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Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined according to subjective symptoms only, and several conflicting case definition exist. Previous research has discovered certain biological alterations. The aim of the present study was to explore possible subgroups based on biological markers within a widely defined cohort of adolescent CFS patients and investigate to what extent eventual subgroups are associated with other variables.
Methods: The Norwegian Study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adolescents: Pathophysiology and Intervention Trial (NorCAPITAL) has previously performed detailed investigation of immunological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, cognitive and sensory processing functions in an adolescent group of CFS patients recruited according to wide diagnostic criteria. In the present study, hierarchical cluster analyses (Ward's method) were performed using representative variables from all these domains. Associations between clusters and constitutional factors (including candidate genetic markers), diagnostic criteria, subjective symptoms and prognosis were explored by standard statistical methods.
Results: A total of 116 patients (26.7% males, mean age 15.4 years) were included. The final cluster analyses revealed six clusters labelled pain tolerant & good cognitions, restored HPA dynamics, orthostatic intolerance, low-grade inflammation, pain intolerant & poor cognitions, and high vagal (parasympathetic) activity, respectively. There was substantial overlap between clusters. The pain intolerant & poor cognitions-cluster was associated with low functional abilities and quality of life, and adherence to the Canada 2003 diagnostic criteria for CFS. No other statistically significant cluster associations were discovered.
Conclusion: Within a widely defined cohort of adolescent CFS patients, clusters could be delineated, but no distinct subgroups could be identified. Associations between clusters and constitutional factors, subjective symptoms and prognosis were scarce. These results question the clinical usefulness of searching for CFS subgroups, as well as the validity of the most "narrow" CFS diagnostic criteria.
Trial Registration: Clinical Trials NCT01040429.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12967-021-02713-9 | DOI Listing |
J Nephrol
September 2025
Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Health Psychology Section, King's College London, 5th Floor Bermondsey Wing, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 9RT, UK.
Background: Depression and anxiety are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and worsen clinical outcomes. Psycho-behavioural interventions offer a promising, non-pharmacological approach. However, most evidence comes from people with kidney failure with distinct treatment needs, limiting relevance to earlier stages of CKD, where timely support may enhance self-management and slow progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Acupunct
August 2025
Kampo Clinical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.
Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) are effective for pain relief and chronic disease management but carry risks of adverse events (AEs). Japan prioritizes AM safety, and Hiroshima University Hospital Kampo Clinical Center (HUHKCC) follows strict professional standards to ensure both safety and efficacy.
Objectives: The study analyzes AM-related AEs in Japan over the past decade, compares them with HUHKCC practices, and proposes risk mitigation strategies.
ERJ Open Res
September 2025
Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, CHU Grenoble Alpes, HP2, Grenoble, France.
https://bit.ly/44RG0XW.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFERJ Open Res
September 2025
Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Institute of Lumezzane, Brescia, Italy.
Background: In patients with moderate COPD, response to pulmonary rehabilitation including exercise training varies according to the presence of peripheral muscle fatigue (pMF) of quadriceps. This study investigates the role of pMF in predicting pulmonary rehabilitation outcomes in more severe COPD patients who have already developed chronic respiratory failure (COPD-CRF).
Methods: A analysis of a prospective randomised controlled trial was performed at Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri Lumezzane (Brescia, Italy), involving 30 COPD-CRF patients undergoing a pulmonary rehabilitation programme comprising 20 endurance training sessions.
Front Neurosci
August 2025
Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States.
Introduction: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI) have similar profiles of pain (nociception), visceral interoception, and tenderness (central sensitization) that may be due to dysfunction of midbrain and medulla descending antinociceptive and antiinteroceptive mechanisms. If so, then dolorimetry, a proxy for tenderness, may be correlated with subjective symptoms. The relationship with fatigue was assessed in Chronic Idiopathic Fatigue (CIF).
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