The Presentation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Not Influenced by the Presence or Absence of Joint Hypermobility.

Objective: To examine demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) with and without joint hypermobility We hypothesized that patients who were joint hypermobility-positive would have an earlier onset of ME/CFS symptoms as well as increased severity, a greater number of comorbid conditions, and a lower health-related quality of life.

Study Design: From an observational cohort study of 55 individuals meeting the Fukuda criteria for ME/CFS, we compared groups using a Beighton score cutoff of 4 or higher to indicate joint hypermobility. Chart data were collected to examine the age and type of onset of ME/CFS and the presence of comorbid conditions.

Impaired Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Impact of Core Symptoms.

The objectives of this study were to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of a North American population of adolescents and young adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to (1) healthy controls (HC), (2) adolescents with ME/CFS in other countries, and (3) other forms of pediatric chronic illness, and (4) to examine the influence of the core illness symptoms in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) case definition on impaired HRQOL. Cross-sectional study comparing individuals with ME/CFS referred to a tertiary care Chronic Fatigue clinic and HC. Eligible participants were age 10-30 years and met the Fukuda criteria for CFS.

Two-Year Follow-Up of Impaired Range of Motion in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Objective: To measure changes in range of motion (ROM) over time in a cohort of 55 adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome and to determine whether changes in ROM correlated with changes in health-related quality of life.

Study Design: Participants underwent a standardized examination of 11 areas of limb and spine ROM at baseline and at 3- to 6-month intervals for 2 years, resulting in a ROM score that ranged from 0 (normal throughout) to 11 (abnormal ROM in all areas tested). We measured the time until the ROM score was ≤2 (the score in healthy age-matched controls).

Cow's milk protein intolerance in adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aim: To examine the prevalence, clinical features and influence on illness severity of cow's milk protein intolerance in young people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Methods: In a two-year prospective study of 55 adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome, we defined intolerance to milk protein if subjects reported (i) no evidence of immediate or anaphylactic reactions to milk, (ii) at least 2 of the following 3 chronic symptoms: gastroesophageal reflux, early satiety and epigastric/abdominal pain, (iii) improvement in upper gastrointestinal symptoms on a milk protein elimination diet and (iv) at least 2 recurrences of upper gastrointestinal symptoms >two hours following open re-exposure to milk protein. Subjects completed three quality of life surveys at baseline and at six months.

Impaired range of motion of limbs and spine in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: To determine whether adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have a greater prevalence of impaired range of motion (ROM) of the limbs and spine than healthy control patients.

Study Design: Case-control study comparing rates of abnormal ROM in 48 consecutive adolescents and young adults with CFS and 48 healthy control patients matched by sex and joint hypermobility. We examined range of ankle dorsiflexion, passive straight-leg raise, seated slump, upper-limb neurodynamic test, prone knee bend, and prone press-up.