Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Presumptive Mitochondrial Disorder

Launched by COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 6, 2013

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The etiology and pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is poorly understood. Although therapies have been proposed, none has been particularly effective. A preceding viral infection is believed to cause mitochondrial dysfunction in genetically susceptible individuals, resulting in overwhelming fatigue, myalgia and brain fuzziness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether therapy that has been shown to be beneficial for mitochondrial diseases is also beneficial for CFS.

Patients received daily conditioning exercise, a high protein diet and nutraceutical therapy (ENT). Pre...

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Severe chronic fatigue for 6 or more consecutive months 4 or more of the following 8 symptoms concurrently:
• • post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
• • unrefreshing sleep
• • significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
• • muscle pain
• • pain in the joints without swelling or redness
• • headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
• • tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
• • a sore throat that is frequent or recurring These symptoms should have persisted or recurred during 6 or more consecutive months of illness and they cannot have first appeared before the fatigue.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Additional medical illnesses causing chronic fatigue
• • Ongoing exertion