A Systematic Review of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Griffith, Jeffrey K.; Zarrouf, Fahd A.

doi:10.4088/pcc.v10n0206

Cited by 87 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 109 publications

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“…Special attention regarding diagnostic criteria was given to chronic fatigue syndrome [19] and fibromyalgia [20], which share some common symptoms with ED. Patients who fulfil the criteria for these diagnoses were referred to other clinics and thus not included in this study.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Course of mental symptoms in patients with stress-related exhaustion: does sex or age make a difference?

2012

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BackgroundLong-term sick leave due to mental health problems, especially among women, is a substantial problem in many countries, and a major reason for this is thought to be psychosocial stress. The recovery period of different patient groups with stress-related mental health problems can differ considerably. We have studied the course of mental health symptoms during 18 months of multimodal treatment in relation to sex and age in a group of patients with stress-related exhaustion.MethodsThe study group includes 232 patients (68% women) referred to a stress clinic and who fulfilled the criteria for Exhaustion Disorder (ED). The majority also fulfilled diagnostic criteria for depression and/or anxiety; this was similar among women and men. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, three, six, 12 and 18 months by the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD). A total SMBQ mean score of ≥ 4 was used to indicate clinical burnout, which correlates well with the clinical diagnosis of ED.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between women and men or between young and old patients in the self-reported symptoms at baseline. The proportion that had high burnout scores decreased over time, but one-third still had symptoms of clinical burnout after 18 months. Symptoms indicating probable depression or anxiety (present in 34% and 65% of the patients at baseline, respectively) declined more rapidly, in most cases within the first three months, and were present only in one out of 10 after 18 months. The course of illness was not related to sex or age. The duration of symptoms before seeking health care, but not the level of education or co-morbid depression, was a predictor of recovery from symptoms of burnout after 18 months.ConclusionsThe course of mental illness in patients seeking specialist care for stress-related exhaustion was not related to sex or age. The burden of mental symptoms is high and similar for men and women, and at the 18 month follow-up, one-third of the study group still showed symptoms of burnout. A long duration of symptoms before consultation was associated with a prolonged time of recovery, which underlines the importance of early detection of stress-related symptoms.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Course of mental symptoms in patients with stress-related exhaustion: does sex or age make a difference?

2012

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“…by excluding any active or suspected medical or psychiatric affection and substance abuse as well as severe obesity as defined by a body mass index equal to or greater than 45 kg/m 2 [2]. The disorder is now a widely recognized problem and the diagnosis can be made after alternative medical and psychiatric causes of chronic fatiguing illness have been excluded [3]. Although there is still lack of a specific laboratory test or marker to identify it, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) should be considered when a patient presents with prolonged fatigue lasting 6 or more months (major criteria) and with at least four of the following symptoms (minor criteria): self-reported impairment in short-term memory or concentration difficulties, sore throat, tender cervical or auxiliary lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without joint swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 h [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lipid and protein oxidation in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Tomić¹,

Brkić²,

Marić³

et al. 2012

aoms

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IntroductionChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a widely recognized problem, characterized by prolonged, debilitating fatigue and a characteristic group of accompanying symptoms, that occurs four times more frequently in women than in men. The aim of the study was to determine the existence of oxidative stress and its possible consequences in female patients with CFS.Material and methodsTwenty-four women aged 15-45 who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for CFS with no comorbidities were recruited and were age matched to a control group of 19 healthy women. After conducting the routine laboratory tests, levels of the lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein oxidation protein carbonyl (CO) were determined.ResultsThe CFS group had higher levels of triglycerides (p = 0.03), MDA (p = 0.03) and CO (p = 0.002) and lower levels of HDL cholesterol (p = 0.001) than the control group. There were no significant differences in the levels of total protein, total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol.ConclusionsThe CFS group had an unfavorable lipid profile and signs of oxidative stress induced damage to lipids and proteins. These results might be indicative of early proatherogenic processes in this group of patients who are otherwise at low risk for atherosclerosis. Antioxidant treatment and life style changes are indicated for women with CFS, as well as closer observation in order to assess the degree of atherosclerosis.

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“…Since the left gonadal veins drain via the left renal vein, this may also present as testicular pain in men, and left lower quadrant abdominal pain in women. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue and a combination of several other symptoms that can result in significant morbidity [21]. Multiple biologic, genetic, infectious and psychological mechanisms have been proposed, but the etiologyof CFS is still not well-understood, and it may be multifactorial [6,21].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue and a combination of several other symptoms that can result in significant morbidity [21]. Multiple biologic, genetic, infectious and psychological mechanisms have been proposed, but the etiologyof CFS is still not well-understood, and it may be multifactorial [6,21]. The association between fatigue and NS is not well understood, but is thought to involve an elevated left renal vein-inferior vena cava pressure gradient [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Tough Nut to Crack: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Abdominal Pain Attributed to Nutcracker Syndrome

M¹,

Meeks²,

M³

2017

Int Med Care

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Nutcracker phenomenon refers to entrapment of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and aorta. This can result in elevated left renal vein pressure and reduced renal perfusion. Nutcracker syndrome, which refers to symptoms associated with the above phenomenon, usually presents with acute onset hematuria and abdominal pain, but more rarely, may present as chronic fatigue syndrome. Here, we present a case of a 24-year-old male with a seven-year history of chronic fatigue syndrome, which was subsequently found to have imaging characteristics consistent with nutcracker phenomenon. His fatigue markedly improved after insertion of a left renal vein stent.

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A Systematic Review of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Cited by 87 publications

References 109 publications

Course of mental symptoms in patients with stress-related exhaustion: does sex or age make a difference?

Course of mental symptoms in patients with stress-related exhaustion: does sex or age make a difference?

Lipid and protein oxidation in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

A Tough Nut to Crack: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Abdominal Pain Attributed to Nutcracker Syndrome

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