diagnosis – Page 5 – American ME and CFS Society

Current Research Provides Insight into the Biological Basis and Diagnostic Potential for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a severe fatigue illness that occurs most commonly following a viral infection, but other physiological triggers are also implicated. It has a profound long-term impact on the life of the affected person. ME/CFS is diagnosed primarily by the exclusion of other fatigue illnesses, but the availability of multiple case definitions for ME/CFS has complicated diagnosis for clinicians.

There has been ongoing controversy over the nature of ME/CFS, but a recent detailed report from the Institute of Medicine (Academy of Sciences, USA) concluded that ME/CFS is a medical, not psychiatric illness. Importantly, aspects of the biological basis of the ongoing disease have been revealed over the last 2-3 years that promise new leads towards an effective clinical diagnostic test that may have a general application.

Our detailed molecular studies with a preclinical study of ME/CFS patients, along with the complementary research of others, have reported an elevation of inflammatory and immune processes, ongoing neuro-inflammation, and decreases in general metabolism and mitochondrial function for energy production in ME/CFS, which contribute to the ongoing remitting/relapsing etiology of the illness. These biological changes have generated potential molecular biomarkers for use in diagnostic ME/CFS testing.

Source: Sweetman E, Noble A, Edgar C, Mackay A, Helliwell A, Vallings R, Ryan M, Tate W. Current Research Provides Insight into the Biological Basis and Diagnostic Potential for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Diagnostics (Basel). 2019 Jul 10;9(3). pii: E73. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics9030073. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/9/3/73 (Full article)

Differing case definitions point to the need for an accurate diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Excerpt:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterised by unexplained and persistent or recurrent incapacitating fatigue accompanied by a variety of symptoms and substantial reductions in previous levels of occupational, educational, social and/or personal activity [1, 2]. Given the absence of biomarkers for diagnosis, ME/CFS is defined by a combination of symptoms, most of which are non-specific and common to a number of diseases and conditions.

Over 20 case definitions have been proposed, leading to large variations in sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. These diverse sets of diagnostic criteria and distinct ways in which they have been applied pose significant problems, as research results may vary considerably according to which definition is used. A particular problem occurs when overly inclusive criteria are used, since their lack of specificity may lead to considerable selection bias [3, 4]. Unfortunately, many studies, clinical trials in particular, have used broad case definitions such as the Oxford criteria [5], which requires little more than the presence of persistent significant fatigue for over 6 months and the exclusion of conditions that could explain symptoms, for a diagnosis to be made.

This problem has been highlighted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) review of evidence for the NIH Pathways to Prevention Workshop [4], which showed significant changes to the interpretation of evidence for treatment, when studies using broad case definitions, such as the Oxford criteria, are excluded from the analysis. The implications for clinical practice suggest that fit-for-all management approaches to ME/CFS, although more applicable to those who fit such broadly inclusive criteria, may be inadequate for patients who fulfil better targeted case definitions.

For patients selected using more restrictive definitions, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy (GET) and other forms of non-drug management approaches to ME/CFS, are most appropriate as adjunct therapies rather than restorative treatments, when provided by therapists with a good understanding of ME/CFS. These forms of behavioural intervention have been shown to support the well-being and rehabilitation of those suffering from many chronic and disabling conditions [6]. However, it is very important that the use of behaviourally based management strategies does not deter researchers, physicians, and other health professionals from the overarching goal of investigating the causes and pathophysiology of ME/CFS in various sub-groups and the development of specific treatments.

Source: Luis Nacul, PhD, Caroline C. Kingdon, MS, Erinna W Bowman, MSc, Hayley Curran, MS, and Eliana M Lacerda, PhD. Differing case definitions point to the need for an accurate diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Fatigue. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2017 Dec 14. Published in final edited form as: Fatigue. 2017; 5(1): 1–4. Published online 2017 Jan 8. doi: 10.1080/21641846.2017.1273863 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5730342/ (Full article)

Issues in Estimating Rates of Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in a Community-based Sample

Abstract:

There is a need to examine the prevalence of pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in the general community, as well as the relative frequency of CFS and ME among various groups (e.g., different age groups, genders, racial/ethnic groups, and socioeconomic strata) and to compare these individuals with community controls.

In the present study, we describe an ongoing NIH-funded study, which uses a multiple-stage design, beginning with a brief screening for CFS- and ME-like symptomatology, followed by a more rigorous medical and psychiatric diagnostic evaluation to determine the prevalence of pediatric CFS and ME status in the general community. We provide two case studies showing the types of data we are collecting, and how the data are being used to inform diagnostic decisions.

Source: Jason LA, Katz BZ, Mears C, Jantke R, Brown A, Sunnquist M, O’Connor K. Issues in Estimating Rates of Pediatric Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in a Community-based Sample. Avicenna J Neuropsychophysiol. 2015 Nov;2(4). pii: e37281. doi: 10.17795/ajnpp-37281. Epub 2015 Nov 21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28261672

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger

Abstract:

Children in primary school can be very disabled by chronic fatigue syndrome or ME (CFS/ME). The clinical presentation in this age group (under 12 years old) is almost identical to that in older children.

AIM: To describe children who presented to the Bath paediatric CFS/ME service under the age of 12 years.

METHOD: Inventories measuring fatigue, pain, functional disability, anxiety, family history and symptoms were collected prospectively for all children presenting to the Bath CFS/ME service between September 2004 and April 2007. Data from children who presented to the service under the age of 12 are described and compared to those who presented at age 12 or older.

RESULTS: 178 children (under the age of 18) were diagnosed as having CFS/ME using the RCPCH criteria out of 216 children assessed. The mean age at assessment for children with CFS/ME was 14.5 years old (SD 2.9). Thirty-two (16%) children were under 12 years at the time of assessment, four children were under 5 years and the youngest child was 2 years old. Children under 12 were very disabled with mean school attendance of just over 40% (average 2 days a week), Chalder fatigue score of 8.29 (CI 7.14 to 9.43 maximum possible score = 11) and pain visual analogue score of 39.7 (possible range 0-100). Comparison with children aged 12 or older showed that both groups were remarkably similar at assessment. Twenty-four out of the 26 children with complete symptom lists would have been diagnosed as having CFS/ME using the stricter adult Centers of Disease Control and prevention (CDC) criteria.

CONCLUSION: Disability in the under-12 age group was high, with low levels of school attendance, high levels of fatigue, anxiety, functional disability and pain. The clinical pattern seen is almost identical to that seen in older children, and the majority of children would also be diagnosed as having CFS/ME using the stricter adult definition.

Source: Davies S, Crawley E. Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger. Arch Dis Child. 2008 May;93(5):419-21. doi: 10.1136/adc.2007.126649. Epub 2008 Jan 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18192312

The head-up tilt test with haemodynamic instability score in diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studying patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we have developed a method that uses a head-up tilt test (HUTT) to estimate BP and HR instability during tilt, expressed as a ‘haemodynamic instability score’ (HIS).

AIM: To assess HIS sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of CFS.

DESIGN: Prospective controlled study.

METHODS: Patients with CFS (n=40), non-CFS chronic fatigue (n=73), fibromyalgia (n=41), neurally mediated syncope (n=58), generalized anxiety disorder (n=28), familial Mediterranean fever (n=50), arterial hypertension (n=28), and healthy subjects (n=59) were evaluated with a standardized head-up tilt test (HUTT). The HIS was calculated from blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) changes during the HUTT.

RESULTS: The tilt was prematurely terminated in 22% of CFS patients when postural symptoms occurred and the HIS could not be calculated. In the remainder, the median(IQR) HIS values were: CFS +2.14(4.67), non-CFS fatigue -3.98(5.35), fibromyalgia -2.81(2.62), syncope -3.7(4.36), generalized anxiety disorder -0.21(6.05), healthy controls -2.66(3.14), FMF -5.09(6.41), hypertensives -5.35(2.74) (p<0.0001 vs. CFS in all groups, except for anxiety disorder, p=NS). The sensitivity for CFS at HIS >-0.98 cut-off was 90.3% and the overall specificity was 84.5%.

DISCUSSION: There is a particular dysautonomia in CFS that differs from dysautonomia in other disorders, characterized by HIS >-0.98. The HIS can reinforce the clinician’s diagnosis by providing objective criteria for the assessment of CFS, which until now, could only be subjectively inferred.

Comment in:

The head-up tilt test for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome. [QJM. 2003]

Assessing chronic fatigue. [QJM. 2003]

Source: Naschitz JE, Rosner I, Rozenbaum M, Naschitz S, Musafia-Priselac R, Shaviv N, Fields M, Isseroff H, Zuckerman E, Yeshurun D, Sabo E. The head-up tilt test with haemodynamic instability score in diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome. QJM. 2003 Feb;96(2):133-42. http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/96/2/133.long (Full article)

Chronic fatigue–‘tired with 23 i’s’

Abstract:

Two patients, a woman aged 32 years and a man aged 49, presented with severe chronic fatigue. The woman had chronic fatigue syndrome; she recovered slowly. The man suffered from a pituitary adenoma producing follicle stimulating hormone; he recovered after transsphenoidal hypophysectomy.

In patients with chronic fatigue, the history and a thorough physical examination to exclude underlying illness are very important; secondary symptom criteria must not be overemphasized (as is the case with the Holmes and Fukuda criteria), chronic fatigue syndrome should not be diagnosed if the condition has a shorter duration than 6 months, but it should be diagnosed if the clinical picture is compatible.

The prognosis is not poor: in patients with a median disease duration of 4.5 years, 20% show significant improvement over an 18-month period.

Comment in:

Chronic fatigue syndrome. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1997

Source: van der Meer JW, Elving LD. Chronic fatigue–‘tired with 23 i’s’. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1997 Aug 2;141(31):1505-7. [Article in Dutch] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9543734

Chronic fatigue syndrome and dieting disorders: diagnosis and management problems

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: This paper illustrates the importance of conducting an initial and ongoing psychiatric assessment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in order to diagnose dieting disorders. The diagnostic issues and management problems of three case vignettes, two with anorexia nervosa and one with bulimia nervosa, are described.

METHOD: The treatment response of dieting disordered patients is generally prolonged after a previous diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome has been made and the patient and family favour a disease diagnosis.

RESULTS: Several management problems arise and family members may also be reluctant to accept a dieting disorder diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS: Early detection of dieting disorders by adequate screening and assessment is necessary so that a significant reduction in morbidity may occur.

Source: Griffiths RA, Beumont PJ, Moore GM, Touyz SW. Chronic fatigue syndrome and dieting disorders: diagnosis and management problems. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1996 Dec;30(6):834-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9034474