The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Approach to Its Definition and Study

Fukuda, Keiji

doi:10.7326/0003-4819-121-12-199412150-00009

Cited by 4,544 publications

(4,974 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A total of 10 potentially eligible Caucasian females with CFS/ME (mean age ± SD; 46.3 ± 8.5 years) according to the 1994 CDC/Fukuda definition [12] were recruited from a single outpatient tertiary referral centre (CFS/ME Unit, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain). Five matched sedentary non-fatigued healthy controls (HCs) (mean age ± SD; 44.2 ± 6.2 years) were also included.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circulating extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory pilot study

Castro-Marrero

Serrano-Pertierra

Oliveira-Rodríguez

et al. 2018

J of Extracellular Vesicle

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is an acquired, complex and multisystem condition of unknown etiology, no established diagnostic lab tests and no universally FDA-approved drugs for treatment. CFS/ME is characterised by unexplicable disabling fatigue and is often also associated with numerous core symptoms. A growing body of evidence suggests that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a role in cell-to-cell communication, and are involved in both physiological and pathological processes. To date, no data on EV biology in CFS/ME are as yet available. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterise blood-derived EVs in CFS/ME. Blood samples were collected from 10 Spanish CFS/ME patients and 5 matched healthy controls (HCs), and EVs were isolated from the serum using a polymer-based method. Their protein cargo, size distribution and concentration were measured by Western blot and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Furthermore, EVs were detected using a lateral flow immunoassay based on biomarkers CD9 and CD63. We found that the amount of EV-enriched fraction was significantly higher in CFS/ME subjects than in HCs (p = 0.007) and that EVs were significantly smaller in CFS/ME patients (p = 0.014). Circulating EVs could be an emerging tool for biomedical research in CFS/ME. These findings provide preliminary evidence that blood-derived EVs may distinguish CFS/ME patients from HCs. This will allow offer new opportunities and also may open a new door to identifying novel potential biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for the condition.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circulating extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory pilot study

Castro-Marrero

Serrano-Pertierra

Oliveira-Rodríguez

et al. 2018

J of Extracellular Vesicle

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“…Eligibility criteria required participants to be over 18 years of age and have been diagnosed with CFS/ME (CDC criteria) or Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS). PVFS was recorded for patients who at study entry, diagnosis was either unknown or for who symptom duration had been less than four months (Fukuda criteria for CFS [1]). Combined inclusion was justified on the basis that patients with CFS and PVFS were treated alike in the programme and both syndromes have comparable key diagnostic indicators.…”

Section: Methods Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other common symptoms are muscle cramps, sleep disturbances and cognitive difficulties [1]. Patients have described experiences of social isolation, emotional turmoil and inability to engage in usual activities due to physical and mental exhaustion [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite accumulating evidence recognising it as affecting 250,000 people in the UK [4], controversy surrounding this diagnosis is reflected in CFS/ME patient experiences of feeling stigmatised and marginalised [5]. Two main diagnostic criteria commonly used to diagnose CFS/ME [6] are those of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US) [1] and Oxford [7], with the former most commonly used in the UK [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Enhanced psychological flexibility and improved quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

Densham

Williams

Johnson

et al. 2016

Journal of Psychosomatic Research

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Objective: Psychological Flexibility (PF) is a relatively new concept in physical health. It can be defined as an overarching process of being able to accept the presence of wanted/unwanted experiences, choosing whether to change or persist in behaviour in response to those experiences. Associations between processes of PF and quality of life (QoL) have been found in long-term health conditions such as chronic pain, PF has not yet been applied to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Methods:Changes in PF, fatigue severity and QoL were examined in one hundred and sixtyfive patients with CFS/ME engaged in a six-week outpatient interdisciplinary group treatment programme. Participants were assessed using a series of self-report measures at the start of the start (T1) and end of a six-week programme (T2) and at six months follow up (T3).Results: Significant changes in PF and QoL were observed from pre-treatment (T1) to post treatment follow-up (T2 and T3); changes in fatigue severity were observed from T1 to T3 only. Controlling for fatigue severity, changes in the PF dimension of activity/occupational engagement were associated with improvement in QoL at six month follow up (T3) but not at six weeks post programme (T2). Conclusion:Findings indicate an interdisciplinary group treatment approach for people with CFS/ME may be associated with improved QoL, processes of PF and fatigue severity, supporting a link between PF and long term health conditions. Results highlight links Running head: Psychological flexibility in CFS/ME 3 between PF and patient QoL in CFS/ME and the value of interdisciplinary treatment approaches in this patient population. Keywords

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“…Although prolonged and disabling fatigue is present in 10–25% of patients presenting to general practitioners,1 a diagnosis of CFS requires that patients experience persistent or relapsing fatigue for at least 6 consecutive months and have four or more of the following symptoms: postexertional malaise, impaired memory or concentration, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain, multi‐joint pain without redness or swelling, tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes, sore throat, and headache 2, 3. Although the cause of CFS remains unknown, altered central nervous system (CNS) function is believed to play an important role,4 including altered perception of fatigue and pain, deficits in the cognitive functions of concentration and memory, mood changes of depression and anxiety, and sleep disturbance 1.…”

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confidence: 99%

Progressive brain changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A longitudinal MRI study

Shan

Kwiatek

Burnet

et al. 2016

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

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PurposeTo examine progressive brain changes associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).Materials and MethodsWe investigated progressive brain changes with longitudinal MRI in 15 CFS and 10 normal controls (NCs) scanned twice 6 years apart on the same 1.5 Tesla (T) scanner. MR images yielded gray matter (GM) volumes, white matter (WM) volumes, and T1‐ and T2‐weighted signal intensities (T1w and T2w). Each participant was characterized with Bell disability scores, and somatic and neurological symptom scores. We tested for differences in longitudinal changes between CFS and NC groups, inter group differences between pooled CFS and pooled NC populations, and correlations between MRI and symptom scores using voxel based morphometry. The analysis methodologies were first optimized using simulated atrophy.ResultsWe found a significant decrease in WM volumes in the left inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF) in CFS while in NCs it was unchanged (family wise error adjusted cluster level P value, P FWE < 0.05). This longitudinal finding was consolidated by the group comparisons which detected significantly decreased regional WM volumes in adjacent regions (P FWE < 0.05) and decreased GM and blood volumes in contralateral regions (P FWE < 0.05). Moreover, the regional GM and WM volumes and T2w in those areas showed significant correlations with CFS symptom scores (P FWE < 0.05).ConclusionThe results suggested that CFS is associated with IFOF WM deficits which continue to deteriorate at an abnormal rate. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1301–1311.

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The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Approach to Its Definition and Study

Cited by 4,544 publications

References 36 publications

Circulating extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory pilot study

Circulating extracellular vesicles as potential biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory pilot study

Enhanced psychological flexibility and improved quality of life in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

Progressive brain changes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A longitudinal MRI study

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