Chronic fatigue syndrome: physical and cardiovascular deconditioning

Abstract

We investigated whether chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients have physical and/or cardiovascular de-conditioning, in 273 CFS patients and 72 healthy controls. We used laboratory tests to assess haematological, biochemical, endocrinological and immunological systems. The cardiovascular system was assessed by echocardiography and carotid echography. Body composition was determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). CFS patients had smaller left ventricular end systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.008) dimensions but thinner posterior walls (p = 0.02) than corresponding values in healthy controls. Left ventricular mass was also reduced in CFS patients (p = 0.006). Both maximum (p < 0.001) and minimum (p < 0.008) diameter of the carotid artery were smaller in CFS patients. The laboratory screening tests showed significant differences in serum albumin (p = 0.05), phosphate (p = 0.02), HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03), HDL:total cholesterol ratio (p = 0.01), triglycerides (p = 0.02), neutrophils (p = 0.01) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (p = 0.04) between CFS patients and controls. Male CFS patients had an increased percentage of fat mass compared with healthy male subjects (p = 0.02). This large group of CFS patients had evidence of physical and cardiovascular de-conditioning, suggesting that in these patients a graded exercise programme could lead to physical reconditioning and could increase their ability to perform physical activities.

Hemodynamic and neurohumoral responses to head-up tilt in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

“…This is in agreement with some [4,9,34,40] but not all [8,41] reports on autonomic cardiovascular regulation in CFS. An increased supine heart rate seems to be consistent with the findings of sympathetic predominance in CFS patients at rest, as has also been estimated from spectral indices of heart rate and blood pressure variability [6,8].…”

Impaired oxygen delivery to muscle in chronic fatigue syndrome

“…Deconditioning as a result of inactivity is an alternative explanation for the decreases in oxygen delivery and oxidative capacity seen in the CFS patients in the present study [22]. While the CFS patients used in the present study were community-living and ambulatory (often with full-time jobs), they did have reduced activity levels compared with healthy control subjects.…”

Hormonal Responses to Exercise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

“…Ottenweller/Sisto/McCarty/Natelson One study has reported that CFS patients have only about 50% of the maximal exercise capacity of fit agematched controls [36], and another concluded that CFS patients have evidence of physical and cardiovascular deconditioning [37]. Thus, sedentary subjects are a more appropriate control group than the general population for CFS studies, and carefully matched submaximal exercise protocols are essential for comparisons of responses to exercise.…”