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Saade A, Didier Q, Cha L, Garlantezec R, Paris C, Tattevin P. The prevalence, determinants, and consequences of post-COVID in healthcare workers: A cross-sectional survey. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29725. [PMID: 38828936 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Data on post-coronavirus disease (COVID) in healthcare workers (HCWs) are scarce. We aimed to assess prevalence, determinants, and consequences of post-COVID in HCWs. In fall 2022, we performed a cross-sectional survey in a tertiary care hospital with a web-based questionnaire sent to HCWs. Post-COVID was defined as persistent/new symptoms 3 months after acute COVID. Propensity score weighting was performed to assess the impact of post-COVID on return-to-work. 1062 HCWs completed the questionnaire, 713 (68%) reported at least one COVID, and 109 (10%) met the definition for post-COVID, with workplace contamination reported in 51 (47%). On multivariable analysis, risk factors for post-COVID were female gender (p = 0.047), ≥50 years (p = 0.007), immunosuppression (p = 0.004), ≥2 COVID episodes (p = 0.003), and ≥5 symptoms during acute COVID (p = 0.005). Initial sick leave was prescribed for 94 HCWs (86% post-COVID), for a median duration of 7 [7-9] days, and extended for 23. On return-to-work, 91 (84%) had residual symptoms, primarily asthenia/fatigue (72%) and cognitive impairment (25%). Cognitive impairment at return-to-work was associated with post-COVID. Ten HCWs (9%) received a medical diagnosis of post-COVID, 8 consulted the occupational physician, and four required work adaptation. Post-COVID affected 10% of HCWs. Long-term consequences included repeated sick leaves and residual symptoms on return-to-work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Saade
- Occupational Diseases, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
- Infectious diseases and intensive care unit, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm U1230, Rennes, France
| | - Quentin Didier
- Occupational Diseases, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Léo Cha
- Occupational Diseases, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Ronan Garlantezec
- Public Health, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Christophe Paris
- Occupational Diseases, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre Tattevin
- Infectious diseases and intensive care unit, CHU de Rennes, Université de Rennes, Inserm U1230, Rennes, France
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Gil A, Hoag GE, Salerno JP, Hornig M, Klimas N, Selin LK. Identification of CD8 T-cell dysfunction associated with symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID and treatment with a nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen agent in a retrospective case series. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100720. [PMID: 38327880 PMCID: PMC10847863 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with post-acute sequelae of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC, i.e., Long COVID) have a symptom complex highly analogous to many features of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), suggesting they may share some aspects of pathogenesis in these similar disorders. ME/CFS is a complex disease affecting numerous organ systems and biological processes and is often preceded by an infection-like episode. It is postulated that the chronic manifestations of illness may result from an altered host response to infection or inability to resolve inflammation, as is being reported in Long COVID. The immunopathogenesis of both disorders is still poorly understood. Here, we show data that suggest Long COVID and ME/CFS may be due to an aberrant response to an immunological trigger-like infection, resulting in a dysregulated immune system with CD8 T-cell dysfunction reminiscent of some aspects of T-cell clonal exhaustion, a phenomenon associated with oxidative stress. As there is an urgent need for diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for these two related disabling disorders, here, in a retrospective case series, we have also identified a potential nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen treatment that has evidence of a good safety profile. This nebulized agent is comprised of five ingredients previously reported individually to relieve oxidative stress, attenuate NF-κB signaling, and/or to act directly to inhibit pathogens, including viruses. Administration of this treatment by nebulizer results in rapid access of small doses of well-studied antioxidants and agents with anti-pathogen potential to the lungs; components of this nebulized agent are also likely to be distributed systemically, with potential to enter the central nervous system. Methods and Findings: We conducted an analysis of CD8 T-cell function and severity of symptoms by self-report questionnaires in ME/CFS, Long COVID and healthy controls. We developed a CD8 T-cell functional assay, assessing CD8 T-cell dysfunction by intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) in a group of ME/CFS (n = 12) and Long COVID patients (n = 8), comparing to healthy controls (HC) with similar age and sex (n = 10). Magnet-enriched fresh CD8 T-cells in both patient groups had a significantly diminished capacity to produce both cytokines, IFNγ or TNFα, after PMA stimulation when compared to HC. The symptom severity questionnaire showed similar symptom profiles for the two disorders. Fortuitously, through a retrospective case series, we were able to examine the ICS and questionnaire data of 4 ME/CFS and 4 Long COVID patients in conjunction with their treatment (3-15 months). In parallel with the treatment pursued electively by participants in this retrospective case series, there was an increase in CD8 T-cell IFNγ and TNFα production and a decrease in overall self-reported symptom severity score by 54%. No serious treatment-associated side effects or laboratory anomalies were noted in these patients. Conclusions Here, in this small study, we present two observations that appear potentially fundamental to the pathogenesis and treatment of Long COVID and ME/CFS. The first is that both disorders appear to be characterized by dysfunctional CD8 T-cells with severe deficiencies in their abilities to produce IFNγ and TNFα. The second is that in a small retrospective Long COVID and ME/CFS case series, this immune dysfunction and patient health improved in parallel with treatment with an immunomodulatory, antioxidant pharmacological treatment with anticipated anti-pathogen activity. This work provides evidence of the potential utility of a biomarker, CD8 T-cell dysfunction, and suggests the potential for benefit from a new nebulized antioxidant/anti-pathogen treatment. These immune biomarker data may help build capacity for improved diagnosis and tracking of treatment outcomes during clinical trials for both Long COVID and ME/CFS while providing clues to new treatment avenues that suggest potential efficacy for both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gil
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Department of Pathology, Worcester, MA, USA
| | | | - John P. Salerno
- Inspiritol, Inc., Fairfield, CT, USA
- The Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Mady Hornig
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, USA
| | - Nancy Klimas
- Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Liisa K. Selin
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Department of Pathology, Worcester, MA, USA
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Unger ER, Lin JMS, Chen Y, Cornelius ME, Helton B, Issa AN, Bertolli J, Klimas NG, Balbin EG, Bateman L, Lapp CW, Springs W, Podell RN, Fitzpatrick T, Peterson DL, Gottschalk CG, Natelson BH, Blate M, Kogelnik AM, Phan CC. Heterogeneity in Measures of Illness among Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not Explained by Clinical Practice: A Study in Seven U.S. Specialty Clinics. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1369. [PMID: 38592199 PMCID: PMC10931716 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13051369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: One of the goals of the Multi-site Clinical Assessment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (MCAM) study was to evaluate whether clinicians experienced in diagnosing and caring for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) recognized the same clinical entity. Methods: We enrolled participants from seven specialty clinics in the United States. We used baseline data (n = 465) on standardized questions measuring general clinical characteristics, functional impairment, post-exertional malaise, fatigue, sleep, neurocognitive/autonomic symptoms, pain, and other symptoms to evaluate whether patient characteristics differed by clinic. Results: We found few statistically significant and no clinically significant differences between clinics in their patients' standardized measures of ME/CFS symptoms and function. Strikingly, patients in each clinic sample and overall showed a wide distribution in all scores and measures. Conclusions: Illness heterogeneity may be an inherent feature of ME/CFS. Presenting research data in scatter plots or histograms will help clarify the challenge. Relying on case-control study designs without subgrouping or stratification of ME/CFS illness characteristics may limit the reproducibility of research findings and could obscure underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R. Unger
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Jin-Mann S. Lin
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Yang Chen
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Monica E. Cornelius
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Britany Helton
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Anindita N. Issa
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Jeanne Bertolli
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA 30329-4027, USA; (J.-M.S.L.); (Y.C.); (M.E.C.); (B.H.); (A.N.I.); (J.B.)
| | - Nancy G. Klimas
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA; (N.G.K.); (E.G.B.)
- VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, Miami, FL 33125, USA
| | - Elizabeth G. Balbin
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA; (N.G.K.); (E.G.B.)
| | | | - Charles W. Lapp
- Hunter-Hopkins Center, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA; (C.W.L.); (W.S.)
| | - Wendy Springs
- Hunter-Hopkins Center, Charlotte, NC 28226, USA; (C.W.L.); (W.S.)
| | | | | | - Daniel L. Peterson
- Sierra Internal Medicine, Incline Village, NV 89451, USA; (D.L.P.); (C.G.G.)
| | | | - Benjamin H. Natelson
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.H.N.); (M.B.)
| | - Michelle Blate
- Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, New York, NY 10029, USA; (B.H.N.); (M.B.)
| | | | - Catrina C. Phan
- Open Medicine Clinic, Mountain View, CA 94040, USA; (A.M.K.)
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Pricoco R, Meidel P, Hofberger T, Zietemann H, Mueller Y, Wiehler K, Michel K, Paulick J, Leone A, Haegele M, Mayer-Huber S, Gerrer K, Mittelstrass K, Scheibenbogen C, Renz-Polster H, Mihatsch L, Behrends U. One-year follow-up of young people with ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus. Front Pediatr 2024; 11:1266738. [PMID: 38304441 PMCID: PMC10830704 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1266738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Infectious mononucleosis after primary infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV-IM) has been linked to the development of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue-syndrome (ME/CFS) in children, adolescents, and young adults. Here, we present clinical phenotypes and follow-up data from a first German cohort of young people with ME/CFS following EBV-IM. Methods 12 adolescents and 13 young adults were diagnosed with IM-triggered ME/CFS at our specialized tertiary outpatient service by clinical criteria requiring post-exertional malaise (PEM) and a history of confirmed EBV primary infection as triggering event. Demographic information, laboratory findings, frequency and severity of symptoms, physical functioning, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed and re-evaluated 6 and 12 months later. Results Young adults displayed more severe symptoms as well as worsening of fatigue, physical and mental functioning, and HRQoL throughout the study, compared to adolescents. After one year, 6/12 (54%) adolescents no longer met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS while all young adults continued to fulfill the Canadian consensus criteria. Improvement in adolescents was evident in physical functioning, symptom frequency and severity, and HRQoL, while young adults showed little improvement. EBV serology and EBV DNA load did not correlate with distinct clinical features of ME/CFS, and clinical chemistry showed no evidence of inflammation. Remarkably, the median time from symptom onset to ME/CFS diagnosis was 13.8 (IQR: 9.1-34.9) months. Conclusions ME/CFS following EBV-IM is a severely debilitating disease often diagnosed late and with limited responses to conventional medical care, especially in adults. Although adolescents may have a better prognosis, their condition can fluctuate and significantly impact their HRQoL. Our data emphasize that biomarkers and effective therapeutic options are also urgently needed to improve medical care and pave the way to recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Pricoco
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Paulina Meidel
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Tim Hofberger
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Zietemann
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Yvonne Mueller
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Wiehler
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Kaja Michel
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Paulick
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Ariane Leone
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Haegele
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandra Mayer-Huber
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Gerrer
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Kirstin Mittelstrass
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Herbert Renz-Polster
- Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, University Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Mihatsch
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital Schwabing, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (partner site Munich), Munich, Germany
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Seton KA, Espejo-Oltra JA, Giménez-Orenga K, Haagmans R, Ramadan DJ, Mehlsen J. Advancing Research and Treatment: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2024; 13:325. [PMID: 38256459 PMCID: PMC10816159 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13020325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic, debilitating, and multi-faceted illness. Heterogenous onset and clinical presentation with additional comorbidities make it difficult to diagnose, characterize, and successfully treat. Current treatment guidelines focus on symptom management, but with no clear target or causative mechanism, remission rates are low, and fewer than 5% of patients return to their pre-morbid activity levels. Therefore, there is an urgent need to undertake robust clinical trials to identify effective treatments. This review synthesizes insights from clinical trials exploring pharmacological interventions and dietary supplements targeting immunological, metabolic, gastrointestinal, neurological, and neuroendocrine dysfunction in ME/CFS patients which require further exploration. Additionally, the trialling of alternative interventions in ME/CFS based on reported efficacy in the treatment of illnesses with overlapping symptomology is also discussed. Finally, we provide important considerations and make recommendations, focusing on outcome measures, to ensure the execution of future high-quality clinical trials to establish clinical efficacy of evidence-based interventions that are needed for adoption in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine A. Seton
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK;
| | - José A. Espejo-Oltra
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany;
- Department of Pathology, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica de Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
| | - Karen Giménez-Orenga
- Escuela de Doctorado, Universidad Católica de Valencia, San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain;
| | - Rik Haagmans
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UQ, UK;
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Donia J. Ramadan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Jesper Mehlsen
- Surgical Pathophysiology Unit, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
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Jones MD, Casson SM, Barry BK, Li SH, Valenzuela T, Cassar J, Lamanna C, Lloyd AR, Sandler CX. eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial. J Psychosom Res 2023; 173:111462. [PMID: 37619433 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the impact of eLearning by allied health professionals on improving the knowledge and confidence to manage people with medically unexplained chronic fatigue states (FS). METHODS Using a parallel randomized controlled trial design, participants were randomized 1:1 to a 4-week eLearning or wait-list control group. Knowledge and self-reported confidence in clinical skills to implement a therapeutic intervention for patients with FS were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and follow-up. Secondary outcomes (adherence and satisfaction with online education, knowledge retention) were also assessed. Data was analyzed using intention-to-treat. RESULTS There were 239 participants were randomized (eLearning n = 119, control n = 120), of whom 101 (85%) eLearning and 107 (89%) control participants completed baseline assessments and were included in the analysis. Knowledge (out of 100) improved significantly more in the eLearning group compared to the control group [mean difference (95% CI) 8.6 (5.9 to 11.4), p < 0.001]. Knowledge was reduced in the eLearning group at follow-up but was still significantly higher than baseline [6.0 (3.7 to 8.3), p < 0.001]. Median change (out of 5) in confidence in clinical skills to implement the FS intervention was also significantly greater in the eLearning group compared to the control group [knowledge: eLearning (1.2), control (0); clinical skills: eLearning (1), control (0.1); both p < 0.001)]. Average time spent on the eLearning program was 8.8 h. Most participants (80%) rated the lesson difficulty as at the "right level", and 91% would recommend it to others. CONCLUSIONS eLearning increased knowledge and confidence to manage FS amongst allied health professionals and was well-accepted. REGISTRATION ACTRN12616000296437 https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=370222&isReview=true.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Jones
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Health Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Centre for Pain IMPACT, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sally M Casson
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia
| | - Benjamin K Barry
- School of Health Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Medical School, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sophie H Li
- Black Dog Institute and School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Trinidad Valenzuela
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences Laboratory, School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joanne Cassar
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Camillo Lamanna
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carolina X Sandler
- The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Slavin MD, Bailey HM, Hickey EJ, Vasudevan A, Ledingham A, Tannenbaum L, Bateman L, Kaufman DL, Peterson DL, Ruhoy IS, Systrom DM, Felsenstein D, Kazis LE. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Common Data Element item content analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291364. [PMID: 37698999 PMCID: PMC10497138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multisystem chronic disease estimated to affect 836,000-2.5 million individuals in the United States. Persons with ME/CFS have a substantial reduction in their ability to engage in pre-illness levels of activity. Multiple symptoms include profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairment, orthostatic intolerance, pain, and other symptoms persisting for more than 6 months. Diagnosis is challenging due to fluctuating and complex symptoms. ME/CFS Common Data Elements (CDEs) were identified in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Common Data Element Repository. This study reviewed ME/CFS CDEs item content. METHODS Inclusion criteria for CDEs (measures recommended for ME/CFS) analysis: 1) assesses symptoms; 2) developed for adults; 3) appropriate for patient reported outcome measure (PROM); 4) does not use visual or pictographic responses. Team members independently reviewed CDEs item content using the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework to link meaningful concepts. RESULTS 119 ME/CFS CDEs (measures) were reviewed and 38 met inclusion criteria, yielding 944 items linked to 1503 ICF meaningful concepts. Most concepts linked to ICF Body Functions component (b-codes; n = 1107, 73.65%) as follows: Fatiguability (n = 220, 14.64%), Energy Level (n = 166, 11.04%), Sleep Functions (n = 137, 9.12%), Emotional Functions (n = 131, 8.72%) and Pain (n = 120, 7.98%). Activities and Participation concepts (d codes) accounted for a smaller percentage of codes (n = 385, 25.62%). Most d codes were linked to the Mobility category (n = 69, 4.59%) and few items linked to Environmental Factors (e codes; n = 11, 0.73%). DISCUSSION Relatively few items assess the impact of ME/CFS symptoms on Activities and Participation. Findings support development of ME/CFS-specific PROMs, including items that assess activity limitations and participation restrictions. Development of psychometrically-sound, symptom-based item banks administered as computerized adaptive tests can provide robust assessments to assist primary care providers in the diagnosis and care of patients with ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary D. Slavin
- Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Rehabilitation Outcomes Center (ROC), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hannah M. Bailey
- Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emily J. Hickey
- University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ananya Vasudevan
- Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Aileen Ledingham
- Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Linda Tannenbaum
- Open Medicine Foundation, Agoura Hills, California, United States of America
| | - Lucinda Bateman
- Bateman Horne Center of Excellence, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - David L. Kaufman
- Center for Complex Diseases, Mountain View, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel L. Peterson
- Sierra Internal Medicine, Incline Village, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Ilene S. Ruhoy
- Mount Sinai South Nassau, Neurology, Chiari/EDS Center, Oceanside, New York, United States of America
| | - David M. Systrom
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Lung Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Donna Felsenstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lewis E. Kazis
- Department of Health Law Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Rehabilitation Outcomes Center (ROC), Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Querec TD, Lin JMS, Chen Y, Helton B, Kogelnik AM, Klimas NG, Peterson DL, Bateman L, Lapp C, Podell RN, Natelson BH, Unger ER. Natural killer cytotoxicity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a multi-site clinical assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM) sub-study. J Transl Med 2023; 21:242. [PMID: 37013608 PMCID: PMC10069115 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-03958-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multisystem illness characterized by substantial reduction in function accompanied by profound unexplained fatigue not significantly relieved by rest, post-exertional malaise, and other symptoms. Reduced natural killer (NK) cell count and cytotoxicity has been investigated as a biomarker for ME/CFS, but few clinical laboratories offer the test and multi-site verification studies have not been conducted. METHODS We determined NK cell counts and cytotoxicity in 174 (65%) ME/CFS, 86 (32%) healthy control (HC) and 10 (3.7%) participants with other fatigue associated conditions (ill control [IC]) from the Multi-Site Clinical Assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM) study using an assay validated for samples shipped overnight instead of testing on day of venipuncture. RESULTS We found a large variation in percent cytotoxicity [mean and (IQR) for ME/CFS and HC respectively, 34.1% (IQR 22.4-44.3%) and 33.6% (IQR 22.9-43.7%)] and no statistically significant differences between patients with ME/CFS and HC (p-value = 0.79). Analysis stratified on illness domain measured with standardized questionnaires did not identify an association of NK cytotoxicity with domain scores. Among all participants, NK cytotoxicity was not associated with survey results of physical and mental well-being, or health factors such as history of infection, obesity, smoking, and co-morbid conditions. CONCLUSION These results indicate this assay is not ready for clinical implementation and studies are needed to further explore immune parameters that may be involved in the pathophysiology of ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy D Querec
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Jin-Mann S Lin
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yang Chen
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Britany Helton
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth R Unger
- Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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LI BB, FENG CW, QU YY, SUN ZR, CHEN T, WANG YL, WANG QY, LU J, SHAO YY, YANG TS. Research progress on central mechanism of acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome 针刺调控慢性疲劳综合征中枢机制研究进展. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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10
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Conroy KE, Islam MF, Jason LA. Evaluating case diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): toward an empirical case definition. Disabil Rehabil 2023; 45:840-847. [PMID: 35236205 PMCID: PMC9437146 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2022.2043462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness characterized by a variety of symptoms including post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive impairment. A variety of case definitions (e.g., the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC), the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis International Consensus Criteria (ME-ICC), and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria) have been used to diagnose patients. However, these case definitions are consensus-based rather than empirical. MATERIALS AND METHODS The aim of the current study was to evaluate the validity of the aforementioned case definitions by factor analyzing a large, international sample (N = 2308) of ME/CFS symptom data. We performed primary and secondary exploratory factor analyses on the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire's 54-item symptom inventory. These results were compared to the CCC, the ME-ICC, and the IOM criteria. RESULTS We identified seven symptom domains, including post-exertional malaise, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep dysfunction. Contrary to many existing case criteria, our analyses did not identify pain as an independent factor. CONCLUSIONS Although our results implicate a factor solution that best supports the CCC, revisions to the criteria are recommended.Implications for rehabilitationME/CFS is a chronic illness with no consensus regarding case diagnostic criteria, which creates difficulty for patients seeking assistance and disability benefits.The current study compared three commonly used case definitions for ME/CFS by factor analyzing symptomological data from an international sample of patients.Our results suggest three primary and four secondary symptom domains which differed from all three case definitions.These findings could help reduce barriers to care for those disabled with ME/CFS by guiding the development of an empirically-based case definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl E. Conroy
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mohammed F. Islam
- Department of Psychology, Chicago State University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonard A. Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
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11
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Yang M, Keller S, Lin JMS. Assessing sleep and pain among adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: psychometric evaluation of the PROMIS® sleep and pain short forms. Qual Life Res 2022; 31:3483-3499. [PMID: 35896905 PMCID: PMC9331042 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03199-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the psychometric properties of the patient-reported outcome measurement information system® (PROMIS) short forms for assessing sleep disturbance, sleep-related impairment, pain interference, and pain behavior, among adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). METHODS Data came from the Multi-Site ME/CFS study conducted between 2012 and 2020 at seven ME/CFS specialty clinics across the USA. Baseline and follow-up data from ME/CFS and healthy control (HC) groups were used to examine ceiling/floor effects, internal consistency reliability, differential item functioning (DIF), known-groups validity, and responsiveness. RESULTS A total of 945 participants completed the baseline assessment (602 ME/CFS and 338 HC) and 441 ME/CFS also completed the follow-up. The baseline mean T-scores of PROMIS sleep and pain measures ranged from 57.68 to 62.40, about one standard deviation above the national norm (T-score = 50). All four measures showed high internal consistency (ω = 0.92 to 0.97) and no substantial floor/ceiling effects. No DIF was detected by age or sex. Known-groups comparisons among ME/CFS groups with low, medium, and high functional impairment showed significant small-sized differences in scores (η2 = 0.01 to 0.05) for the two sleep measures and small-to-medium-sized differences (η2 = 0.01 to 0.15) for the two pain measures. ME/CFS participants had significantly worse scores than HC (η2 = 0.35 to 0.45) for all four measures. Given the non-interventional nature of the study, responsiveness was evaluated as sensitivity to change over time and the pain interference measure showed an acceptable sensitivity. CONCLUSION The PROMIS sleep and pain measures demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties supporting their use in ME/CFS research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manshu Yang
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, 142 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA.
| | - San Keller
- American Institutes for Research, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jin-Mann S Lin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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12
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Cook DB, VanRiper S, Dougherty RJ, Lindheimer JB, Falvo MJ, Chen Y, Lin JMS, Unger ER. Cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and perceptual responses during exercise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Multi-site Clinical Assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM) sub-study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265315. [PMID: 35290404 PMCID: PMC8923458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiopulmonary exercise testing has demonstrated clinical utility in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, to what extent exercise responses are independent of, or confounded by, aerobic fitness remains unclear. Purpose To characterize and compare exercise responses in ME/CFS and controls with and without matching for aerobic fitness. Methods As part of the Multi-site Clinical Assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM) study, 403 participants (n = 214 ME/CFS; n = 189 controls), across six ME/CFS clinics, completed ramped cycle ergometry to volitional exhaustion. Metabolic, heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Ventilatory equivalent ( V˙E/V˙O2, V˙E/V˙CO2), metrics of ventilatory efficiency, and chronotropic incompetence (CI) were calculated. Exercise variables were compared using Hedges’ g effect size with 95% confidence intervals. Differences in cardiopulmonary and perceptual features during exercise were analyzed using linear mixed effects models with repeated measures for relative exercise intensity (20–100% peak V˙O2). Subgroup analyses were conducted for 198 participants (99 ME/CFS; 99 controls) matched for age (±5 years) and peak V˙O2 (~1 ml/kg/min-1). Results Ninety percent of tests (n = 194 ME/CFS, n = 169 controls) met standard criteria for peak effort. ME/CFS responses during exercise (20–100% peak V˙O2) were significantly lower for ventilation, breathing frequency, HR, measures of efficiency, and CI and significantly higher for V˙E/V˙O2, V˙E/V˙CO2 and RPE (p<0.05adjusted). For the fitness-matched subgroup, differences remained for breathing frequency, V˙E/V˙O2, V˙E/V˙CO2, and RPE (p<0.05adjusted), and higher tidal volumes were identified for ME/CFS (p<0.05adjusted). Exercise responses at the gas exchange threshold, peak, and for measures of ventilatory efficiency (e.g., V˙E/V˙CO2nadir) were generally reflective of those seen throughout exercise (i.e., 20–100%). Conclusion Compared to fitness-matched controls, cardiopulmonary responses to exercise in ME/CFS are characterized by inefficient exercise ventilation and augmented perception of effort. These data highlight the importance of distinguishing confounding fitness effects to identify responses that may be more specifically associated with ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dane B. Cook
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Stephanie VanRiper
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Ryan J. Dougherty
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jacob B. Lindheimer
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Falvo
- War Related Illness and Injury Study Center, Department of Veterans Affairs New Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ, United States of America
- New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, United States of America
| | - Yang Chen
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology/Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jin-Mann S. Lin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology/Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth R. Unger
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology/Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Is It Useful to Question the Recovery Behaviour of Patients with ME/CFS or Long COVID? Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10020392. [PMID: 35207003 PMCID: PMC8872229 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10020392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For the last few decades, medical guidelines have recommended treating patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) with graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Moreover, doctors have questioned the recovery behaviour of these patients and stimulated them to follow these treatments so that they would be able to go back to work. In this article, we reviewed trials of GET and CBT for ME/CFS that reported on work status before and after treatment to answer the question of whether doctors should continue to question the recovery behaviour of patients with ME/CFS. Our review shows that more patients are unable to work after treatment than before treatment with CBT and GET. It also highlights the fact that both treatments are unsafe for patients with ME/CFS. Therefore, questioning the recovery behaviour of patients with ME/CFS is pointless. This confirms the conclusion from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which has recently published its updated ME/CFS guideline and concluded that CBT and GET are not effective and do not lead to recovery. Studies on CBT and GET for long COVID have not yet been published. However, this review offers no support for their use in improving the recovery of patients with an ME/CFS-like illness after infection with COVID-19, nor does it lend any support to the practice of questioning the recovery behaviour of these patients.
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Bateman L, Bested AC, Bonilla HF, Chheda BV, Chu L, Curtin JM, Dempsey TT, Dimmock ME, Dowell TG, Felsenstein D, Kaufman DL, Klimas NG, Komaroff AL, Lapp CW, Levine SM, Montoya JG, Natelson BH, Peterson DL, Podell RN, Rey IR, Ruhoy IS, Vera-Nunez MA, Yellman BP. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials of Diagnosis and Management. Mayo Clin Proc 2021; 96:2861-2878. [PMID: 34454716 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affecting millions of people worldwide, many clinicians lack the knowledge to appropriately diagnose or manage ME/CFS. Unfortunately, clinical guidance has been scarce, obsolete, or potentially harmful. Consequently, up to 91% of patients in the United States remain undiagnosed, and those diagnosed often receive inappropriate treatment. These problems are of increasing importance because after acute COVID-19, a significant percentage of people remain ill for many months with an illness similar to ME/CFS. In 2015, the US National Academy of Medicine published new evidence-based clinical diagnostic criteria that have been adopted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Furthermore, the United States and other governments as well as major health care organizations have recently withdrawn graded exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy as the treatment of choice for patients with ME/CFS. Recently, 21 clinicians specializing in ME/CFS convened to discuss best clinical practices for adults affected by ME/CFS. This article summarizes their top recommendations for generalist and specialist health care providers based on recent scientific progress and decades of clinical experience. There are many steps that clinicians can take to improve the health, function, and quality of life of those with ME/CFS, including those in whom ME/CFS develops after COVID-19. Patients with a lingering illness that follows acute COVID-19 who do not fully meet criteria for ME/CFS may also benefit from these approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alison C Bested
- Integrative Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | - Hector F Bonilla
- Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA
| | | | - Lily Chu
- Independent Consultant, Burlingame, CA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Donna Felsenstein
- Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | | | - Nancy G Klimas
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | | | | | | | - Jose G Montoya
- Dr Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Benjamin H Natelson
- Pain & Fatigue Study Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | | | - Irma R Rey
- Institute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
| | - Ilene S Ruhoy
- Neurology, Chiari/EDS Center, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Oceanside, NY
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15
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Caring for the Patient with Severe or Very Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9101331. [PMID: 34683011 PMCID: PMC8544443 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9101331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can cause a wide range of severity and functional impairment, leaving some patients able to work while others are homebound or bedbound. The most severely ill patients may need total care. Yet, patients with severe or very severe ME/CFS struggle to receive appropriate medical care because they cannot travel to doctors’ offices and their doctors lack accurate information about the nature of this disease and how to diagnose and manage it. Recently published clinical guidance provides updated information about ME/CFS but advice on caring for the severely ill is limited. This article is intended to fill that gap. Based on published clinical guidance and clinical experience, we describe the clinical presentation of severe ME/CFS and provide patient-centered recommendations on diagnosis, assessment and approaches to treatment and management. We also provide suggestions to support the busy provider in caring for these patients by leveraging partnerships with the patient, their caregivers, and other providers and by using technology such as telemedicine. Combined with compassion, humility, and respect for the patient’s experience, such approaches can enable the primary care provider and other healthcare professionals to provide the care these patients require and deserve.
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16
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Nkiliza A, Parks M, Cseresznye A, Oberlin S, Evans JE, Darcey T, Aenlle K, Niedospial D, Mullan M, Crawford F, Klimas N, Abdullah L. Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms. J Transl Med 2021; 19:370. [PMID: 34454515 PMCID: PMC8401202 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03035-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex illness which disproportionally affects females. This illness is associated with immune and metabolic perturbations that may be influenced by lipid metabolism. We therefore hypothesized that plasma lipids from ME/CFS patients will provide a unique biomarker signature of disturbances in immune, inflammation and metabolic processes associated with ME/CFS. Methods Lipidomic analyses were performed on plasma from a cohort of 50 ME/CFS patients and 50 controls (50% males and similar age and ethnicity per group). Analyses were conducted with nano-flow liquid chromatography (nLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems coupled with a high mass accuracy ORBITRAP mass spectrometer, allowing detection of plasma lipid concentration ranges over three orders of magnitude. We examined plasma phospholipids (PL), neutral lipids (NL) and bioactive lipids in ME/CFS patients and controls and examined the influence of sex on the relationship between lipids and ME/CFS diagnosis. Results Among females, levels of total phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), omega-6 arachidonic acid-containing PE, and total hexosylceramides (HexCer) were significantly decreased in ME/CFS compared to controls. In males, levels of total HexCer, monounsaturated PE, phosphatidylinositol (PI), and saturated triglycerides (TG) were increased in ME/CFS patients compared to controls. Additionally, omega-6 linoleic acid-derived oxylipins were significantly increased in male ME/CFS patients versus male controls. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified three major components containing mostly PC and a few PE, PI and SM species—all of which were negatively associated with headache and fatigue severity, irrespective of sex. Correlations of oxylipins, ethanolamides and ME/CFS symptom severity showed that lower concentrations of these lipids corresponded with an increase in the severity of headaches, fatigue and cognitive difficulties and that this association was influenced by sex. Conclusion The observed sex-specific pattern of dysregulated PL, NL, HexCer and oxylipins in ME/CFS patients suggests a possible role of these lipids in promoting immune dysfunction and inflammation which may be among the underlying factors driving the clinical presentation of fatigue, chronic pain, and cognitive difficulties in ill patients. Further evaluation of lipid metabolism pathways is warranted to better understand ME/CFS pathogenesis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03035-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurore Nkiliza
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA. .,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Megan Parks
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Adam Cseresznye
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Sarah Oberlin
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - James E Evans
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Teresa Darcey
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kristina Aenlle
- Institute for NeuroImmune Medicine, VAMC, GRECC, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, USA
| | - Daniel Niedospial
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael Mullan
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Fiona Crawford
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Nancy Klimas
- Institute for NeuroImmune Medicine, VAMC, GRECC, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, USA
| | - Laila Abdullah
- Roskamp Institute, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34243, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, 2040 Whitfield Ave, Tampa, FL, USA
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17
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Evaluation of natural killer cell assay performance on shipped blood specimens. J Immunol Methods 2021; 495:113049. [PMID: 33819446 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Documenting the importance of NK cell function as a biomarker for diseases and physiologic conditions including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), will require assays amenable to clinical implementation and standardization. Research studies typically perform NK functional assays on the day of sample collection. This pilot study was conducted to compare assay formats and specimen processing to identify those that are most tolerant of conditions required for shipping and amenable to standardization as shown by inter-assay and inter-laboratory correlation of results. We compared performance within and between assays that measure NK cell function using direct cytotoxicity [chromium-51 release (CRCA) or fluorescence (Flow Cytometry Cytotoxicity Assay, FCCA)] or an indirect surrogate marker (CD107a surface expression)]. Additional variables for within/between assay comparisons included time of testing (same day as specimen collection or next day within 24 h), specimen types [whole blood or isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)], and processing method (fresh or cryopreserved). Statistical measures included number of samples tested in assay conditions (n), medians (x͂), interquartile range (IQR), Pearson correlation coefficient (R2), and correlation p-value (p). Samples came from 3 clinics and included 31 participants. Same day testing was only available for the subset of participants enrolled from the site of the laboratory performing CRCA. Results from same day CRCA testing of whole blood were considered the gold standard [n = 10, x͂=10.0%, IQR = 7.2%], and correlated well with PBMCs isolated next day [n = 26, x͂= 15.6%, IQR = 13.1%] [R2 = 0.59, p = 0.03]. Next day CRCA results were compromised using whole blood or frozen PBMCs. Next day FCCA cytotoxicity in PBMC [n = 30, x͂=34.1%, IQR = 15.5%] correlated with same day CRCA PMBC [R2 = 0.8, p = 0.001] and next day CRCA PMBC [R2 = 0.5, p < 0.0001]. CD107a expression after induction by PMA and ionomycin did not correlate with other cytotoxicity measures. NK function can be measured in PBMCs isolated after overnight shipping/storage at ambient temperature and CRCA and FCCA results on this sample type are well correlated.
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Mirin AA, Dimmock ME, Jason LA. Research update: The relation between ME/CFS disease burden and research funding in the USA. Work 2021; 66:277-282. [PMID: 32568148 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, chronic, multisystem disease that affects an estimated 1 to 2.5 million Americans. It has no widely accepted biomarkers and no FDA-approved treatment. ME/CFS has traditionally been one of the lowest funded diseases by the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH). OBJECTIVES We provide here an update to our 2016 article, which estimated the disease burden of ME/CFS in the United States in 2013 and its relation to NIH's 2015 analysis of research funding and disease burden. This update incorporates more recent burden data from 2015 and funding data from 2017. METHODS We perform a regression analysis on funding versus disease burden to determine 2017 funding levels that would be commensurate with burden. Burden figures for 2017 are estimated using population-based extrapolations of earlier data. RESULTS We find the disease burden of ME/CFS is double that of HIV/AIDS and over half that of breast cancer. We also find that ME/CFS is more underfunded with respect to burden than any disease in NIH's analysis of funding and disease burden, with ME/CFS receiving roughly 7% of that commensurate with disease burden. CONCLUSIONS To be commensurate with disease burden, NIH funding would need to increase roughly 14-fold.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leonard A Jason
- Director, Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
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19
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Vink M, Vink-Niese F. Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review. Work 2021; 66:283-308. [PMID: 32568149 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cochrane recently amended its exercise review for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in response to an official complaint. OBJECTIVE To determine if the amended review has addressed the concerns raised about the previous review and if exercise is an effective treatment that restores the ability to work in ME/CFS. METHOD The authors reviewed the amended Cochrane exercise review and the eight trials in it by paying particular interest to the objective outcomes. We also summarised the recently published review of work rehabilitation and medical retirement for ME/CFS. RESULTS The Cochrane review concluded that graded exercise therapy (GET) improves fatigue at the end of treatment compared to no-treatment. However, the review did not consider the unreliability of subjective outcomes in non-blinded trials, the objective outcomes which showed that GET is not effective, or the serious flaws of the studies included in the review. These flaws included badly matched control groups, relying on an unreliable fatigue instrument as primary outcome, outcome switching, p-hacking, ignoring evidence of harms, etc. The review did also not take into account that GET does not restore the ability to work. CONCLUSION GET not only fails to objectively improve function significantly or to restore the ability to work, but it is also detrimental to the health of≥50% of patients, according to a multitude of patient surveys. Consequently, it should not be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Vink
- Family and Insurance Physician, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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20
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Chen R, Ho JC, Lin JMS. Extracting medication information from unstructured public health data: a demonstration on data from population-based and tertiary-based samples. BMC Med Res Methodol 2020; 20:258. [PMID: 33059588 PMCID: PMC7559204 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-020-01131-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Unstructured data from clinical epidemiological studies can be valuable and easy to obtain. However, it requires further extraction and processing for data analysis. Doing this manually is labor-intensive, slow and subject to error. In this study, we propose an automation framework for extracting and processing unstructured data. Methods The proposed automation framework consisted of two natural language processing (NLP) based tools for unstructured text data for medications and reasons for medication use. We first checked spelling using a spell-check program trained on publicly available knowledge sources and then applied NLP techniques. We mapped medication names into generic names using vocabulary from publicly available knowledge sources. We used WHO’s Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system to map generic medication names to medication classes. We processed the reasons for medication with the Lancaster stemmer method and then grouped and mapped to disease classes based on organ systems. Finally, we demonstrated this automation framework on two data sources for Mylagic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): tertiary-based (n = 378) and population-based (n = 664) samples. Results A total of 8681 raw medication records were used for this demonstration. The 1266 distinct medication names (omitting supplements) were condensed to 89 ATC classification system categories. The 1432 distinct raw reasons for medication use were condensed to 65 categories via NLP. Compared to completion of the entire process manually, our automation process reduced the number of the terms requiring manual labor for mapping by 84.4% for medications and 59.4% for reasons for medication use. Additionally, this process improved the precision of the mapped results. Conclusions Our automation framework demonstrates the usefulness of NLP strategies even when there is no established mapping database. For a less established database (e.g., reasons for medication use), the method is easily modifiable as new knowledge sources for mapping are introduced. The capability to condense large features into interpretable ones will be valuable for subsequent analytical studies involving techniques such as machine learning and data mining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Chen
- Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Mailstop H24-12, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.,School of Medicine, Emory University, 1648 Pierce Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, USA
| | - Joyce C Ho
- Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Mailstop H24-12, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.,Department of Computer Science, Emory University, 400 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jin-Mann S Lin
- Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd. NE, Mailstop H24-12, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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21
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Hildebrandt H, Stachowiak R, Heber I, Schlake HP, Eling P. Relation between cognitive fatigue and circadian or stress related cortisol levels in MS patients. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2020; 45:102440. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2020.102440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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22
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BARHORST ELLENE, ANDRAE WILLIAME, RAYNE TESSAJ, FALVO MICHAELJ, COOK DANEB, LINDHEIMER JACOBB. Elevated Perceived Exertion in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2020; 52:2615-2627. [DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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23
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Geraghty K, Scott MJ. Treating medically unexplained symptoms via improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT): major limitations identified. BMC Psychol 2020; 8:13. [PMID: 32020880 PMCID: PMC7001321 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-020-0380-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving Access to Psychological Therapies is a UK Government funded initiative to widen access to psychological treatment for a range of common mental health complaints, such as depression and anxiety. More recently, the service has begun to treat patients with medically unexplained symptoms. This paper reports on a review of treatment protocols and early treatment data for medically unexplained symptoms, specifically the illness myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. MAIN TEXT A series of seven core problems and failings are identified, including an unproven treatment rationale, a weak and contested evidence-base, biases in treatment promotion, exaggeration of recovery claims, under-reporting of drop-out rates, and a significant risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. CONCLUSIONS There is a pressing need for independent oversight of this service, specifically evaluation of service performance and methods used to collect and report treatment outcomes. This service offers uniform psycho-behavioural therapy that may not meet the needs of many patients with medically unexplained health complaints. Psychotherapy should not become a default when patients' physical symptoms remain unexplained, and patients should be fully informed of the rationale behind psychotherapy, before agreeing to take part. Patients who reject psychotherapy or do not meet selection criteria should be offered appropriate medical and psychological support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Geraghty
- Centre for Primary Care, Division of Health Sciences and Population Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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24
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Yang M, Keller S, Lin JMS. Psychometric properties of the PROMIS ® Fatigue Short Form 7a among adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Qual Life Res 2019; 28:3375-3384. [PMID: 31506915 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-019-02289-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System® Fatigue Short Form 7a (PROMIS F-SF) among people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). METHODS Analyses were conducted using data from the Multi-Site Clinical Assessment of ME/CFS study, which recruited participants from seven ME/CFS specialty clinics across the US. Baseline and follow-up data from ME/CFS participants and healthy controls were used. Ceiling/Floor effects, internal consistency reliability, differential item functioning (DIF), known-groups validity, and responsiveness were examined. RESULTS The final sample comprised 549 ME/CFS participants at baseline, 386 of whom also had follow-up. At baseline, the sample mean of PROMIS F-SF T-score was 68.6 (US general population mean T-score of 50 and standard deviation of 10). The PROMIS F-SF demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α = 0.84) and minimal floor/ceiling effects. No DIF was detected by age or sex for any item. This instrument also showed good known-groups validity with medium-to-large effect sizes (η2 = 0.08-0.69), with a monotonic increase of the fatigue T-score across ME/CFS participant groups with low, medium, and high functional impairment as measured by three different variables (p < 0.01), and with significantly higher fatigue T-scores among ME/CFS participants than healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Acceptable responsiveness was found with small-to-medium effect sizes (Guyatt's Responsiveness Statistic = 0.28-0.54). CONCLUSIONS Study findings support the reliability and validity of PROMIS F-SF as a measure of fatigue for ME/CFS and lend support to the drug development tool submission for qualifying this measure to evaluate therapeutic effect in ME/CFS clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manshu Yang
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, 142 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI, 02881, USA. .,American Institutes for Research, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - San Keller
- American Institutes for Research, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jin-Mann S Lin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
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25
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Castro-Marrero J, Faro M, Zaragozá MC, Aliste L, de Sevilla TF, Alegre J. Unemployment and work disability in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a community-based cross-sectional study from Spain. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:840. [PMID: 31253111 PMCID: PMC6599355 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7225-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Few reports have examined the association between unemployment and work disability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This study explored the key determinants of work disability in a CFS/ME cohort. Methods A community-based prospective study included 1086 CFS/ME patients aged 18–65 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome measures were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify key risk indicators of work disability. Results Four hundred and fifty patients with CFS/ME were employed (41.4%) and 636 were unemployed (58.6%). Older age at pain onset (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1. 12–1.84, autonomic dysfunction (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.71–2.87), neurological symptom (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1. 30–2.13) and higher scores for fatigue (OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 2.01–3.39), pain (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.47–2.97), depression (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1. 20–3.26), psychopathology (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.51–2.61) and sleep dysfunction (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1. 14–1.90) were all associated with a higher risk of work disability due to illness. Conclusions Using an explanatory approach, our findings suggest that unemployment is consistently associated with an increased risk of work disability due to CFS/ME, although further more rigorous research is now needed to help in targeting interventions at the workplace.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Castro-Marrero
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mónica Faro
- EAP CAP Terrassa Nord, Consorcio Sanitario de Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Cleofé Zaragozá
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Clinical Research Department, Laboratorios Viñas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisa Aliste
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomás Fernández de Sevilla
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Alegre
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital Research Institute, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035, Barcelona, Spain
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Chu L, Valencia IJ, Garvert DW, Montoya JG. Onset Patterns and Course of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:12. [PMID: 30805319 PMCID: PMC6370741 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Epidemiologic studies of myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have examined different aspects of this disease separately but few have explored them together. Objective: Describe ME/CFS onset and course in one United States-based cohort. Methods: One hundred and fifty subjects fitting Fukuda 1994 CFS criteria completed a detailed survey concerning the initial and subsequent stages of their illness. Descriptive statistics, graphs, and tables were used to illustrate prevalence and patterns of characteristics. Results: The most common peri-onset events reported by subjects were infection-related episodes (64%), stressful incidents (39%), and exposure to environmental toxins (20%). For 38% of subjects, more than 6 months elapsed from experiencing any initial symptom to developing the set of symptoms comprising their ME/CFS. Over time, the 12 most common symptoms persisted but declined in prevalence, with fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, exertion-related sickness, and flu-like symptoms declining the most (by 20-25%). Conversely, cognitive symptoms changed the least in prevalence, rising in symptom ranking. Pregnancy, menopause, and menstrual cycles exacerbated many women's symptoms. Fatigue-related function was not associated with duration of illness or age; during the worst periods of their illness, 48% of subjects could not engage in any productive activity. At the time of survey, 47% were unable to work and only 4% felt their condition was improving steadily with the majority (59%) describing a fluctuating course. Ninety-seven percent suffered from at least one other illness: anxiety (48%), depression (43%), fibromyalgia (39%), irritable bowel syndrome (38%), and migraine headaches (37%) were the most diagnosed conditions. Thirteen percent came from families where at least one other first-degree relative was also afflicted, rising to 27% when chronic fatigue of unclear etiology was included. Conclusions: This paper offers a broad epidemiologic overview of one ME/CFS cohort in the United States. While most of our findings are consistent with prior studies, we highlight underexamined aspects of this condition (e.g., the evolution of symptoms) and propose new interpretations of findings. Studying these aspects can offer insight and solutions to the diagnosis, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Chu
- Stanford ME/CFS Initiative, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Ian J Valencia
- Stanford ME/CFS Initiative, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Donn W Garvert
- Stanford ME/CFS Initiative, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jose G Montoya
- Stanford ME/CFS Initiative, Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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27
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Acupuncture on back-shu points of five zang for chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized control trial. WORLD JOURNAL OF ACUPUNCTURE-MOXIBUSTION 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wjam.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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28
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Sharif K, Watad A, Bragazzi NL, Lichtbroun M, Martini M, Perricone C, Amital H, Shoenfeld Y. On chronic fatigue syndrome and nosological categories. Clin Rheumatol 2018; 37:1161-1170. [PMID: 29417255 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4009-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a heterogeneous disease which presents with pronounced disabling fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment that negatively affects patients' functional capability. CFS remains a poorly defined entity and its etiology is still in question. CFS is neither a novel diagnosis nor a new medical condition. From as early as the eighteenth century, a constellation of perplexing symptoms was observed that resembled symptoms of CFS. Commencing with "febricula" and ending with CFS, many names for the disease were proposed including neurocirculatory asthenia, atypical poliomyelitis, Royal Free disease, effort syndrome, Akureyri disease, Tapanui disease, chronic Epstein-Barr virus syndrome, and myalgic encephalitis. To date, it remains unclear whether CFS has an autoimmune component or is a condition that precedes a full-blown autoimmune disease. Research suggests that CFS may overlap with other diseases including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), autoimmune syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA), and Sjögren's syndrome. Additionally, it has been postulated that the earliest manifestations of some autoimmune diseases can present with vague non-specific symptoms similar to CFS. Sometimes only when exposed to a secondary stimulus (e.g., antigen) which could accelerate the natural course of the disease would an individual develop the classic autoimmune disease. Due to the similarity of symptoms, it has been postulated that CFS could simply be an early manifestation of an autoimmune disease. This paper will provide a historical background review of this disease and a discussion of CFS as an entity overlapping with multiple other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassem Sharif
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Abdulla Watad
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michael Lichtbroun
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Mariano Martini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carlo Perricone
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of History of Medicine and Ethics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Reumatologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialità Mediche, Sapienza Università di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Howard Amital
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 5265601, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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