim) NK cells. CONCLUSIONS This research accentuated the presence of immunological abnormalities in CFS/ME and highlighted the importance of assessing functional parameters of both innate and adaptive immune systems in the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharni Lee Hardcastle
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Ekua Weba Brenu
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Samantha Johnston
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Thao Nguyen
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Teilah Huth
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Naomi Wong
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Sandra Ramos
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Donald Staines
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
- National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.
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McManimen SL, Jason LA, Williams YJ. Variability in Symptoms Complicates Utility of Case Definitions. FATIGUE-BIOMEDICINE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 3:164-172. [PMID: 27088057 DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2015.1041336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ambiguities in case definitions have created difficulties in replicating findings and estimating the prevalence rates for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). PURPOSE The current study examined differences in occurrence rates for CFS and ME cardinal symptoms (i.e. post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and neurocognitive deficits). RESULTS Findings indicated that there is a wide range of occurrence rates on critical symptoms of the case definition, suggesting that either the types of patients recruited differ in various settings or the questions assessing core symptoms vary in their wording or criteria among different researchers. CONCLUSIONS The polythetic nature of the case definition may contribute to the wide ranges of symptom occurrence that was found. In order to increase assessed reliability of the symptoms and case definitions, there is a need to better standardize data collection methods and operationalization of symptoms. This solution would reduce the heterogeneity often seen in populations of CFS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonard A Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL USA
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Hardcastle SL, Brenu EW, Johnston S, Staines D, Marshall-Gradisnik S. Severity Scales for Use in Primary Health Care to Assess Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. Health Care Women Int 2014; 37:671-86. [PMID: 25315708 DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2014.962139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a physical and cognitive disabling illness, characterized by severe fatigue and a range of physiological symptoms, that primarily affects women. The immense variation in clinical presentation suggests differences in severity based on symptomology and physical and cognitive functional capacities. In this article, we examine a number of severity scales used in assessing severity of patients with CFS/ME and the clinical aspects of CFS/ME severity subgroups. The use of severity scales may be important in CFS/ME because it permits the establishment of subgroups that may improve accuracy in both clinical and research settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharni Lee Hardcastle
- a National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre , School of Medical Science, Griffith University , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia
| | - Ekua Weba Brenu
- a National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre , School of Medical Science, Griffith University , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia
| | - Samantha Johnston
- a National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre , School of Medical Science, Griffith University , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia
| | - Donald Staines
- b National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre, School of Medical Science , Griffith University; and Queensland Health, Gold Coast Public Health Unit , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia
| | - Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
- a National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases, Griffith Health Centre , School of Medical Science, Griffith University , Gold Coast , Queensland , Australia
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Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a poorly understood condition that presents as long-term physical and mental fatigue with associated symptoms of pain and sensitivity across a broad range of systems in the body. The poor understanding of the disorder comes from the varying clinical diagnostic definitions as well as the broad array of body systems from which its symptoms present. Studies on metabolism and CFS suggest irregularities in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, hormone metabolism, and oxidative stress metabolism. The overwhelming body of evidence suggests an oxidative environment with the minimal utilization of mitochondria for efficient energy production. This is coupled with a reduced excretion of amino acids and nitrogen in general. Metabolomics is a developing field that studies metabolism within a living system under varying conditions of stimuli. Through its development, there has been the optimisation of techniques to do large-scale hypothesis-generating untargeted studies as well as hypothesis-testing targeted studies. These techniques are introduced and show an important future direction for research into complex illnesses such as CFS.
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Vasiadi M, Newman J, Theoharides TC. Isoflavones inhibit poly(I:C)-induced serum, brain, and skin inflammatory mediators - relevance to chronic fatigue syndrome. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:168. [PMID: 25359293 PMCID: PMC4236420 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-014-0168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a neuroimmunoendocrine disease affecting about 1% of the US population, mostly women. It is characterized by debilitating fatigue for six or more months in the absence of cancer or other systemic diseases. Many CFS patients also have fibromyalgia and skin hypersensitivity that worsen with stress. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and neurotensin (NT), secreted under stress, activate mast cells (MC) necessary for allergic reactions to release inflammatory mediators that could contribute to CFS symptoms. Objective To investigate the effect of isoflavones on the action of polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), with or without swim stress, on mouse locomotor activity and inflammatory mediator expression, as well as on human MC activation. Methods Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: (a) control/no-swim, (b) control/swim, (c) polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))/no swim, and (d) polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))/swim. Mice were provided with chow low or high in isoflavones for 2 weeks prior to ip injection with 20 mg/kg poly(I:C) followed or not by swim stress for 15 minutes. Locomotor activity was monitored overnight and animals were sacrificed the following day. Brain and skin gene expression, as well as serum levels, of inflammatory mediators were measured. Data were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test. Results Poly(I:C)-treated mice had decreased locomotor activity over 24 hours, and increased serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, KC (IL-8/CXCL8 murine homolog), CCL2,3,4,5, CXCL10, as well as brain and skin gene expression of TNF, IL-6, KC (Cxcl1, IL8 murine homolog), CCL2, CCL4, CCL5 and CXCL10. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and NT expression were also increased, but only in the skin, over the same period. High isoflavone diet reversed these effects. Conclusion Poly(I:C) treatment decreased mouse locomotor activity and increased serum levels and brain and skin gene expression of inflammatory mediators. These effects were inhibited by isoflavones that may prove useful in CFS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-014-0168-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalini Vasiadi
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. .,Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jennifer Newman
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Theoharis C Theoharides
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Molecular Immunopharmacology and Drug Discovery Laboratory, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02111, USA. .,Graduate Program in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
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van Leeuwen N, Bossema ER, Knoop H, Kruize AA, Bootsma H, Bijlsma JWJ, Geenen R. Psychological profiles in patients with Sjogren's syndrome related to fatigue: a cluster analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2014; 54:776-83. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keu387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Shimosako N, Kerr JR. Use of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to distinguish gene expression subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). J Clin Pathol 2014; 67:1078-83. [PMID: 25240059 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
AIMS We have reported gene expression changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and the fact that such gene expression data can be used to identify subtypes of CFS/ME with distinct clinical phenotypes. Due to the difficulties in using a comparative gene expression method as an aid to CFS/ME disease and subtype-specific diagnosis, we have attempted to develop such a method based on single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. METHODS To identify SNP allele associations with CFS/ME and CFS/ME subtypes, we tested genomic DNA of patients with CFS/ME (n=108), patients with endogenous depression (n=17) and normal blood donors (n=68) for 504 human SNP alleles located within 88 CFS-associated human genes using the SNP Genotyping GoldenGate Assay (Illumina, San Diego, California, USA). 360 ancestry informative markers (AIM) were also examined. RESULTS 21 SNPs were significantly associated with CFS/ME compared with depression and normal groups. 148 SNP alleles had a significant association with one or more CFS/ME subtypes. For each subtype, associated SNPs tended to be grouped together within particular genes. AIM SNPs indicated that 4 subjects were of Asian origin while the remainder were Caucasian. Hierarchical clustering of AIM data revealed the relatedness between 2 couples of patients with CFS only and confirmed the overall heterogeneity of all subjects. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence that human SNPs located within CFS/ME associated genes are associated with particular genomic subtypes of CFS/ME. Further work is required to develop this into a clinically useful subtype-specific diagnostic test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana Shimosako
- CFS Group, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan R Kerr
- CFS Group, Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, St George's University of London, London, UK Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogota, Colombia
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de Vega WC, Vernon SD, McGowan PO. DNA methylation modifications associated with chronic fatigue syndrome. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104757. [PMID: 25111603 PMCID: PMC4128721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a complex multifactorial disease that is characterized by the persistent presence of fatigue and other particular symptoms for a minimum of 6 months. Symptoms fail to dissipate after sufficient rest and have major effects on the daily functioning of CFS sufferers. CFS is a multi-system disease with a heterogeneous patient population showing a wide variety of functional disabilities and its biological basis remains poorly understood. Stable alterations in gene function in the immune system have been reported in several studies of CFS. Epigenetic modifications have been implicated in long-term effects on gene function, however, to our knowledge, genome-wide epigenetic modifications associated with CFS have not been explored. We examined the DNA methylome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from CFS patients and healthy controls using the Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array, controlling for invariant probes and probes overlapping polymorphic sequences. Gene ontology (GO) and network analysis of differentially methylated genes was performed to determine potential biological pathways showing changes in DNA methylation in CFS. We found an increased abundance of differentially methylated genes related to the immune response, cellular metabolism, and kinase activity. Genes associated with immune cell regulation, the largest coordinated enrichment of differentially methylated pathways, showed hypomethylation within promoters and other gene regulatory elements in CFS. These data are consistent with evidence of multisystem dysregulation in CFS and implicate the involvement of DNA modifications in CFS pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfred C. de Vega
- Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne D. Vernon
- CFIDS Association of America, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Patrick O. McGowan
- Centre for Environmental Epigenetics and Development, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Creed FH, Tomenson B, Chew-Graham C, Macfarlane GJ, Davies I, Jackson J, Littlewood A, McBeth J. Multiple somatic symptoms predict impaired health status in functional somatic syndromes. Int J Behav Med 2014; 20:194-205. [PMID: 22932928 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-012-9257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between functional somatic syndromes and multiple somatic symptoms is unclear. PURPOSE We assessed whether the number of somatic symptoms is a predictor of health status in three functional somatic syndromes (FSS). METHODS In a population-based study of 990 UK adults we assessed chronic widespread pain (CWP), chronic fatigue (CF) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by questionnaire and medical record data. We assessed health status (Short Form 12 and EQ-5D), number of somatic symptoms (Somatic Symptom Inventory) and anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) both at baseline and at follow-up 1 year later. RESULTS The proportion of people with an FSS who also have multiple somatic symptoms (52-55 %) was similar in the three functional syndromes. The presence of multiple somatic symptoms was associated with more impaired health status both at baseline and at follow-up. This finding was not explained by severity of FSS. In the absence of multiple somatic symptoms, the health status of the FSS was fair or good. In multiple regression analysis, the number of somatic symptoms, the presence of a functional syndrome (CWP or CF) and anxiety/depression were predictors of EQ-5D thermometer at follow-up after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Multiple somatic symptoms in people with an FSS are associated with impaired health status and this cannot be explained by more severe functional syndrome or the presence of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- F H Creed
- School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
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Powell DJH, Liossi C, Moss-Morris R, Schlotz W. Unstimulated cortisol secretory activity in everyday life and its relationship with fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and subset meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2013; 38:2405-22. [PMID: 23916911 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2013] [Revised: 07/04/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a psychoneuroendocrine regulator of the stress response and immune system, and dysfunctions have been associated with outcomes in several physical health conditions. Its end product, cortisol, is relevant to fatigue due to its role in energy metabolism. The systematic review examined the relationship between different markers of unstimulated salivary cortisol activity in everyday life in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fatigue assessed in other clinical and general populations. Search terms for the review related to salivary cortisol assessments, everyday life contexts, and fatigue. All eligible studies (n=19) were reviewed narratively in terms of associations between fatigue and assessed cortisol markers, including the cortisol awakening response (CAR), circadian profile (CP) output, and diurnal cortisol slope (DCS). Subset meta-analyses were conducted of case-control CFS studies examining group differences in three cortisol outcomes: CAR output; CAR increase; and CP output. Meta-analyses revealed an attenuation of the CAR increase within CFS compared to controls (d=-.34) but no statistically significant differences between groups for other markers. In the narrative review, total cortisol output (CAR or CP) was rarely associated with fatigue in any population; CAR increase and DCS were most relevant. Outcomes reflecting within-day change in cortisol levels (CAR increase; DCS) may be the most relevant to fatigue experience, and future research in this area should report at least one such marker. Results should be considered with caution due to heterogeneity in one meta-analysis and the small number of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J H Powell
- Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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Miller RR, Gardy JL, Tang P, Patrick DM. A metagenomic approach to investigate the microbial causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: moving beyond XMRV. FATIGUE-BIOMEDICINE HEALTH AND BEHAVIOR 2013; 1:185-189. [PMID: 24273702 PMCID: PMC3835061 DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2013.812831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth R Miller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
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Watt T, Oberfoell S, Balise R, Lunn MR, Kar AK, Merrihew L, Bhangoo MS, Montoya JG. Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein-Barr virus IgG antibody titers. J Med Virol 2013; 84:1967-74. [PMID: 23080504 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.23411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Valganciclovir has been reported to improve physical and cognitive symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with elevated human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) IgG antibody titers. This study investigated whether antibody titers against HHV-6 and EBV were associated with clinical response to valganciclovir in a subset of CFS patients. An uncontrolled, unblinded retrospective chart review was performed on 61 CFS patients treated with 900 mg valganciclovir daily (55 of whom took an induction dose of 1,800 mg daily for the first 3 weeks). Antibody titers were considered high if HHV-6 IgG ≥ 1:320, EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG ≥ 1:640, and EBV early antigen (EA) IgG ≥ 1:160. Patients self-rated physical and cognitive functioning as a percentage of their functioning prior to illness. Patients were categorized as responders if they experienced at least 30% improvement in physical and/or cognitive functioning. Thirty-two patients (52%) were categorized as responders. Among these, 19 patients (59%) responded physically and 26 patients (81%) responded cognitively. Baseline antibody titers showed no significant association with response. After treatment, the average change in physical and cognitive functioning levels for all patients was +19% and +23%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Longer treatment was associated with improved response (P = 0.0002). No significant difference was found between responders and non-responders among other variables analyzed. Valganciclovir treatment, independent of the baseline antibody titers, was associated with self-rated improvement in physical and cognitive functioning for CFS patients who had positive HHV-6 and/or EBV serologies. Longer valganciclovir treatment correlated with an improved response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Watt
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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