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Mayer-Huber S, Kircher A, Eberhartinger M, Stojanov S, Behrends U. [Multimodal Treatment Strategies for Homebound Patients with Severe ME/CFS: A Scoping Review]. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2024; 86:614-624. [PMID: 38729210 DOI: 10.1055/a-2323-4108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This scoping review aims to provide an overview of previously published treatment strategies that are multimodal, rather than purely drug-based and may be considered for home- or bedbound ME/CFS patients. Thus, the focus lies upon the analyses of telemedicine as well as home treatment elements. In addition, the evaluation and assessment methods used in these studies will be further discussed. METHODS Using the scoping review method, a literature analysis was conducted resulting in a total of 14 publications which met the predefined criteria. Inclusion was based on models applicable to housebound individuals with ME/CFS, focusing on social medicine and psychological support services rather than individual drug strategies. RESULTS The analysis demonstrated that the appropriate treatment methods were predominantly home visits (n=5) or a telemedicine format (n=7). Studies which used alternative settings were included if conversion to a telemedicine format was viable. The important factors highlighted in several studies (n=8), when considering this patient group, were individualisation and flexibility of the treatment methods, and thus the ability to address the day-to-day levels of impairment. The explicit involvement of families in the treatment plan were described in a total of six studies. In ten articles, the treatment concept was additionally evaluated, predominantly using questionnaires (n=7), whilst the questionnaires used were not consistent. Qualitative evaluations were invariably conducted using Brown and Clarke's thematic analysis (n=3). CONCLUSION Publications on multimodal treatment strategies for homebound ME/CFS patients are rare. However approaches using home visits or telemedicine are described. The majority of identified publications addressed the need for individualised as well as flexible patient care, whilst some were dedicated to the added value of involving the patients' family. The data outline the specific challenges associated with the care of severely affected ME/CFS patients that should also be considered in the context of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Mayer-Huber
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Alissa Kircher
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Maria Eberhartinger
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Silvia Stojanov
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Klinikum rechts der Isar der Technischen Universität München, München, Germany
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2
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Nadinda PG, van Laarhoven AIM, Van den Bergh O, Vlaeyen JWS, Peters ML, Evers AWM. Expectancies and avoidance: Towards an integrated model of chronic somatic symptoms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105808. [PMID: 38986893 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Putu Gita Nadinda
- Leiden University, the Netherlands; Maastricht University, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Johan W S Vlaeyen
- Maastricht University, the Netherlands; Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Andrea W M Evers
- Leiden University, the Netherlands; Medical Delta, Leiden University, Technical University Delft, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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3
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Hieber H, Pricoco R, Gerrer K, Heindrich C, Wiehler K, Mihatsch LL, Haegele M, Schindler D, Donath Q, Christa C, Grabbe A, Kircher A, Leone A, Mueller Y, Zietemann H, Freitag H, Sotzny F, Warlitz C, Stojanov S, Hattesohl DBR, Hausruckinger A, Mittelstrass K, Scheibenbogen C, Behrends U. The German Multicenter Registry for ME/CFS (MECFS-R). J Clin Med 2024; 13:3168. [PMID: 38892879 PMCID: PMC11172639 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13113168] [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: 04/28/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multisystemic disease characterized by a complex, incompletely understood etiology. Methods: To facilitate future clinical and translational research, a multicenter German ME/CFS registry (MECFS-R) was established to collect comprehensive, longitudinal, clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data from adults, adolescents, and children in a web-based multilayer-secured database. Results: Here, we present the research protocol and first results of a pilot cohort of 174 ME/CFS patients diagnosed at two specialized tertiary fatigue centers, including 130 (74.7%) adults (mean age 38.4; SD 12.6) and 43 (25.3%) pediatric patients (mean age 15.5; SD 4.2). A viral trigger was identified in 160/174 (92.0%) cases, with SARS-CoV-2 in almost half of them. Patients exhibited severe functional and social impairment, as reflected by a median Bell Score of 30.0 (IQR 30.0 to 40.0) and a poor health-related quality of life assessed with the Short Form-36 health survey, resulting in a mean score of 40.4 (SD 20.6) for physical function and 59.1 (SD 18.8) for mental health. Conclusions: The MECFS-R provides important clinical information on ME/CFS to research and healthcare institutions. Paired with a multicenter biobank, it facilitates research on pathogenesis, diagnostic markers, and treatment options. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05778006.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Hieber
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Rafael Pricoco
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Gerrer
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Cornelia Heindrich
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Wiehler
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Lorenz L. Mihatsch
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Matthias Haegele
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Daniela Schindler
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Quirin Donath
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Catharina Christa
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Annika Grabbe
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Alissa Kircher
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Ariane Leone
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Yvonne Mueller
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Hannah Zietemann
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Helma Freitag
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cordula Warlitz
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Silvia Stojanov
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Child and Adolescent Psychosomatics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Anna Hausruckinger
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Kirstin Mittelstrass
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, 80333 Munich, Germany; (H.H.); (R.P.); (L.L.M.)
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 81675 Munich, Germany
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Toepfner N, Brinkmann F, Augustin S, Stojanov S, Behrends U. Long COVID in pediatrics-epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:1543-1553. [PMID: 38279014 PMCID: PMC11001657 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05360-y] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
This review summarizes current knowledge on post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) in children and adolescents. A literature review was performed to synthesize information from clinical studies, expert opinions, and guidelines. PASC also termed Long COVID - at any age comprise a plethora of unspecific symptoms present later than 4 weeks after confirmed or probable infection with severe respiratory syndrome corona virus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), without another medical explanation. PCC in children and adolescents was defined by the WHO as PASC occurring within 3 months of acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), lasting at least 2 months, and limiting daily activities. Pediatric PASC mostly manifest after mild courses of COVID-19 and in the majority of cases remit after few months. However, symptoms can last for more than 1 year and may result in significant disability. Frequent symptoms include fatigue, exertion intolerance, and anxiety. Some patients present with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), and a small number of cases fulfill the clinical criteria of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). To date, no diagnostic marker has been established, and differential diagnostics remains challenging. Therapeutic approaches include appropriate self-management as well as the palliation of symptoms by non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical strategies. Conclusion: PASC in pediatrics present with heterogenous severity and duration. A stepped, interdisciplinary, and individualized approach is essential for appropriate clinical management. Current health care structures have to be adapted, and research was extended to meet the medical and psychosocial needs of young people with PASC or similar conditions. What is Known: • Post-acute sequelae of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) (PASC) - also termed Long COVID - in children and adolescents can lead to activity limitation and reduced quality of life. • PASC belongs to a large group of similar post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS). Specific biomarkers and causal treatment options are not yet available. What is New: • In February 2023, a case definition for post COVID-19 condition (PCC) in children and adolescents was provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), indicating PASC with duration of at least 2 months and limitation of daily activities. PCC can present as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). • Interdisciplinary collaborations are necessary and have been established worldwide to offer harmonized, multimodal approaches to diagnosis and management of PASC/PCC in children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Folke Brinkmann
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Children's Hospital, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Luebeck, Germany
| | - Silvia Augustin
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People, Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Technical University Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Silvia Stojanov
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People, Child and Adolescent Psychosomatics, Children's Hospital, Technical University Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Uta Behrends
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People, Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Technical University Munich and Munich Municipal Hospital, Munich, Germany
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5
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Snell GE, Seage CH, Mercer J. A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. J Health Psychol 2024; 29:225-237. [PMID: 37455618 PMCID: PMC10913334 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231186385] [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] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Whilst chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been widely researched amongst women, studies investigating how men experience a CFS diagnosis is limited. This study utilised an interpretative phenomenological approach to interview five men who have a medical diagnosis of CFS. Six themes emerged to demonstrate the participants' experiences prior to, during and after obtaining their CFS diagnosis. Findings revealed that participants were initially reluctant to accept their condition, confounded by their perception that symptoms compromised their sense of masculinity. They also felt that healthcare professionals had limited recognition of CFS leading them to seek social support and legitimisation from other sources. The struggle to come to terms with a different lifestyle and sense of masculinity prevailed. Such knowledge could be effectively utilised by researchers, practitioners and employers to facilitate an increased understanding of male accounts of the condition and more bespoke interventions where required.
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6
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Thoma M, Froehlich L, Hattesohl DBR, Quante S, Jason LA, Scheibenbogen C. Why the Psychosomatic View on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Inconsistent with Current Evidence and Harmful to Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 60:83. [PMID: 38256344 PMCID: PMC10819994 DOI: 10.3390/medicina60010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Since 1969, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) has been classified as a neurological disease in the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization. Although numerous studies over time have uncovered organic abnormalities in patients with ME/CFS, and the majority of researchers to date classify the disease as organic, many physicians still believe that ME/CFS is a psychosomatic illness. In this article, we show how detrimental this belief is to the care and well-being of affected patients and, as a consequence, how important the education of physicians and the public is to stop misdiagnosis, mistreatment, and stigmatization on the grounds of incorrect psychosomatic attributions about the etiology and clinical course of ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Thoma
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; (D.B.R.H.); (S.Q.)
| | - Laura Froehlich
- Research Center CATALPA, FernUniversität in Hagen, 58097 Hagen, Germany;
| | | | - Sonja Quante
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; (D.B.R.H.); (S.Q.)
| | - Leonard A. Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA;
| | - 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), 10117 Berlin, Germany;
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Habermann-Horstmeier L, Horstmeier LM. [Implications of the quality of the doctor-patient relationship on health in adult ME/CFS patients. A qualitative public health study from a patien perspective]. MMW Fortschr Med 2023; 165:16-27. [PMID: 38062324 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-023-2894-z] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are dissatisfied with medical care. They complain about e. g. the lack of medical recognition of ME/CFS as a neuroimmunological disease and the medical perception of those affected as "difficult patients". METHOD As part of an exploratory qualitative survey, 544 medically diagnosed ME/CFS patients (> 20 years; 455 ♀, 89 ♂) were asked about their subjective experiences with regard to the doctor-patient relationships (DP relationship) to their treating physicians. The questionnaire was structured analogously to a focused, standardized guideline interview. The written answers were evaluated using a qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. RESULTS The participants reported a significant deterioration in their health situation and their quality of life as a result of misdiagnoses and incorrect treatments, the strained DP relationship and the lack of support from the physicians. All of this leads to fear of visiting the doctor, a general loss of trust in physicians, a feeling of helplessness up to bitterness and resignation - with suicide as the last mental option for some patients to escape from this precarious situation. During medical consultations, other participants only addressed health problems that were not related to ME/CFS, or only went to the doctor in an emergency, or refrained from contacting doctors entirely. CONCLUSIONS The DP relationship described by the participants as problematic in their opinion has significant negative health consequences for them. It is therefore of great urgency to develop a patient-centred treatment concept that focuses on ME/CFS patients as experts on their own illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukas M Horstmeier
- Sektion für Versorgungsforschung und Rehabilitationsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Medizinische Fakultät, Freiburg, Deutschland
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Jason LA, Natelson BH, Bonilla H, Sherif ZA, Vernon SD, Verduzco Gutierrez M, O’Brien L, Taylor E. What Long COVID investigators can learn from four decades of ME/CFS research. BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY INTEGRATIVE 2023; 4:100022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbii.2023.100022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
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Bakken AK, Mengshoel AM, Synnes O, Strand EB. Acquiring a new understanding of illness and agency: a narrative study of recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2023; 18:2223420. [PMID: 37307500 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2023.2223420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is poorly understood. Simplified medical models tend to neglect the complexity of illness, contributing to a terrain of uncertainty, dilemmas and predicaments. However, despite pessimistic pictures of no cure and poor prognosis, some patients recover. PURPOSE This study's purpose is to provide insight into people's experiences of suffering and recovery from very severe CFS/ME and illuminate understanding of how and why changes became possible. METHODS Fourteen former patients were interviewed about their experiences of returning to health. A narrative analysis was undertaken to explore participants' experiences and understandings. We present the result through one participant's story. RESULTS The analysis yielded a common plotline with a distinct turning point. Participants went through a profound narrative shift, change in mindset and subsequent long-time work to actively pursue their own healing. Their narrative understandings of being helpless victims of disease were replaced by a more complex view of causality and illness and a new sense of self-agency developed. DISCUSSION We discuss the illness narratives in relation to the disease model and its shortcomings, the different voices dominating the stories at different times in a clinically, conceptually, and emotionally challenging area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Karen Bakken
- Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Marit Mengshoel
- Department for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Oddgeir Synnes
- Department for Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elin Bolle Strand
- Centre of Diaconia and Professional Practice, VID Specialized University, Oslo, Norway
- Dep of Digital Health Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Steiner S, Fehrer A, Hoheisel F, Schoening S, Aschenbrenner A, Babel N, Bellmann-Strobl J, Finke C, Fluge Ø, Froehlich L, Goebel A, Grande B, Haas JP, Hohberger B, Jason LA, Komaroff AL, Lacerda E, Liebl M, Maier A, Mella O, Nacul L, Paul F, Prusty BK, Puta C, Riemekasten G, Ries W, Rowe PC, Sawitzki B, Shoenfeld Y, Schultze JL, Seifert M, Sepúlveda N, Sotzny F, Stein E, Stingl M, Ufer F, Veauthier C, Westermeier F, Wirth K, Wolfarth B, Zalewski P, Behrends U, Scheibenbogen C. Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité Fatigue Center. Autoimmun Rev 2023; 22:103452. [PMID: 37742748 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a devastating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Due to the 2019 pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), we are facing a significant increase of ME/CFS prevalence. On May 11th to 12th, 2023, the second international ME/CFS conference of the Charité Fatigue Center was held in Berlin, Germany, focusing on pathomechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment. During the two-day conference, more than 100 researchers from various research fields met on-site and over 700 attendees participated online to discuss the state of the art and novel findings in this field. Key topics from the conference included: the role of the immune system, dysfunction of endothelial and autonomic nervous system, and viral reactivation. Furthermore, there were presentations on innovative diagnostic measures and assessments for this complex disease, cutting-edge treatment approaches, and clinical studies. Despite the increased public attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the subsequent rise of Long COVID-19 cases, and the rise of funding opportunities to unravel the pathomechanisms underlying ME/CFS, this severe disease remains highly underresearched. Future adequately funded research efforts are needed to further explore the disease etiology and to identify diagnostic markers and targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Steiner
- 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
| | - Annick Fehrer
- 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
| | - Friederike Hoheisel
- 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.
| | | | - Anna Aschenbrenner
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - Nina Babel
- 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; Center for Translational Medicine and Immune Diagnostics Laboratory, Medical Department I, Ruhr-University Bochum, Marien Hospital Herne, University Hospital of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Herne, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Judith Bellmann-Strobl
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation Between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Øystein Fluge
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Laura Froehlich
- Center of Advanced Technology for Assisted Learning and Predictive Analytics (CATALPA), FernUniversität in Hagen, Germany
| | - Andreas Goebel
- Pain Research Institute, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, and Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Johannes-Peter Haas
- Deutsches Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendrheumatologie, Zentrum für Schmerztherapie junger Menschen, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Bettina Hohberger
- Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Leonard A Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Anthony L Komaroff
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eliana Lacerda
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Max Liebl
- Department of Physical Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Maier
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Olav Mella
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Luis Nacul
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Women's Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Friedemann Paul
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation Between the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany; NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bhupesh K Prusty
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Christian Puta
- Department of Sports Medicine and Health Promotion, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany; Center for Interdisciplinary Prevention of Diseases Related to Professional Activities, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany; Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC), Jena University Hospital/Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Ries
- Internal Medicine, Department of Nephrology, Diakonissenkrankenhaus, Flensburg, Germany
| | - Peter C Rowe
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Birgit Sawitzki
- Translational Immunology, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) & Charité University Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Reichman University Herzelia, Israel
| | - Joachim L Schultze
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Department for Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany; PRECISE Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics, DZNE und Universität Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martina Seifert
- 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; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany; DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site, 10785 Berlin, Germany
| | - Nuno Sepúlveda
- Department of Mathematics & Information Science, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland.; CEAUL - Centro de Estatística e Aplicações da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Franziska Sotzny
- 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
| | - Elisa Stein
- 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
| | - Michael Stingl
- Department of Neurology, Zentrum Votivpark, Vienna, Austria
| | - Friederike Ufer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Veauthier
- Interdisciplinary Center of Sleep Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - 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
| | - Klaus Wirth
- Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Bernd Wolfarth
- Department of Sports Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
| | - Pawel Zalewski
- Department of Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń, Toruń, Poland; Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Warsaw Medical University, Stefana Banacha 2a, Warszawa 02-097, Poland
| | - Uta Behrends
- Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany; AGV Research Unit Gene Vectors, Helmholtz Munich (HMGU), 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
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11
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Meyerson WU, Hoyle RH. Pre-pandemic activity on a myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome support forum is highly associated with later activity on a long COVID support forum for a variety of reasons: A mixed methods study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291173. [PMID: 37682908 PMCID: PMC10490974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long COVID share some clinical and social characteristics. We predicted that this would lead to an increased interaction between pre-pandemic members of an ME/CFS online support community and a long COVID community. We performed a mixed-methods retrospective observational study of the Reddit activity of 7,544 users active on Reddit's long COVID forum. From among 1600 forums, pre-pandemic activity specifically on a ME/CFS forum is the top predictor of later participation on the long COVID forum versus an acute COVID support forum. In the qualitative portion, motives for this co-participation included seeking mutual support and dual identification with both conditions. Some of this effect may be explained by pre-existing ME/CFS possibly being a risk factor for long COVID and/or SARS-CoV-2 infection being a cause of ME/CFS relapse. The high rate of ME/CFS patients seeking mutual support on a long COVID forum speaks to the long-suffering experience of these patients not feeling heard or respected, and the hope of some ME/CFS patients to gain legitimacy through the public's growing recognition of long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- William U. Meyerson
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Health System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Rick H. Hoyle
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
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12
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von dem Knesebeck O, Barbek R. Public stigma toward fatigue-do social characteristics of affected persons matter? Results from the SOMA.SOC study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1213721. [PMID: 37637898 PMCID: PMC10450932 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1213721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Although public stigma imposes a great burden on those affected with manifold negative consequence there is not much known about public stigma related to fatigue. Therefore, this study addresses the following research questions: (1) What is the magnitude of public stigma toward individuals with fatigue? (2) Are there differences in public stigma depending on the social characteristics of the affected person (sex, occupation, and migration)? Methods Analyses are based on a national telephone survey in Germany (N = 1,209). A vignette describing a person with symptoms of fatigue was presented to the respondents. Vignettes were varied according to sex, occupational status, and migration status. Stigma toward the person presented in the vignette was measured by stereotypes and negative emotional reactions (anger). Results Of the stereotypes under study, "hypersensitive" was most frequently endorsed by the respondents (35.7%), followed by "weak will" (27.2%). About 15-20% of the respondents agreed that they react with anger, annoyance or incomprehension. There were considerable differences in fatigue stigma according to the social characteristics of the affected person. In two social groups public stigma was particularly pronounced: (1) male persons with a low occupational status and a migration background; (2) female persons with a high occupational status and without a migration status. In contrast, women with a low occupational status and a migration background were less stigmatized. Conclusion Individuals suffering from fatigue symptoms are confronted with stereotypes and negative emotional reactions by the public. Magnitude of public stigma considerably varies according to social characteristics of the afflicted person. Future studies should consider applying an intersectional approach to identify groups that are at risk of multiple stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olaf von dem Knesebeck
- Institute of Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Froehlich L, Niedrich J, Hattesohl DBR, Behrends U, Kedor C, Haas JP, Stingl M, Scheibenbogen C. Evaluation of a Webinar to Increase Health Professionals' Knowledge about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2186. [PMID: 37570426 PMCID: PMC10418697 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11152186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe chronic illness and patients with ME/CFS are often medically underserved in Germany and other countries. One contributing factor is health professionals' lack of knowledge about epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of ME/CFS. Opportunities are scarce for health professionals to receive continuing medical education on ME/CFS. The current research addressed this need for further education and investigated the gain of knowledge from a webinar for German-speaking health professionals. In two studies (total sample: N = 378), participants in the intervention condition completed a knowledge test twice (before and after webinar participation). Study 2 also included a waiting-list control condition with repeated response to the knowledge test without webinar participation between measurements. Results showed that at baseline, most participants had seen patients with ME/CFS, but confidence in diagnosing and treating ME/CFS was only moderate-to-low. In the intervention condition, but not in the control condition, knowledge about ME/CFS increased between the first and the second knowledge test. These results indicate that the webinar was successful in increasing health professionals' knowledge about ME/CFS. We concluded that webinars can be a cost-efficient and effective tool in providing health professionals with large-scale continuing medical education about ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Froehlich
- CATALPA Center of Advanced Technology for Assisted Learning and Predictive Analytics, FernUniversität in Hagen, 58097 Hagen, Germany
| | - Jasmin Niedrich
- Faculty of Psychology, FernUniversität in Hagen, 58097 Hagen, Germany;
| | | | - Uta Behrends
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC), Children’s Hospital, Technical University of Munich, 80333 München, Germany;
| | - Claudia Kedor
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (C.S.)
| | - Johannes-Peter Haas
- Center for Treatment of Pain in Young People, German Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology, 82467 Garmisch-Patenkirchen, Germany;
| | | | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; (C.K.); (C.S.)
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14
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Tabacof L, Nicolau E, Rivera A, Putrino D. Post-COVID Conditions and Burden of Disease. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2023; 34:499-511. [PMID: 37419527 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Post-COVID condition (PCC), also known as long COVID, is a multi-systemic illness estimated to affect 10% to 20% of those infected, regardless of age, baseline health status, or initial symptom severity. PCC has affected millions of lives, with long-lasting debilitating effects, but unfortunately it remains an underrecognized and therefore poorly documented condition. Defining and disseminating the burden of PCC is essential for developing effective public health strategies to address this issue in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tabacof
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th Street SB-18, 10029, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Eric Nicolau
- West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 5718 Merrywing Circle, Austin, TX 78730, USA
| | - Andrew Rivera
- Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
| | - David Putrino
- Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th Street SB-18, 10029, New York, NY, USA
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15
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Oliveira CR, Jason LA, Unutmaz D, Bateman L, Vernon SD. Improvement of Long COVID symptoms over one year. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 9:1065620. [PMID: 36698810 PMCID: PMC9868805 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1065620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID, clinically known as post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), may mitigate progression to chronic diseases such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Our objective was to determine the utility of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess the frequency and severity of common symptoms of ME/CFS, to diagnose and monitor symptoms in patients with PASC. Methods This prospective, observational cohort study enrolled 185 people that included 34 patients with PASC that had positive COVID-19 test and persistent symptoms of >3 months and 151 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS. PASC patients were followed over 1 year and responded to the DSQ at baseline and 12 months. ME/CFS patients responded to the DSQ at baseline and 1 year later. Changes in symptoms over time were analyzed using a fixed-effects model to compute difference-in-differences estimates between baseline and 1-year follow-up assessments. Participants Patients were defined as having PASC if they had a previous positive COVID-19 test, were experiencing symptoms of fatigue, post-exertional malaise, or other unwellness for at least 3 months, were not hospitalized for COVID-19, had no documented major medical or psychiatric diseases prior to COVID-19, and had no other active and untreated disease processes that could explain their symptoms. PASC patients were recruited in 2021. ME/CFS patients were recruited in 2017. Results At baseline, patients with PASC had similar symptom severity and frequency as patients with ME/CFS and satisfied ME/CFS diagnostic criteria. ME/CFS patients experienced significantly more severe unrefreshing sleep and flu-like symptoms. Five symptoms improved significantly over the course of 1 year for PASC patients including fatigue, post-exertional malaise, brain fog, irritable bowel symptoms and feeling unsteady. In contrast, there were no significant symptom improvements for ME/CFS patients. Conclusion and relevance There were considerable similarities between patients with PASC and ME/CFS at baseline. However, symptoms improved for PASC patients over the course of a year but not for ME/CFS patients. PASC patients with significant symptom improvement no longer met ME/CFS clinical diagnostic criteria. These findings indicate that the DSQ can be used to reliably assess and monitor PASC symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R. Oliveira
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Section of Health Informatics, Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Leonard A. Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Derya Unutmaz
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, United States
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Elliott MK, Jason LA. Risk factors for suicidal ideation in a chronic illness. DEATH STUDIES 2023; 47:827-835. [PMID: 36240287 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2022.2132551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Suicide is an urgent concern for people with chronic illnesses, particularly for those with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Prior work has examined suicide risk in this illness, but few studies have examined specific risk factors. This study uses binary logistic regression to identify physical, social, and demographic risk and protective factors for suicidal ideation in ME/CFS (N = 559). The results indicate sleep-related symptoms, stigma, disability status, physical functioning, and marital status as risk factors for suicidal ideation in this group. These findings highlight the importance of education, de-stigmatization, and the search for effective disease-modifying treatments for ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan K Elliott
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leonard A Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL, USA
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17
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Kingdon C, Lowe A, Shepherd C, Nacul L. What Primary Care Practitioners Need to Know about the New NICE Guideline for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adults. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:2438. [PMID: 36553962 PMCID: PMC9778354 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122438] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The new NICE guideline for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), published in October 2021, makes significant changes in treatment recommendations. It acknowledges the complexity of this chronic medical condition, which always impacts quality of life and can be profoundly disabling, recognising the prejudice and stigma that people with ME/CFS often experience in the absence of any specific diagnostic test. The guideline outlines steps for accurate diagnosis, recognising post-exertional malaise as a core symptom; importantly, ME/CFS can now be diagnosed after just 3 months in a bid to improve long-term health outcomes. It recommends the need for individual, tailored management by a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that the wellbeing of the individual is paramount. The guideline makes clear that any programme based on fixed incremental increases in physical activity or exercise, for example, graded exercise therapy (GET), should not be offered as a treatment for ME/CFS and emphasises that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) should only be offered as a supportive intervention. Because of the rigorous methodology required by NICE Committee review and the inclusion of the testimony of people with lived experience as committee members, this guideline will influence the future diagnosis and management of ME/CFS in the UK and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Kingdon
- CureME, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Adam Lowe
- Centre for New Writing in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Charles Shepherd
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association (MEA), 7 Apollo Office Court, Buckingham MK18 4DF, UK
| | - Luis Nacul
- CureME, Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
- B.C. Women’s Hospital & Health Centre, Complex Diseases Program, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
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18
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Liu Z, Lv Z, Zhou X, Shi J, Hong S, Huang H, Lv L. Efficacy of traditional Chinese exercises in patients with post-COVID-19 chronic fatigue syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31450. [PMID: 36401484 PMCID: PMC9678398 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some patients develop long-term symptoms after Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the main symptoms. CFS is characterized by fatigue lasting for more than 6 months accompanied by sleep disorders, anxiety, and depression, which causes a certain degree of harm to both physiological and psychological aspects of the individual. Traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) are an ancient Chinese therapy and has recently been reported to be effective for CFS. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis aiming to accurately evaluate the efficacy of TCEs on post-COVID-19 CFS and provide an alternative treatment for post-COVID-19 CFS. METHODS Seven databases (PubMed, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wanfang) will be searched from establishment to August 2022, and we will only include randomized controlled trials of TCEs for post-COVID-19 CFS. Two reviews will independently include the research according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Review Manager 5.2 software will be used to analyze the accepted literature, and the relative risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) will be used as effect indicators for the outcome indicator dichotomous variables. For continuous variables, weighted mean difference (MD) and 95% CI will be used as effect indicators. The heterogeneity test will be assessed using the I2 statistic and Q statistic. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the included studies. Subgroup analysis was performed according to different TCEs, age, gender, and duration of CFS. RESULTS This systematic review and meta-analysis will evaluate the efficacy of TCEs in post-COVID-19 CFS. CONCLUSION The results of this study will provide reliable evidence for the effects of TCEs for post-COVID-19 CFS on patients' fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep, and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhizhen Lv
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xingchen Zhou
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiao Shi
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuangwei Hong
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huazhi Huang
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijiang Lv
- The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- * Correspondence: Lijiang Lv, The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Hangzhou 310053, China (e-mail: )
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19
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Bonk JS, Khedkar PH. Chronic fatigue syndrome: An old public health issue highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2022; 236:e13863. [PMID: 35906837 PMCID: PMC9353412 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia S. Bonk
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Translationale Physiologie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117BerlinGermany
| | - Pratik H. Khedkar
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institut für Translationale Physiologie, Charitéplatz 1, 10117BerlinGermany
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20
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Froehlich L, Hattesohl DBR, Jason LA, Scheibenbogen C, Behrends U, Thoma M. Medical Care Situation of People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Germany. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:646. [PMID: 34201825 PMCID: PMC8306083 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57070646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objective: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe illness with the hallmark symptom of Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM). Currently, no biomarkers or established diagnostic tests for ME/CFS exist. In Germany, it is estimated that over 300,000 people are affected by ME/CFS. Research from the United States and the UK shows that patients with ME/CFS are medically underserved, as they face barriers to medical care access and are dissatisfied with medical care. The first aim of the current research was to investigate whether patients with ME/CFS are medically underserved in Germany in terms of access to and satisfaction with medical care. Second, we aimed at providing a German-language version of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire Short Form (DSQ-SF) as a tool for ME/CFS diagnostics and research in German-speaking countries. Materials and Methods: The current research conducted an online questionnaire study in Germany investigating the medical care situation of patients with ME/CFS. The questionnaire was completed by 499 participants who fulfilled the Canadian Consensus Criteria and reported PEM of 14 h or longer. Results: Participants frequently reported geographic and financial reasons for not using the available medical services. Furthermore, they reported low satisfaction with medical care by the physician they most frequently visited due to ME/CFS. The German version of the DSQ-SF showed good reliability, a one-factorial structure and construct validity, demonstrated by correlations with the SF-36 as a measure of functional status. Conclusions: Findings provide evidence that patients with ME/CFS in Germany are medically underserved. The German-language translation of the DSQ-SF provides a brief, reliable and valid instrument to assess ME/CFS symptoms to be used for research and clinical practice in German-speaking countries. Pathways to improve the medical care of patients with ME/CFS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Froehlich
- Research Cluster DL, FernUniversität in Hagen, 58097 Hagen, Germany
| | | | - Leonard A. Jason
- Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, USA;
| | - Carmen Scheibenbogen
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Uta Behrends
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80333 München, Germany;
| | - Manuel Thoma
- German Association for ME/CFS, 20146 Hamburg, Germany; (D.B.R.H.); (M.T.)
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