Tag: juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Identifying disrupted biological factors and patient-tailored interventions for chronic fatigue in adolescents and young adults with Q-Fever Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (QFS-study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with single-subject experimental case series design

Abstract:

Background: Chronic fatigue with a debilitating effect on daily life is a frequently reported symptom among adolescents and young adults with a history of Q-fever infection (QFS). Persisting fatigue after infection may have a biological origin with psychological and social factors contributing to the disease phenotype. This is consistent with the biopsychosocial framework, which considers fatigue to be the result of a complex interaction between biological, psychological, and social factors. In line, similar manifestations of chronic fatigue are observed in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Cognitive behavioral therapy is often recommended as treatment for chronic fatigue, considering its effectiveness on the group level. However, not everybody benefits on the individual level. More treatment success at the individual level might be achieved with patient-tailored treatments that incorporate the biopsychosocial framework.

Methods: In addition to biological assessments of blood, stool, saliva, and hair, the QFS-study consists of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in which a single-subject experimental case series (N=1) design will be implemented using Experience Sampling Methodology in fatigued adolescents and young adults with QFS, CFS/ME, and JIA (aged 12-29). With the RCT design, the effectiveness of patient-tailored PROfeel lifestyle advices will be compared against generic dietary advices in reducing fatigue severity at the group level. Pre-post analyses will be conducted to determine relevance of intervention order. By means of the N=1 design, effectiveness of both advices will be measured at the individual level.

Discussion: The QFS-study is a comprehensive study exploring disrupted biological factors and patient-tailored lifestyle advices as intervention in adolescent and young adults with QFS and similar manifestations of chronic fatigue. Practical or operational issues are expected during the study, but can be overcome through innovative study design, statistical approaches, and recruitment strategies. Ultimately, the study aims to contribute to biological research and (personalized) treatment in QFS and similar manifestations of chronic fatigue.

Trial registration: Trial NL8789 . Registered July 21, 2020.

Source: Vroegindeweij A, Swart JF, Houtveen J, Eijkelkamp N, van de Putte EM, Wulffraat NM, Nijhof SL. Identifying disrupted biological factors and patient-tailored interventions for chronic fatigue in adolescents and young adults with Q-Fever Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (QFS-study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial with single-subject experimental case series design. Trials. 2022 Aug 19;23(1):683. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06620-2. PMID: 35986408.  https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-022-06620-2 (Full text)

 

Psychiatric adjustment in chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: High rates of psychopathology and of personality problems have been reported in children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is not clear whether this is consequent on the experience of chronic physical ill health. We compare psychiatric adjustment in children with CFS and in children suffering from another chronic physical disorder (juvenile idiopathic arthritis or JIA).

METHOD: Our sample consisted of 28 children with CFS and 30 with JIA attending tertiary paediatric centres (age range, 11 to 18 years, mean 15, S.D. 2.3). In order to assess psychiatric status and functioning, we used the K-SADS psychiatric interviews, CGAS and Harter Self-Esteem Questionnaire with child subjects; behavioural questionnaires (CBCL) and child personality assessment interviews (PAS) with parent informants.

RESULTS: Psychiatric disorders in the year prior to interview had been present significantly more commonly in the CFS group (72% v. 34% in JIA) and were more impairing to them (CGAS scores of 45 v. 77). Most common diagnoses in both groups were depressive and anxiety disorders. Personality problems were also significantly more frequent in CFS subjects (48% disorder and 26% difficulty v. 11% and 11% in JIA). There were few differences between the two groups in self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychopathology and personality problems are common in children and adolescents with severe forms of CFS and cannot be explained strictly through the experience of chronic physical illness.

Comment in: Costs, correlates and consequences of fatigue in children and adults. [Psychol Med. 2003]

 

Source: Rangel L, Garralda ME, Hall A, Woodham S. Psychiatric adjustment in chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Psychol Med. 2003 Feb;33(2):289-97. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12622307