Munich ME/CFS Cohort Study

Launched by TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH · Aug 16, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Munich ME/CFS Cohort Study is a research project designed to learn more about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in young people aged 0 to 25 years. The study aims to understand the long-term effects of this condition, identify potential causes and biological markers, and find new treatment options. Researchers are currently looking for participants who have experienced symptoms of ME/CFS after a documented or likely infectious disease. Interested individuals must provide written consent, and if they are under 18, a parent or guardian must consent on their behalf.

To be part of this study, participants should not have certain serious medical conditions like major psychiatric illnesses or organ failure, and they should not have had major surgeries recently. Those who join the study can expect to undergo assessments that will help researchers gather important information about ME/CFS. This study is a valuable opportunity for young people affected by ME/CFS to contribute to research that could lead to better understanding and treatment of this challenging condition.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Written consent of the patient (or legal guardian for patients aged \< 18 years).
• • Age 0 - 25 (including)
• • Documented or probable acute infectious disease at the onset of ME/CFS symptoms
• • Diagnosis of ME/CFS according to the IOM criteria, the CCC, the diagnostic worksheet published by P.C. Rowe et al. (2017), or the pediatric case definition published by L.A. Jason et al. (2006).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • drug/medication abuse, major surgery within the last six months, presence of organ failure, post-stroke/craniocerebral trauma with cognitive deficits, post-intensive care syndrome, syphilis, Lyme disease, AIDS, hepatitis B/C, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjörgren's syndrome, malignancy, major depression or other severe psychiatric illness, primary sleep disorder, severe endocrine disease (e.g., hypopituitarism, adrenal insufficiency), and other conditions that might explain ME/CFS symptoms.