Jesús Castro-Marrero1, Mónica Faro2, Luisa Aliste2, Naia Sáez-Francàs3, Natalia Calvo4, Alba Martínez-Martínez2, Tomás Fernández de Sevilla2, Jose Alegre2. 1. CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: jesus.castro@vhir.org. 2. CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. 3. Psychiatry Unit, Sant Rafael Hospital (FIDMAG), Barcelona, Spain. 4. Psychiatry Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (CIBERSAM), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown evidence of comorbid conditions in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of comorbidities and assess their associations using a nationwide population-based database of a Spanish CFS/ME cohort. METHOD: A nationally representative, retrospective, cross-sectional cohort study (2008-2015) assessed 1757 Spanish subjects who met both the 1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Fukuda definition and 2003 Canadian Criteria for CFS/ME. Sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidities, and patient-reported outcome measures at baseline were recorded. A cluster analysis based on baseline clinical variables was performed to classify patients with CFS/ME into 5 categories according to comorbidities. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted adjusting for potential confounding effects such as age and sex; response and categorical predictor variables were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1757 CFS/ME patients completed surveys were collected. We identified 5 CFS/ME clusters: group 1-fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, multiple chemical hypersensitivity, sicca syndrome, epicondylitis, and thyroiditis; group 2-alterations of ligaments and subcutaneous tissue, hypovitaminosis D, psychopathology, ligamentous hyperlaxity, and endometriosis. These 2 subgroups comprised mainly older women, with low educational level, unemployment, high levels of fatigue, and poor quality of life; group 3-with hardly any comorbidities, comprising mainly younger women, university students or those already employed, with lower levels of fatigue, and better quality of life; group 4-poorly defined comorbidities; and group 5-hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSION: Over 80% of a large population-based cohort of Spanish patients with CFS/ME presented comorbidities. Among the 5 subgroups created, the most interesting were groups 1-3. Future research should consider multidisciplinary approaches for the management and treatment of CFS/ME with comorbid conditions.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown evidence of comorbid conditions in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of comorbidities and assess their associations using a nationwide population-based database of a Spanish CFS/ME cohort. METHOD: A nationally representative, retrospective, cross-sectional cohort study (2008-2015) assessed 1757 Spanish subjects who met both the 1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Fukuda definition and 2003 Canadian Criteria for CFS/ME. Sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidities, and patient-reported outcome measures at baseline were recorded. A cluster analysis based on baseline clinical variables was performed to classify patients with CFS/ME into 5 categories according to comorbidities. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted adjusting for potential confounding effects such as age and sex; response and categorical predictor variables were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1757 CFS/ME patients completed surveys were collected. We identified 5 CFS/ME clusters: group 1-fibromyalgia, myofascial pain, multiple chemical hypersensitivity, sicca syndrome, epicondylitis, and thyroiditis; group 2-alterations of ligaments and subcutaneous tissue, hypovitaminosis D, psychopathology, ligamentous hyperlaxity, and endometriosis. These 2 subgroups comprised mainly older women, with low educational level, unemployment, high levels of fatigue, and poor quality of life; group 3-with hardly any comorbidities, comprising mainly younger women, university students or those already employed, with lower levels of fatigue, and better quality of life; group 4-poorly defined comorbidities; and group 5-hypercholesterolemia. CONCLUSION: Over 80% of a large population-based cohort of Spanish patients with CFS/ME presented comorbidities. Among the 5 subgroups created, the most interesting were groups 1-3. Future research should consider multidisciplinary approaches for the management and treatment of CFS/ME with comorbid conditions.
Authors: Benjamin Heng; Gilles J Guillemin; Bahar Kavyani; Brett A Lidbury; Richard Schloeffel; Paul R Fisher; Daniel Missailidis; Sarah J Annesley; Mona Dehhaghi Journal: Cell Mol Life Sci Date: 2022-07-11 Impact factor: 9.207
Authors: Shaun Bhatia; Nicole Olczyk; Leonard A Jason; Jose Alegre; Judith Fuentes-Llanos; Jesus Castro-Marrero Journal: Am J Soc Sci Humanit Date: 2019-12-19
Authors: Marie Weinreich Petersen; Andreas Schröder; Torben Jørgensen; Eva Ørnbøl; Thomas Meinertz Dantoft; Marie Eliasen; Michael Eriksen Benros; Per Fink Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-02-24 Impact factor: 4.379