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Hulens M, Dankaerts W, Rasschaert R, Bruyninckx F, De Mulder P, Bervoets C. The Link Between Empty Sella Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Role of Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure. J Pain Res 2023; 16:205-219. [PMID: 36721849 PMCID: PMC9884441 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s394321] [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] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is not yet elucidated. Hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is reflected in the hormonal disturbances found in FM and CFS. Some study groups have introduced a novel hypothesis that moderate or intermittent intracranial hypertension may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of FM and CFS. In these conditions, hormonal disturbances may be caused by the mechanical effect of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, which hampers blood flow in the pituitary gland. Severe intracranial pressure may compress the pituitary gland, resulting in primary empty sella (ES), potentially leading to pituitary hormone deficiencies. The aim of this narrative review was to explore whether similar hormonal changes and symptoms exist between primary ES and FM or CFS and to link them to cerebrospinal fluid pressure dysregulation. A thorough search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases and the reference lists of the included studies revealed that several clinical characteristics were more prevalent in primary ES, FM or CFS patients than in controls, including increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, obesity, female sex, headaches and migraine, fatigue, visual disturbances (visual acuity and eye motility abnormalities), vestibulocochlear disturbances (vertigo and neurosensorial hearing loss), and bodily pain (radicular pain and small-fiber neuropathy). Furthermore, challenge tests of the pituitary gland showed similar abnormalities in all three conditions: blunted adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, growth hormone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid stimulating hormone responses and an increased prolactin response. The findings of this narrative review provide further support for the hypothesis that moderately or intermittently increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure is involved in the pathogenesis of FM and CFS and should stimulate further research into the etiopathogenesis of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mieke Hulens
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Correspondence: Mieke Hulens, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Overwegstraat 14, 3051 Sint-Joris-Weert, Leuven, Belgium, Tel +32 477 338003, Fax +32 16 329197, Email
| | - Wim Dankaerts
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Frans Bruyninckx
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter De Mulder
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Therapy, Imelda Hospital, Bonheiden, Belgium
| | - Chris Bervoets
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,Department Adult Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center of KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kasimir F, Toomey D, Liu Z, Kaiping AC, Ariza ME, Prusty BK. Tissue specific signature of HHV-6 infection in ME/CFS. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:1044964. [PMID: 36589231 PMCID: PMC9795011 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1044964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
First exposure to various human herpesviruses (HHVs) including HHV-6, HCMV and EBV does not cause a life-threatening disease. In fact, most individuals are frequently unaware of their first exposure to such pathogens. These herpesviruses acquire lifelong latency in the human body where they show minimal genomic activity required for their survival. We hypothesized that it is not the latency itself but a timely, regionally restricted viral reactivation in a sub-set of host cells that plays a key role in disease development. HHV-6 (HHV-6A and HHV-6B) and HHV-7 are unique HHVs that acquire latency by integration of the viral genome into sub-telomeric region of human chromosomes. HHV-6 reactivation has been linked to Alzheimer's Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and many other diseases. However, lack of viral activity in commonly tested biological materials including blood or serum strongly suggests tissue specific localization of active HHV-6 genome. Here in this paper, we attempted to analyze active HHV-6 transcripts in postmortem tissue biopsies from a small cohort of ME/CFS patients and matched controls by fluorescence in situ hybridization using a probe against HHV-6 microRNA (miRNA), miR-aU14. Our results show abundant viral miRNA in various regions of the human brain and associated neuronal tissues including the spinal cord that is only detected in ME/CFS patients and not in controls. Our findings provide evidence of tissue-specific active HHV-6 and EBV infection in ME/CFS, which along with recent work demonstrating a possible relationship between herpesvirus infection and ME/CFS, provide grounds for renewed discussion on the role of herpesviruses in ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Kasimir
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Danny Toomey
- HHV-6 Foundation, Santa Barbara, CA, United States
| | - Zheng Liu
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Agnes C. Kaiping
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Eugenia Ariza
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics (CBG), Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research (IBMR), The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Bhupesh K. Prusty
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Impact of Somatic Vulnerability, Psychosocial Robustness and Injury-Related Factors on Fatigue following Traumatic Brain Injury-A Cross-Sectional Study. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061733. [PMID: 35330057 PMCID: PMC8951420 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is a common symptom after traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and a crucial target of rehabilitation. The subjective and multifactorial nature of fatigue necessitates a biopsychosocial approach in understanding the mechanisms involved in its development. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive exploration of factors relevant to identification and rehabilitation of fatigue following TBI. Ninety-six patients with TBI and confirmed intracranial injuries were assessed on average 200 days post-injury with regard to injury-related factors, several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) of fatigue, neuropsychological measures, and PROMS of implicated biopsychosocial mechanisms. Factor analytic approaches yielded three underlying factors, termed Psychosocial Robustness, Somatic Vulnerability and Injury Severity. All three dimensions were significantly associated with fatigue in multiple regression analyses and explained 44.2% of variance in fatigue. Post hoc analyses examined univariate contributions of the associations between the factors and fatigue to illuminate the relative contributions of each biopsychosocial variable. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
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Løke D, Løvstad M, Andelic N, Andersson S, Ystrom E, Vassend O. The role of pain and psychological distress in fatigue: a co-twin and within-person analysis of confounding and causal relations. Health Psychol Behav Med 2022; 10:160-179. [PMID: 35173998 PMCID: PMC8843118 DOI: 10.1080/21642850.2022.2033121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Løke
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen-Bjornemyr, Norway
| | - Marianne Løvstad
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesoddtangen-Bjornemyr, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nada Andelic
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Stein Andersson
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Psychosomatic and CL Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eivind Ystrom
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olav Vassend
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Campbell KA, Ford-Gilboe M, Kennedy K, Jackson K, Mantler T, Oudshoorn A. Women’s experiences of navigating chronic pain within the context of living with an episodic disability. WOMEN'S HEALTH 2022; 18:17455057221103994. [PMID: 35726445 PMCID: PMC9218444 DOI: 10.1177/17455057221103994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Of the 6.2 million Canadians aged 15 years or older who live with disability, 61% have disabilities that are not static or continuous. These dynamic conditions are known as episodic disabilities and many disproportionately experienced by women. Chronic pain is also a common feature associated with many episodic disabilities. The purpose of this article is to explore the experience of chronic pain for women living with episodic disabilities. Methods: This qualitative study draws on the tenets of interpretive description. Thirty women, with one or more episodic disabilities and chronic pain, participated in a semi-structured interview and answered questions about their chronic pain levels, using Von Korff et al.’s graded chronic pain scale. Results: Women experienced gendered treatment within the healthcare system and reported that they were frequently dismissed by their healthcare providers, most often physicians. Healthcare professionals’ practices around pain assessment were another common challenge for women. Women who were able to access financial support from government disability programs were more likely to access allied health professionals. Many of the holistic strategies that women researched and used to treat chronic pain were self-enacted. While diet, exercise, and other self-care activities are general health promotion strategies for all, they were seen as essential aspects of living that helped women have control over chronic pain and modifying the course of their episodic disability. Conclusion: Living with chronic pain and an episodic disability is complex. The findings of this study present the impact that gendered treatment in the healthcare system has on women who live with an episodic disability and experience chronic pain. It is evident that the current system did not meet the needs of the women in our study and system changes could result in better experiences, more disclosure of alternative therapies, and increase women’s agency in their care.
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Xu H. SCIENTIFIC PHYSICAL TRAINING ON THE CLINICAL RECOVERY OF CHRONIC FATIGUE INJURY. REV BRAS MED ESPORTE 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1517-8692202127082021_0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction: Chronic fatigue syndrome is also called chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. This disease has now become a common disease in modern medicine. Objective: To explore and analyze the effect of exercise therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome. Methods: We selected 70 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome for the experiment. The exercise group performed gradual exercise, and the control group was inactive. Results: Appropriate and regular exercise can achieve ideal results in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Conclusion: Studying methods to prevent and recover from fatigue syndrome will help in understanding and focusing attention on the topic of fatigue, as well as being aware of the methods of self-prevention of fatigue syndrome. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.
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Brodwall EM, Pedersen M, Asprusten TT, Wyller VBB. Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection. Scand J Pain 2020; 20:765-773. [PMID: 32892183 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a trigger of Chronic Fatigue (CF) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate pain symptoms and pressure pain thresholds in fatigued and non-fatigued adolescents six months after acute EBV-infection, and in healthy controls. This study is part of the CEBA-project (CF following acute EBV infection in adolescents). Methods A total of 195 adolescents (12-20 years old) that had undergone an acute EBV infection six months prior to assessment were divided into fatigued (EBV CF+) and non-fatigued (EBV CF-) cases based on questionnaire score. The EBV CF+ cases were further sub-divided according to case definitions of CFS. In addition, a group of seventy healthy controls was included. Symptoms were mapped with questionnaires. Pressure pain thresholds were measured through pressure algometry. One way ANOVA were used for between-group analyses. Linear regression analyses were used to explore associations between Pediatric Quality of Life (dependent variable), pain symptoms and other variables within the EBV (CF+) group. Results The EBV CF+ group had significantly higher scores for pain symptoms as compared with the EBV CF- group and healthy controls, but pressure pain threshold did not differ significantly. The number of pain symptoms as well as pain severity were strongly and independently associated with quality of life. Conclusions CF and CFS following acute EBV-infection in adolescents is characterized by high pain symptom burden, which in turn is associated with a decline in quality of life. Pain in CF and CFS is of considerable clinical importance, and should be a focal point for further investigation and intervention in these patient groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Myrstad Brodwall
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Maria Pedersen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tarjei Tørre Asprusten
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
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Pedersen M. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain conditions - vitally protective systems gone wrong. Scand J Pain 2019; 19:651-657. [PMID: 31256069 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2019-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and chronic pain syndromes represent major health problems in society. These conditions are disabling and strongly associated with low quality of life. Even though CFS and chronic pain are separate conditions, they have strikingly much in common. Both pain and fatigue are important sensations with protective value in an acute situation. It can be life-threatening not to be aware of them. However, as these symptoms become chronic, their protective roles decrease and instead they become health problems. Our understanding of the perception of pain and fatigue has shifted through the years, from a dualistic biomedical point of view to a holistic biopsychosocial understanding. This combined with the increasing evidence of how our brain works in a predictive/anticipatory manner, gives a deeper understanding of why treatments like cognitive behavior therapies and stress relief therapies can help these patients recover to better health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pedersen
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway
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Kristiansen MS, Stabursvik J, O'Leary EC, Pedersen M, Asprusten TT, Leegaard T, Osnes LT, Tjade T, Skovlund E, Godang K, Wyller VBB. Clinical symptoms and markers of disease mechanisms in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection: An exploratory cross-sectional study. Brain Behav Immun 2019; 80:551-563. [PMID: 31039432 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a trigger of chronic fatigue (CF) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore clinical symptoms as well as markers of disease mechanisms in fatigued and non-fatigued adolescents 6 months after EBV-infection, and in healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 200 adolescents (12-20 years old) with acute EBV infection were assessed 6 months after the initial infectious event and divided into fatigued (EBV CF+) and non-fatigued (EBV CF-) cases based on questionnaire score. The EBV CF+ cases were further sub-divided according to case definitions of CFS. In addition, a group of 70 healthy controls with similar distribution of sex and age was included. Symptoms were mapped with a questionnaire. Laboratory assays included EBV PCR and serology; detailed blood leukocyte phenotyping and serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein; and plasma and urine cortisol and catecholamines. Assessment of autonomic activity was performed with continuous, non-invasive monitoring of cardiovascular variables during supine rest, controlled breathing and upright standing. Differences between EBV CF+ and EBV CF- were assessed by simple and multiple linear regression adjusting for sex as well as symptoms of depression and anxiety. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. This study is part of the CEBA-project (Chronic fatigue following acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents). RESULTS The EBV CF+ group had significantly higher scores for all clinical symptoms. All markers of infection and most immune, neuroendocrine and autonomic markers were similar across the EBV CF+ and EBV CF- group. However, the EBV CF+ group had slightly higher serum C-reactive protein (0.48 vs 0.43 mg/L, p = 0.031, high-sensitive assay), total T cell (CD3+) count (median 1573 vs 1481 × 106 cells/L, p = 0.012), plasma norepinephrine (1420 vs 1113 pmol/L, p = 0.01) and plasma epinephrine (363 vs 237 nmol/L, p = 0.032); lower low-frequency:high frequency (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability at supine rest (0.63 vs 0.76, p = 0.008); and an attenuated decline in LF/HF ratio during controlled breathing (-0.11 vs -0.25, p = 0.002). Subgrouping according to different CFS diagnostic criteria did not significantly alter the results. Within the EBV CF+ group, there were no strong correlations between clinical symptoms and markers of disease mechanisms. In a multiple regression analysis, serum CRP levels were independently associated with serum cortisol (B = 4.5 × 10-4, p < 0.001), urine norepinephrine (B = 9.6 × 10-2, p = 0.044) and high-frequency power of heart rate variability (B = -3.7 × 10-2, p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS In adolescents, CF and CFS 6 months after acute EBV infection are associated with high symptom burden, but no signs of increased viral load and only subtle alterations of immune, autonomic, and neuroendocrine markers of which no one is strongly correlated with symptom scores. A slight sympathetic over parasympathetic predominance is evident in CF and might explain slightly increased CRP levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Skjerven Kristiansen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Julie Stabursvik
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Elise Catriona O'Leary
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Maria Pedersen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tarjei Tørre Asprusten
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Truls Leegaard
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Microbiology and Infection Control, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | | | | | - Eva Skovlund
- Dept. of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway
| | - Kristin Godang
- Section of Specialized Endocrinology, Dept. of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review aims to determine the recent evidence regarding cause, impact, effective treatment and prognosis of children and young people (CYP) affected by chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) at a time when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines in the United Kingdom are being reviewed and more research is called for worldwide. RECENT FINDINGS CFS/ME is a debilitating illness with no clear cause. This review describes the heterogeneous clinical picture and the effects on the young person and family. Comorbidities such as mood disorders and pain are discussed including evidence for treatment. The various aetiological hypotheses are discussed and the precipitating factors identified. The evidence base is limited regarding effective treatment for CYP with CFS/ME, particularly the severely affected group. A large trial of online cognitive behavioural therapy with teenagers is being explored in the United Kingdom. The Lightning Process has been shown to be effective when added to medical care. SUMMARY Current evidence is hampered by different diagnostic criteria, the heterogeneous nature of the condition, and limited number of small studies. There is a clear need for more research and larger studies exploring the cause of and most effective treatment for CYP with CFS/ME.
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Breivik H. Systemic inflammation firmly documented in chronic pain patients by measurement of increased levels of many of 92 inflammation-related proteins in blood - normalizing as the pain condition improves with CBT-based multimodal rehabilitation at Uppsala Pain Center. Scand J Pain 2019; 19:223-224. [PMID: 30920957 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2019-2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harald Breivik
- Department of Pain Management and Research, Oslo University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine of Oslo University, Oslo, Norway
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