Fatigue in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and systemic sclerosis (SSc): similarities with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). A critical review of the literature

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia: PR3-versus MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis, an exploratory cross-sectional study

“…Persistent fatigue is frequently associated with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs), 1 , 2 , 3 and has a profound impact on patient's quality of life. Studies investigating fatigue in SARDs however, lack consistency, with investigators using various different tools to define fatigue, in markedly varied patient groups.…”

“…Studies investigating fatigue in SARDs however, lack consistency, with investigators using various different tools to define fatigue, in markedly varied patient groups. 3 This has resulted in poor clinical management of fatigue in these patients, with patients often feeling dismissed by their physicians. 4 Though many studies have investigated fatigue in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2 , 5 Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 5 and systemic sclerosis (SSc), 1 much less has been documented about fatigue in primary systemic vasculitis (PSV), a concerning finding since the prevalence of fatigue in PSV is high (up to 91.2%).…”

“… 4 Though many studies have investigated fatigue in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2 , 5 Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 5 and systemic sclerosis (SSc), 1 much less has been documented about fatigue in primary systemic vasculitis (PSV), a concerning finding since the prevalence of fatigue in PSV is high (up to 91.2%). 3 …”

“…In PSV, fatigue has been shown to be associated with factors such as pain, poor sleep quality, anxiety and depression, and less so with disease specific factors such as disease activity/severity or organ involvement. 3 Treatment of patients with immunosuppressive drugs has only shown mild improvement in fatigue levels in some patients, with no improvement in others. 6 , 7 The symptoms associated with fatigue in PSV, are similar to the symptoms experienced by patients with either myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) 8 or fibromyalgia.…”

“… 9 Though not identical, a number of similarities are present in various pathways which result in immune and metabolic dysregulation in PSV and ME/CFS. 3 …”