Research: Potential therapeutic benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in ME/CFS

Posted on 07/16/2021 by wames

Potential Therapeutic Benefit of Low Dose Naltrexone in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 Ion channels in pathophysiology and treatment, by
Helene Cabanas,  Katsuhiko Muraki,  Natalie Eaton-Fitch,  Donald Ross Staines and Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik in Front. Immunol., 13 July 2021 [doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.687806]

 

Research abstract:

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating multi-systemic chronic condition of unknown aetiology classified as an immune dysfunction syndrome and neurological disorder.

The discovery of the widely expressed Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 (TRPM3) as a nociceptor channel substantially targeted by certain opioid receptors, and its implication in calcium (Ca2+)-dependent Natural Killer (NK) cell immune functions has raised the possibility that TRPM3 may be pharmacologically targeted to treat characteristic symptoms of ME/CFS.

Naltrexone hydrochloride (NTX) acts as an antagonist to the mu (μ)-opioid receptor thus negating its inhibitory function on TRPM3. Based on the benefits reported by patients on their symptoms, low dose NTX (LDN, 3.0–5.0 mg/day) treatment seems to offer some potential benefit suggesting that its effect may be targeted towards the pathomechanism of ME/CFS.

As there is no literature confirming the efficacy of LDN for ME/CFS patients in vitro, this study investigates the potential therapeutic effect of LDN in ME/CFS patients. TRPM3 ion channel activity was measured after modulation with Pregnenolone sulfate (PregS) and ononetin in NK cells on 9 ME/CFS patients taking LDN and 9 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using whole-cell patch-clamp technique.

We report that ME/CFS patients taking LDN have restored TRPM3-like ionic currents in NK cells. Small ionic currents with a typical TRPM3-like outward rectification were measured after application of PregS, a TRPM3-agonist, in NK cells from patients taking LDN. Additionally, PregS-evoked ionic currents through TRPM3 were significantly modulated by ononetin, a TRPM3-antagonist, in NK cells from ME/CFS patients taking LDN.

These data support the hypothesis that LDN may have potential as a treatment for ME/CFS by characterising the underlying regulatory mechanisms of LDN treatment involving TRPM3 and opioid receptors in NK cells.

Finally, this study may serve for the repurpose of marketed drugs, as well as support the approval of prospective randomized clinical studies on the role and dose of NTX in treating ME/CFS patients.

 

Sydney Morning Herald: Common drug could be a simple solution to a complex disease

Griffith University researchers have identified in lab experiments that low doses of naltrexone reverse abnormal cell functions associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, which clinicians refer to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

Griffith University professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik said their finding that naltrexone could treat the disease came on top of previous research – also a world first – in which the team proved that a defect in a specific ion channel in certain cells in the body, called TRPM3, was the cause of ME.

“It’s the first time these channels have ever been found to be faulty [in ME patients], and we’ve reproduced that four separate times,” Professor Marshall-Gradisnik said.

Gritffith news: World-first laboratory study finds low-dose Naltrexone may improve ME/CFS symptoms

“This study serves to support the repurposing of marketed drugs and support prospective randomised clinical trials using Naltrexone in treating ME/CFS patients,’’ Prof Staines said.

The world-first scientific research study was achieved using the gold standard of Patch Clamp electrophysiology (PCE) which examines cellular ion currents in pathophysiology and potential pharmacotherapeutics in selected cells from ME/CFS patients and healthy control volunteers.

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Research: Shadow burden of undiagnosed ME/CFS on society (Latvia)

Posted on 07/15/2021 by wames

Shadow Burden of undiagnosed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) on society: retrospective and prospective—in light of COVID-19, by  Diana Araja, Uldis Berkis, Asja Lunga and Modra Murovska in J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10(14), 3017; [doi.org/10.3390/jcm10143017] 6 July 2021 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: Diagnosis and Treatment)

 

Research abstract:

Background:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a poorly understood, complex, multisystem disorder, with severe fatigue not alleviated by rest, and other symptoms, which lead to substantial reductions in functional activity and quality of life.

Due to the unclear aetiology, treatment of patients is complicated, but one of the initial problems is the insufficient diagnostic process. The increase in the number of undiagnosed ME/CFS patients became specifically relevant in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this research was to investigate the issues of undiagnosed potential ME/CFS patients, with a hypothetical forecast of the expansion of post-viral CFS as a consequence of COVID-19 and its burden on society.

Methods:

The theoretical research was founded on the estimation of classic factors presumably affecting the diagnostic scope of ME/CFS and their ascription to Latvian circumstances, as well as a literature review to assess the potential interaction between ME/CFS and COVID-19 as a new contributing agent.

The empirical study design consisted of two parts:

  • The first part was dedicated to a comparison of the self-reported data of ME/CFS patients with those of persons experiencing symptoms similar to ME/CFS, but without a diagnosis. This part envisaged the creation of an assumption of the ME/CFS shadow burden “status quo”, not addressing the impact of COVID-19.
  • The second part aimed to investigate data from former COVID-19 patients’ surveys on the presence of ME/CFS symptoms, 6 months after being affected by COVID-19. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were used to analyse the obtained data.

Results:

The received data assumed that the previously obtained data on the ME/CFS prevalence of 0.8% in the Latvian population are appropriate, and the literature review reports a prevalence of 0.2–1.0% in developed countries. Regarding the reciprocity of ME/CFS and COVID-19, the literature review showed a lack of research in this field.

The empirical results show quite similar self-esteem among ME/CFS patients and undiagnosed patients with longstanding disease experience, while former COVID-19 patients show a significantly lower severity of these problems.

Notably, “psychological distress (anxiety)” and “episodic fatigue” are significantly predominant symptoms reported by former COVID-19 patients in comparison with ME/CFS patients and undiagnosed patients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of our analysis predict that the total amount of direct medical costs for undiagnosed patients (out-of-pocket payments) is more than EUR 15 million p.a. (in Latvia), and this may increase by at least 15% due to the consequences of COVID-19.

Conclusions:

ME/CFS creates a significant shadow burden on society, even considering only the direct medical costs of undiagnosed patients—the number of whom in Latvia is probably at least five times higher than the number of discerned patients. Simultaneously, COVID-19 can induce long-lasting complications and chronic conditions, such as post-viral CFS, and increase this burden.

The Latvian research data assume that ME/CFS patients are not a high-risk group for COVID-19; however, COVID-19 causes ME/CFS-relevant symptoms in patients. This increases the need for monitoring of patients for even longer after recovering from COVID-19′s symptoms, in order to prevent complications and the progression of chronic diseases.

In the context of further epidemiological uncertainty, and the possibility of severe post-viral consequences, preventive measures are becoming significantly more important; an integrated diagnostic approach and appropriate treatment could reduce this burden in the future.

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Health Minister delegates reply re ME/CFS

Posted on 07/14/2021 by wames

Welsh Government replies re ME/CFS and long COVID

 

WAMES wrote to the Health Minister, Eluned Morgan MS, on 7th June about ME and long COVID. She is the first Health Minister to fail to reply herself. Instead she delegated her response to a member of the Government and Corporate Business Team, but the response clarifies some issues:

The £5 million given to Health Boards is a one-off payment to help Health Boards recover from the pandemic

“The funding can also be utilised to support other population groups affected by the pandemic e.g. those with additional rehabilitation needs due to waiting for planned care. A steering group is overseeing the implementation of this funding and one of the key principles for this group is to assure there will not be a two tier system for those with long COVID and those with similar existing conditions.

The funding will likely be used by health boards to fund Allied Health Professionals, GP’s and primary and community staff, rehabilitation support workers and develop Primary and Community infrastructure. As we are learning more about long COVID all the time it will also fund high quality, evidence based training and digital resources for all health professionals to assist in diagnosing, investigating and treating long COVID and supporting people in their treatment and rehabilitation.”

ME/CFS services are the responsibility of Health Boards

“With the increased focus upon long COVID, we expect any additional training and resource will also help support those with other fatigue related conditions as an increased focus is placed upon them.”

NICE guidance for ME/CFS

“The Welsh Government has always planned to respond and react to any changes within this guidance. As we await the publication and enter our NHS recovery phase, the Welsh Government are looking to ensure a renewed focus on long term conditions is adopted, ranging from supported self-management to diagnosis and treatment. This renewed consideration will take into account a wide range of voices and research to ensure services provide the level of care required.”

Supporting future service development

“You may be interested to know our National Clinical Framework has been published and sets out how clinical services must develop and become a learning health and care system. https://gov.wales/written-statement-national-clinical-framework-and-quality-statements. An Implementation Plan for this framework is being developed over the summer, which will outline how this revised approach will be monitored and adopted. Additionally an NHS Executive is currently being devised to create resource that will support Government to provide the strong system leadership and strategic direction which a planned system requires.”

WAMES response

The Welsh Government has restated that their role is to support NHS Wales develop services. In an ideal world the NHS would have identified the need to provide services for people with ME and sought the Welsh Government’s help. All past attempts by the Welsh Government to persuade Health Boards to cater for ME as a neurological or biomedical condition have been unsuccessful, whether focussing on ME alone or attempting to ‘ride the coattails’ of pain services, long term conditions, and now long COVID.

WAMES will continue to work with the Welsh Government once the revised NICE guidance is published and we are renewing efforts to engage with doctors’ leaders and Health Boards.  We are continuing to search for the ‘winning argument’, the words and images that will finally breach their defences and persuade them we are their responsibility and should be ignored no longer.

Watch this space for ways you can help!

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Research: Tolerability & efficacy of s.c. IgG self-treatment in ME/CFS patients with IgG/IgG subclass deficiency

Posted on 07/13/2021 by wames

Tolerability and efficacy of s.c. IgG self-treatment in ME/CFS patients with IgG/IgG subclass deficiency: a proof-of-concept study, by Carmen Scheibenbogen, Franziska Sotzny, Jelka Hartwig, Sandra Bauer, Helma Freitag, Kirsten Wittke, Wolfram Doehner, Nadja Scherbakov, Madlen Loebel, Patricia Grabowski in J Clin Med. 2021 May 29;10(11):2420 [doi: 10.3390/jcm10112420]

 

Research abstract:

Background:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex disease frequently triggered by infections. IgG substitution may have therapeutic effect both by ameliorating susceptibility to infections and due to immunomodulatory effects.

Methods:

We conducted a proof of concept open trial with s.c. IgG in 17 ME/CFS patients suffering from recurrent infections and mild IgG or IgG subclass deficiency to assess tolerability and efficacy. Patients received s.c. IgG therapy of 0.8 g/kg/month for 12 months with an initial 2 months dose escalation phase of 0.2 g and 0.4 g/kg/month.

Results:

Primary outcome was improvement of fatigue assessed by Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ; decrease ≥ 6 points) and of physical functioning assessed by SF-36 (increase ≥ 25 points) at month 12. Of 12 patients receiving treatment per protocol 5 had a clinical response at month 12. Two additional patients had an improvement according to this definition at months 6 and 9. In four patients treatment was ceased due to adverse events and in one patient due to disease worsening. We identified LDH and soluble IL-2 receptor as potential biomarker for response.

Conclusion:

Our data indicate that self-administered s.c. IgG treatment is feasible and led to clinical improvement in a subset of ME/CFS patients.

Limitations

Taken together, our study has several limitations, including a small patient number and a lack of a control arm. The strength of this study is to show the feasibility of a dose escalation s.c. IgG home treatment in ME/CFS patients. Furthermore, it provides first evidence for efficacy of an intermediate dose s.c. IgG treatment and potential biomarkers for response. This warrants an RCT study.

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Research: Genetic study of T cell receptor in ME/CFS

Posted on 07/09/2021 by wames

Genetic study of T cell receptor (TCR) in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), by Marthe Ueland in University of Oslo, June 21, 2021

 

Research abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling disease affecting patients physically and cognitively by e.g fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), pain, memory-loss and concentration difficulties. It is currently no treatment for ME/CFS, and manifestation differs between individuals, which makes it difficult to identify its aetiology. Multiple genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to its development, thus categorizing it as a complex disease, which also is the case for autoimmune diseases (AID).

A hypothesis that ME/CFS is an immune-mediated disease has been suggested and are supported by various findings. Immunological alterations such as altered T cell response have been reported in patients. Additionally, has an increased occurrence of autoimmune diseases (AIDs) been observed in families with ME/CFS. The hypothesis is further supported by an identified association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II and ME/CFS, a hallmark for most AIDs.

As HLA molecules present antigens to the T cell receptor (TCR), this receptor is of interest for further investigation. Furthermore, studies of TCRs have shown that both HLA molecules and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the germline DNA can influence the gene usage in TCRs. Associations have been found between the TCR α chain

(TRA) region and immune-mediated diseases. For example has a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted in narcolepsy, which also has an HLA class II-association, identified associations (p<10-21) to three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TRA (rs1154155, rs12587781 and rs1263646), which was the first documented involvement of this region in disease. An additional small GWAS in ME/CFS showed association between three SNPs in TRA (rs17255510, rs11157573 and rs10144138) and the disease (adjusted p<0.05).

The aim of this thesis was to find methods that can be used to study genetic variants in the T cell receptor α region (TRA) to identify possible associations with ME/CFS. This was done by genotyping and sequencing. Association analysis of 30 SNPs genotyped using Illumina Immunochip (Ichip) and Taqman assays in a Norwegian cohort of 408 ME/CFS cases and 721 controls failed to show any association between TRA and ME/CFS. Since these included two of the SNPs previously associated with ME/CFS (rs17255510 and rs11157573), we did not replicate the findings.

Analysis of Ichip´s coverage of the TRA gene showed that it was inadequate with only 27 SNPs covered in this region, although 737 has been identified in the 1000 genomes CEU dataset. The TCR genetic regions are generally understudied due to homology and repetitive regions, which is problematic to cover with existing methods. Hence, two sequencing protocols were established in the TRA region. PacBio´s No-amp targeted sequencing utilizing the CRISPR-Cas9 system with SMRT sequencing was tested for fragments ranging from 4.8 to 20.1 kb, however, the highest read depth was obtained for fragments <6 kb. We conclude that this protocol is not suited for screening but can be a good complement to other sequencing methods. Long-range PCR with Illumina Miseq sequencing resulted in read depth able to detect genetic variant for some fragments, however, the approach required a lot of optimization. The obtained sequences were not studied in detail during this work and would therefore be of interest to investigate further to identify genetic variants. Future studies in this region would include targeted enrichment using capture probes.

In conclusion, we did not detect any association between ME/CFS and TRA, however, we revealed that the genetic variants tested thus far does not capture the genetic variation in this region. Furthermore, the sequencing protocols tested pave the way for further optimization and characterization of TRA by sequencing.

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Chest strap system monitors severity of CFS

Posted on 07/09/2021 by wames

Chest strap system monitors severity of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, by Conn Hastings in Medgadget, July 8 2021

 

Researchers at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain, have developed a system to monitor the severity of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. The system includes a commercial chest strap sensor that measures heart rate variability and a paired app that collects, collates, and presents these data, allowing patients to monitor their condition and share information with their clinician.

ME is a debilitating condition, characterized by severe fatigue that interferes with daily activities. The prevalence of ME is expected to drastically increase in the coming years as it appears to be a common component of persistent COVID-19, also known as ‘long COVID’. ME may be triggered by persistent COVID-19, along with infection with other viruses, and some expect it to be a significant part of the wave of long COVID cases currently developing around the world.

The condition does not currently have diagnostic biomarkers or effective treatments, and historically has been largely overlooked and dismissed by medical science, so techniques to measure disease severity and track patient progress are surely welcome.

Read the full article

Research paper: Analysis of gender differences in HRV of patients with M/CFS using mobile-health technology

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Biomarker research: Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in ME/CFS

Posted on 07/09/2021 by wames

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome, by Wakiro Sato, Hirohiko Ono, Takaji Matsutani, Masakazu Nakamura, Isu Shin, Keiko Amano, Ryuji Suzuki, Takashi Yamamura in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, Vol 95, July 2021, Pages 245-255

 

Highlights

  • ME/CFS is characterized by skewed B cell receptor gene usage.
  • Upregulation of specific IGHV genes correlated to infection-related episodes at onset.
  • Plasmablasts of ME/CFS patients upregulated interferon response genes.
  • B cell receptor repertoire analysis can provide a useful diagnostic marker in ME/CFS.

Research abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating condition characterized by fatigue and post-exertional malaise, accompanied by various signs of neurological and autonomic dysfunction. ME/CFS is often triggered by an infectious episode and associated with an aberrant immune system.

By CNX OpenStax - http://cnx.org/contents/GFy_h8cu@10.53:rZudN6XP@2/Introduction, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49935883

Structure of the B cell receptor

Here we report that ME/CFS is a disorder characterized by skewed B cell receptor gene usage. By applying a next-generation sequencing to determine the clone-based IGHV/IGHD/IGHJ repertoires, we revealed a biased usage of several IGHV genes in peripheral blood B cells from ME/CFS patients. Results of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further indicated a possibility of distinguishing patients from healthy controls, based on the skewed B cell repertoire.

Meanwhile, B cell clones using IGHV3-30 and IGHV3-30-3 genes were more frequent in patients with an obvious infection-related episode at onset, and correlated to expression levels of interferon response genes in plasmablasts.

Collectively, these results imply that B cell responses in ME/CFS are directed against an infectious agents or priming antigens induced before disease onset.

From the Discussion:

In conclusion, we demonstrated that specific BCR IGH usage is selectively upregulated in ME/CFS patients compared with HCs. Among the upregulated genes, IGHV3-30/3-30-3 are associated with an infection-related episode before disease onset, with relatively short disease duration and with the expression of type 1 IFN response genes in PB. BCR repertoire analysis could be developed as a powerful tool to help diagnose ME/CFS. It may also be used to predict the efficacy of B cell-targeted therapy, which is effective in a subgroup of patients.

NCNP: Discovery of Immune Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) based on B cell receptor repertoire analysis

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Bioenergetic & proteomic profiling of immune cells in ME/CFS patients

Posted on 07/08/2021 by wames

Bioenergetic and proteomic profiling of immune cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: an exploratory study, by Paula Fernandez-Guerra, Ana C Gonzalez-Ebsen, Susanne E Boonen, Julie Courraud, Niels Gregersen, Jesper Mehlsen, Johan Palmfeldt, Rikke K J Olsen, Louise Schouborg Brinth in Biomolecules 2021 Jun 29;11(7):961 [doi: 10.3390/biom11070961]

 

Research abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a heterogeneous, debilitating, and complex disease. Along with disabling fatigue, ME/CFS presents an array of other core symptoms, including autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, sustained inflammation, altered energy metabolism, and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Here, we evaluated patients’ symptomatology and the mitochondrial metabolic parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma from a clinically well-characterised cohort of six ME/CFS patients compared to age- and gender-matched controls.

We performed a comprehensive cellular assessment using bioenergetics (extracellular flux analysis) and protein profiles (quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics) together with self-reported symptom measures of fatigue, ANS dysfunction, and overall physical and mental well-being.

This ME/CFS cohort presented with severe fatigue, which correlated with the severity of ANS dysfunction and overall physical well-being. PBMCs from ME/CFS patients showed significantly lower mitochondrial coupling efficiency. They exhibited proteome alterations, including altered mitochondrial metabolism, centred on pyruvate dehydrogenase and coenzyme A metabolism, leading to a decreased capacity to provide adequate intracellular ATP levels.

Overall, these results indicate that PBMCs from ME/CFS patients have a decreased ability to fulfill their cellular energy demands.

From study Discussion (4):

…in this study, we aimed to recruit a homogenous group of ME/CFS patients and applied strategies for personalised medicine by performing many tests in a few individuals to shed light on molecular mechanisms of disease in these individuals.

Despite the small sample size, our data indicate a dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism centred on PDH and CoA metabolism, which supports findings from other and larger ME/CFS cohorts [29].

Interestingly, between 35 and 40% of ME/CFS patients experience significant improvement in their health when treated with dichloroacetate, a well-known activator of PDH [74,75]. These open-label studies need further follow-up; however, together with the present study and the previous metabolomics and proteomic studies of independent ME/CFS cohorts, they support dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism as an important feature of ME/CFS pathology.

To some degree, abnormalities in bioenergetics parameters of blood cells have shown to correlate with the severity of ME/CFS symptoms [31,76]. Similarly, coupling efficiency correlated with symptom severity and disease duration in our cohort of ME/CFS patients.

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Female patients with ME/CFS or idiopathic chronic fatigue: comparison of responses to a 2-day CPET protocol

Posted on 07/07/2021 by wames

Female patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue: comparison of responses to a Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing protocol, by C Linda M C van Campen, Frans C Visser in Healthcare (Basel) 2021 Jun 5;9(6):682 [doi: 10.3390/healthcare9060682] This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport and Exercise Medicine

 

Research abstract

Introduction:

Multiple studies have shown that peak oxygen consumption is reduced in the majority of ME/CFS patients, using the golden standard for measuring exercise intolerance: cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). A 2-day CPET protocol has shown different results on day 2 in ME/CFS patients compared to sedentary controls. No comparison is known between ME/CFS and idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) for 2-day CPET protocols. We compared ME/CFS patients with patients with chronic fatigue who did not fulfil the ME/CFS criteria in a female population and hypothesized a different pattern of response would be present during the 2nd day CPET.

Methods:

Fifty-one female patients with ICF completed a 2-day CPET protocol and were compared to an age/sex-matched group of 50 female ME/CFS patients. Measures of oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, workload (Work), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) were collected at maximal (peak) and ventilatory threshold (VT) intensities.

Results:

Baseline characteristics for both groups were similar for age, BMI, BSA, and disease duration. A significance difference was present in the number of patients with fibromyalgia (seven ME/CFS patients vs zero ICF patients). Heart rate at rest and the RER did not differ significantly between CPET 1 and CPET 2. All other CPET parameters at the ventilatory threshold and maximum exercise differed significantly (p-value between 0.002 and <0.0001). ME/CFS patients showed a deterioration of performance on CPET2 as reflected by VO2 and workload at peak exercise and ventilatory threshold, whereas ICF patients showed improved performance on CPET2 with no significant change in peak workload.

Conclusion: This study confirms that female ME/CFS patients have a reduction in exercise capacity in response to a second day CPET. These results are similar to published results in female ME/CFS populations.

Patients diagnosed with ICF show a different response on day 2, more similar to sedentary and healthy controls, [suggesting that despite fatigue complaints of similar severity, a different disease is present and ICF might be trainable, whereas ME/CFS is not. – comment from full paper]

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Medical care situation of people with ME/CFS in Germany

Posted on 07/06/2021 by wames

Medical care situation of people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis /Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Germany, by Laura Froehlich, Daniel B.R. Hattesohl, Leonard A. Jason, Carmen Scheibenbogen, Uta Behrends, Manuel Thoma in Medicina Vol 57, #7, p 646, June 23, 2021 [doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070646] This article belongs to the Special Issue ME/CFS: Causes, Clinical Features and Diagnosis

 

Research 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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