Recovery of upper limb muscle function in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia. (9th December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ickmans, Kelly; Meeus, Mira; De Kooning, Margot; Lambrecht, Luc; Nijs, Jo
• Is Part Of: European journal of clinical investigation. Volume 44:Number 2(2014:Feb.)
• Page Start: 153
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2013-12-09
• Subjects: Pathology -- Periodicals; Medical research -- Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.12201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2972

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="eci12201-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="eci12201-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients frequently complain of muscle fatigue and abnormally slow recovery, especially of the upper limb muscles during and after activities of daily living. Furthermore, disease heterogeneity has not yet been studied in relation to recovery of muscle function in CFS. Here, we examine recovery of upper limb muscle function from a fatiguing exercise in CFS patients with (CFS+FM) and without (CFS‐only) comorbid fibromyalgia and compare their results with a matched inactive control group.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12201-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>In this case–control study, 18 CFS‐only patients, 30 CFS+FM patients and 30 healthy inactive controls performed a fatiguing upper limb exercise test with subsequent recovery measures.</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12201-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>There was no significant difference among the three groups for maximal handgrip strength of the non‐dominant hand. A significant worse recovery of upper limb muscle function was found in the CFS+FM, but not in de CFS‐only group compared with the controls (<italic>P</italic> < 0·05).</p> </sec> <sec id="eci12201-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This study reveals, for the first time, delayed recovery of upper limb muscle function in CFS+FM, but not in CFS‐only patients. The results underline that CFS is a heterogeneous disorder suggesting that reducing the heterogeneity of the disorder in future research is important to make progress towards a better understanding and uncovering of mechanisms regarding the nature of divers impairments in these patients.</p> </sec> </abstract>