Different subtypes of chronic fatigue in childhood cancer survivors: A DCCSS LATER study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether subtypes of chronic fatigue (CF) can be identified in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), and if so, to determine the characteristics of participants with a specific subtype. METHODS: Participants were included from the nationwide DCCSS LATER cohort. The Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) was completed to assess fatigue. Participants with CF (scored ≥35 on the fatigue severity subscale and indicated to suffer from fatigue for ≥6 months) were divided into subgroups using two-step cluster analysis based on the CIS concentration, motivation, and physical activity subscales. Differences between groups on demographics, psychosocial, lifestyle, and treatment-related variables were determined using ANOVA and chi-square analyses (univariable) and multinomial regression analysis (multivariable). RESULTS: A total of 1910 participants participated in the current study (n = 450 with CF; n = 1460 without CF). Three CF subgroups were identified: Subgroup 1 (n = 133, 29% of participants) had CF with problems in physical activity; Subgroup 2 (n = 111, 25% of participants) had CF with difficulty concentrating; and Subgroup 3 (n = 206, 46% of participants) had multi-dimensional CF. Compared to Subgroup 1, Subgroup 2 more often reported sleep problems, limitations in social functioning, and less often have more than two comorbidities. Subgroup 3 more often reported depression, sleep problems, a lower self-esteem, and limitations in social functioning and a lower educational level compared to Subgroup 1. CONCLUSION: Different subgroups of CCS with CF can be identified based on fatigue dimensions physical activity, motivation and concentration. Results suggest that different intervention strategies, tailored for each subgroup, might be beneficial.

The gastrointestinal microbiota in the development of ME/CFS: a critical view and potential perspectives.

Like other infections, a SARS-CoV-2 infection can also trigger Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS), which often progress into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/CFS, characterized by post-exercise malaise (PEM), is a severe multisystemic disease for which specific diagnostic markers or therapeutic concepts have not been established. Despite numerous indications of post-infectious neurological, immunological, endocrinal, and metabolic deviations, the exact causes and pathophysiology remain unclear. To date, there is a paucity of data, that changes in the composition and function of the gastrointestinal microbiota have emerged as a potential influencing variable associated with immunological and inflammatory pathways, shifts in ME/CFS. It is postulated that this dysbiosis may lead to intestinal barrier dysfunction, translocation of microbial components with increased oxidative stress, and the development or progression of ME/CFS. In this review, we detailed discuss the findings regarding alterations in the gastrointestinal microbiota and its microbial mediators in ME/CFS. When viewed critically, there is currently no evidence indicating causality between changes in the microbiota and the development of ME/CFS. Most studies describe associations within poorly defined patient populations, often combining various clinical presentations, such as irritable bowel syndrome and fatigue associated with ME/CFS. Nevertheless, drawing on analogies with other gastrointestinal diseases, there is potential to develop strategies aimed at modulating the gut microbiota and/or its metabolites as potential treatments for ME/CFS and other PAIS. These strategies should be further investigated in clinical trials.

[POST-COVID SYNDROME, SICK BUILDING SYNDROME, SILICONE BREAST SYNDROME, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, FIBROMYALGIA; AUTOIMMUNITY TO THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM].

INTRODUCTION: POST-COVID SYNDROME, SICK BUILDING SYNDROME, SILICONE BREAST SYNDROME, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, FIBROMYALGIA; AUTOIMMUNITY TO THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Microvascular Capillary and Precapillary Cardiovascular Disturbances Strongly Interact to Severely Affect Tissue Perfusion and Mitochondrial Function in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Evolving from the Post COVID-19 Syndrome.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a frequent, debilitating and still enigmatic disease. There is a broad overlap in the symptomatology of ME/CFS and the Post-COVID-19 Syndrome (PCS). A fraction of the PCS patients develop the full clinical picture of ME/CFS. New observations in microvessels and blood from patients suffering from PCS have appeared and include microclots and malformed pathological blood cells. Capillary blood flow is impaired not only by pathological blood components but also by prothrombotic changes in the vascular wall, endothelial dysfunction, and the expression of adhesion molecules in the capillaries. These disturbances can finally cause a low capillary flow and even capillary stasis. A low cardiac stroke volume due to hypovolemia and the inability of the capacitance vessels to adequately constrict to deliver the necessary cardiac preload generate an unfavorable low precapillary perfusion pressure. Furthermore, a predominance of vasoconstrictor over vasodilator influences exists, in which sympathetic hyperactivity and endothelial dysfunction play a strong role, causing the constriction of resistance vessels and of precapillary sphincters, which leads to a fall in capillary pressure behind the sphincters. The interaction of these two precapillary cardiovascular mechanisms causing a low capillary perfusion pressure is hemodynamically highly unfavorable in the presence of a primary capillary stasis, which is already caused by the pathological blood components and their interaction with the capillary wall, to severely impair organ perfusion. The detrimental coincidence of microcirculatory and precapillary cardiovascular disturbances may constitute the key disturbance of the Post-COVID-19 syndrome and finally lead to ME/CFS in predisposed patients because the interaction causes a particular kind of perfusion disturbance-capillary ischemia/reperfusion-which has a high potential of causing mitochondrial dysfunction by inducing sodium- and calcium-overload in skeletal muscles. The latter, in turn, worsens the vascular situation through the generation of reactive oxygen species to close a vicious cycle from which the patient can hardly escape.

Joint Flexibility and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome After Mononucleosis.

PURPOSE: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease characterized by substantial fatigue, postexertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and orthostatic intolerance, among other symptoms. Specific risk factors for the development of ME/CFS have not been adequately characterized. It has been suggested that ME/CFS is a connective tissue disorder and that joint hyperflexibility is a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS. METHODS: The goal of this study was to examine whether joint hyperflexibility is a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS after infectious mononucleosis (IM). This study was part of a prospective cohort study. College students were studied for the development of IM and were followed up for the development of ME/CFS 6 months later. Participants in the cohort for the present study included 53 students who met criteria for ME/CFS 6 months after IM and 66 recovered control subjects who had modified Beighton scores (a measure of joint hyperflexibility) available. FINDINGS: No connection was found between joint hyperflexibility and the development of ME/CFS after IM. Differences in joint hyperflexibility (as measured by using the modified Beighton score) in the ME/CFS group and the control group were not statistically significant. Female subjects had significantly higher Beighton scores compared with male subjects. IMPLICATION: After IM, no relationship was found between joint hyperflexibility and the development of ME/CFS.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview.

Post-viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) encompasses a wide range of complex neuroimmune disorders of unknown causes characterised by disabling post-exertional fatigue, myalgia and joint pain, cognitive impairments, unrefreshing sleep, autonomic dysfunction, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. It includes myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); fibromyalgia (FM); and more recently post-COVID-19 condition (long COVID). To date, there are no definitive clinical case criteria and no FDA-approved pharmacological therapies for PVFS. Given the current lack of effective treatments, there is a need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for these disorders. Mitochondria, the cellular organelles responsible for tissue energy production, have recently garnered attention in research into PVFS due to their crucial role in cellular bioenergetic metabolism in these conditions. The accumulating literature has identified a link between mitochondrial dysfunction and low-grade systemic inflammation in ME/CFS, FM, and long COVID. To address this issue, this article aims to critically review the evidence relating to mitochondrial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of these disorders; in particular, it aims to evaluate the effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on chronic fatigue and pain symptoms as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PVFS.

Pediatric and adult patients with ME/CFS following COVID-19: A structured approach to diagnosis using the Munich Berlin Symptom Questionnaire (MBSQ).

A subset of patients with post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) fulfill the clinical criteria of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). To establish the diagnosis of ME/CFS for clinical and research purposes, comprehensive scores have to be evaluated. We developed the Munich Berlin Symptom Questionnaires (MBSQs) and supplementary scoring sheets (SSSs) to allow for a rapid evaluation of common ME/CFS case definitions. The MBSQs were applied to young patients with chronic fatigue and post-exertional malaise (PEM) who presented to the MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC). Trials were retrospectively registered (NCT05778006, NCT05638724). Using the MBSQs and SSSs, we report on ten patients aged 11 to 25 years diagnosed with ME/CFS after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or mild to moderate COVID-19. Results from their MBSQs and from well-established patient-reported outcome measures indicated severe impairments of daily activities and health-related quality of life.    Conclusions: ME/CFS can follow SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients younger than 18 years, rendering structured diagnostic approaches most relevant for pediatric PCC clinics. The MBSQs and SSSs represent novel diagnostic tools that can facilitate the diagnosis of ME/CFS in children, adolescents, and adults with PCC and other post-infection or post-vaccination syndromes. What is Known: • ME/CFS is a debilitating disease with increasing prevalence due to COVID-19. For diagnosis, a differential diagnostic workup is required, including the evaluation of clinical ME/CFS criteria. • ME/CFS after COVID-19 has been reported in adults but not in pediatric patients younger than 19 years. What is New: • We present the novel Munich Berlin Symptom Questionnaires (MBSQs) as diagnostic tools to assess common ME/CFS case definitions in pediatric and adult patients with post-COVID-19 condition and beyond. • Using the MBSQs, we diagnosed ten patients aged 11 to 25 years with ME/CFS after asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or mild to moderate COVID-19.

Catalytic Antibodies May Contribute to Demyelination in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Here we report preliminary data demonstrating that some patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatiguesyndrome (ME/CFS) may have catalytic autoantibodies that cause the breakdown of myelin basic protein (MBP). We propose that these MBP-degradative antibodies are important to the pathophysiology of ME/CFS, particularly in the occurrence of white matter disease/demyelination. This is supported by magnetic resonance imagining studies that show these findings in patients with ME/CFS and could explain symptoms of nerve pain and muscle weakness. In this work, we performed a series of experiments on patient plasma samples where we isolated and characterized substrate-specific antibodies that digest MBP. We also tested glatiramer acetate (copaxone), an FDA approved immunomodulator to treat multiple sclerosis, and found that it inhibits ME/CFS antibody digestion of MBP. Furthermore, we found that aprotinin, which is a specific serine protease inhibitor, specifically prevents breakdown of MBP while the other classes of protease inhibitors had no effect. This coincides with the published literature describing catalytic antibodies as having serine protease-like activity. Postpandemic research has also provided several reports of demyelination in COVID-19. Because COVID-19 has been described as a trigger for ME/CFS, demyelination could play a bigger role in patient symptoms for those recently diagnosed with ME/CFS. Therefore, by studying proteolytic antibodies in ME/CFS, their target substrates, and inhibitors, a new mechanism of action could lead to better treatment and a possible cure for the disease.

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic neurologic disease often preceded by infection. There has been increased interest in ME/CFS recently because of its significant overlap with the post-COVID syndrome (long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID), with several studies estimating that half of patients with post-COVID syndrome fulfill ME/CFS criteria. Our concise review describes a generalist approach to ME/CFS, including diagnosis, evaluation, and management strategies.

Chronic fatigue syndromes: real illnesses that people can recover from.

The 'Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium' consists of researchers and clinicians who question the current narrative that chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-covid conditions, are incurable diseases. Instead, we propose an alternative view, based on research, which offers more hope to patients. Whilst we regard the symptoms of these conditions as real, we propose that they are more likely to reflect the brain's response to a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than a specific disease process. Possible causes include persistent activation of the neurobiological stress response, accompanied by associated changes in immunological, hormonal, cognitive and behavioural domains. We further propose that the symptoms are more likely to persist if they are perceived as threatening, and all activities that are perceived to worsen them are avoided. We also question the idea that the best way to cope with the illness is by prolonged rest, social isolation, and sensory deprivation.Instead, we propose that recovery is often possible if patients are helped to adopt a less threatening understanding of their symptoms and are supported in a gradual return to normal activities. Finally, we call for a much more open and constructive dialogue about these conditions. This dialogue should include a wider range of views, including those of patients who have recovered from them.

[An emerging cause of chronic fatigue and pain : post-COVID-19 condition or long COVID]. / Une cause émergente de fatigue et de douleurs chroniques : l'affection post-COVID-19 ou COVID long.

Some individuals who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions, post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 or long COVID. Different underlying mechanisms can lead to long COVID, none of which are mutually exclusive. Lingering symptoms can persist years after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including fatigue, muscle weakness, tachycardia, dyspnea and various neurological symptoms. The symptomatology is partly similar to that reported by people with chronic fatigue syndrome and other unwell studied long-lasting diseases that may occur after other infections. People who have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness are at higher risk of developing long COVID, although anyone who was infected can experience post-COVID conditions. Importantly, unvaccinated individuals are more likely to develop long COVID. Here we review the current knowledge and discuss key findings regarding the epidemiology and physiopathology of long COVID. We briefly review current diagnostic and treatment options that remain so far largely insufficient.

Certains individus infectés par le SARS-CoV-2 peuvent présenter des symptômes à long terme, évoluant parfois durant plusieurs années. Il est alors question d'affection post-COVID-19 ou COVID long. Les symptômes sont très polymorphes, fluctuants, et comprennent, notamment, une fatigue intense, des douleurs articulaires et musculaires, de la dyspnée, de la tachycardie, ainsi qu'une constellation de plaintes neurologiques. Cette symptomatologie est, en partie, similaire à celle du syndrome de fatigue chronique et est retrouvée également après d'autres types d'infections. Les mécanismes à l'origine du COVID long sont probablement multiples et encore mal connus. Si le COVID long peut toucher tout individu infecté par le SARS-CoV-2, certains groupes sont plus à risque, notamment les personnes non vaccinées ou les individus ayant présenté une infection sévère. Dans cet article, nous résumons les connaissances actuelles et mettons en lumière les découvertes clés quant à l'épidémiologie et aux mécanismes physiopathologiques du COVID long. Nous discutons aussi des critères diagnostiques et des options thérapeutiques qui sont, à ce jour, largement insuffisantes.

[Chronic fatigue: What investigations? And what for?] / Fatigue chronique : quelles investigations ? Dans quels objectifs ?

Chronic fatigue is a frequent complaint, expressed at all levels of the healthcare system. It is perceived as disabling in a high proportion of cases, and internists are frequently called upon to find "the" cause. The etiological diagnostic approach of an unexplained state of fatigue relies on the careful search for more specific clues by questioning and clinical examination. It is necessary to recognize the limited place of complementary examinations apart from the basic biological parameters. Simple rating scales can be useful in the etiological and differential diagnosis of fatigue. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), in the current state of knowledge, cannot be considered as a specific pathological entity distinct from idiopathic chronic fatigue states, and does not have validated biomarkers. It is important to know that a state of chronic asthenia often results from several intricated etiological factors (biological, psychological and social), to be classified as predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating. The metabolic and cardiorespiratory exercise test has a major place in the assessment and management of fatigue, as a prerequisite for personalized retraining or adapted physical activity (APA), which are the treatments of choice for chronic fatigue.

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

TOPIC IMPORTANCE: Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is a long-term consequence of acute infection from COVID-19. Clinical overlap between PASC and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) has been observed, with shared symptoms including intractable fatigue, postexertional malaise, and orthostatic intolerance. The mechanistic underpinnings of such symptoms are poorly understood. REVIEW FINDINGS: Early studies suggest deconditioning as the primary explanation for exertional intolerance in PASC. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing reveals perturbations related to systemic blood flow and ventilatory control associated with acute exercise intolerance in PASC, which are not typical of simple detraining. Hemodynamic and gas exchange derangements in PASC have substantial overlap with those observed with ME/CFS, suggestive of shared mechanisms. SUMMARY: This review illustrates exercise pathophysiologic commonalities between PASC and ME/CFS that will help guide future diagnostics and treatment.

A Proposed New Model to Explain the Role of Low Dose Non-DNA Targeted Radiation Exposure in Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) is considered to be a multidimensional illness whose etiology is unknown. However, reports from Chernobyl, as well as those from the United States, have revealed an association between radiation exposure and the development of CFIDS. As such, we present an expanded model using a systems biology approach to explain the etiology of CFIDS as it relates to this cohort of patients. This paper proposes an integrated model with ionizing radiation as a suggested trigger for CFIDS mediated through UVA induction and biophoton generation inside the body resulting from radiation-induced bystander effects (RIBE). Evidence in support of this approach has been organized into a systems view linking CFIDS illness markers with the initiating events, in this case, low-dose radiation exposure. This results in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as important immunologic and other downstream effects. Furthermore, the model implicates melanoma and subsequent hematopoietic dysregulation in this underlying process. Through the identification of this association with melanoma, clinical medicine, including dermatology, hematology, and oncology, can now begin to apply its expansive knowledge base to provide new treatment options for an illness that has had few effective treatments.

Towards a Better Understanding of the Complexities of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex condition arising in susceptible people, predominantly following viral infection, but also other stressful events. The susceptibility factors discussed here are both genetic and environmental although not well understood. While the dysfunctional physiology in ME/CFS is becoming clearer, understanding has been hampered by different combinations of symptoms in each affected person. A common core set of mainly neurological symptoms forms the modern clinical case definition, in the absence of an accessible molecular diagnostic test. This landscape has prompted interest in whether ME/CFS patients can be classified into a particular phenotype/subtype that might assist better management of their illness and suggest preferred therapeutic options. Currently, the same promising drugs, nutraceuticals, or behavioral therapies available can be beneficial, have no effect, or be detrimental to each individual patient. We have shown that individuals with the same disease profile exhibit unique molecular changes and physiological responses to stress, exercise and even vaccination. Key features of ME/CFS discussed here are the possible mechanisms determining the shift of an immune/inflammatory response from transient to chronic in ME/CFS, and how the brain and CNS manifests the neurological symptoms, likely with activation of its specific immune system and resulting neuroinflammation. The many cases of the post viral ME/CFS-like condition, Long COVID, following SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the intense research interest and investment in understanding this condition, provide exciting opportunities for the development of new therapeutics that will benefit ME/CFS patients.

Cardiovascular and haematological pathology in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): A role for viruses.

ME/CFS is a debilitating chronic condition that often develops after viral or bacterial infection. Insight from the study of Long COVID/Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), the post-viral syndrome associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, might prove to be useful for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms of ME/CFS. Disease presentation is similar between the two conditions, and a subset of Long COVID patients meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Since Long COVID is characterized by significant vascular pathology - including endothelial dysfunction, coagulopathy, and vascular dysregulation - the question of whether or not the same biological abnormalities are of significance in ME/CFS arises. Cardiac abnormalities have for a while now been documented in ME/CFS cohorts, with recent studies demonstrating major deficits in cerebral blood flow, and hence vascular dysregulation. A growing body of research is demonstrating that ME/CFS is accompanied by platelet hyperactivation, anomalous clotting, a procoagulant phenotype, and endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial damage and dysregulated clotting can impair substance exchange between blood and tissues, and result in hypoperfusion, which may contribute to the manifestation of certain ME/CFS symptoms. Here we review the ME/CFS literature to summarize cardiovascular and haematological findings documented in patients with the condition, and, in this context, briefly discuss the potential role of previously-implicated pathogens. Overall, cardiac and haematological abnormalities are present within ME/CFS cohorts. While atherosclerotic heart disease is not significantly associated with ME/CFS, suboptimal cardiovascular function defined by reduced cardiac output, impaired cerebral blood flow, and vascular dysregulation are, and these abnormalities do not appear to be influenced by deconditioning. Rather, these cardiac abnormalities may result from dysfunction in the (autonomic) nervous system. Plenty of recently published studies are demonstrating significant platelet hyperactivity and endothelial dysfunction in ME/CFS, as well as anomalous clotting processes. It is of particular importance to determine to what extent these cardiovascular and haematological abnormalities contribute to symptom severity, and if these two systems can be targeted for therapeutic purposes. Viral reservoirs of herpesviruses exist in ME/CFS, and most likely contribute to cardiovascular and haematological dysfunction directly or indirectly. This review highlights the potential of studying cardiac functioning, the vasculature, and coagulation system in ME/CFS.

Different risk factors distinguish myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome from severe fatigue.

Fatigue is a common reason that patients seek medical care. Only a fraction of these patients meet criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). To determine if ME/CFS is just a more extreme form of fatigue, or a qualitatively different condition, we assessed whether risk factors for ME/CFS and for Severe Fatigue were similar. An email questionnaire that inquired about symptoms of Severe Fatigue and ME/CFS was completed by 41,802 US female nurses from whom detailed medical and lifestyle information had been collected since 1989: 102 met criteria for ME/CFS, 522 had Severe Fatigue, and 41,178 individuals were without significant chronic fatigue. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the Hazard Ratio (HR) of Severe Fatigue and of ME/CFS with each of several potential risk factors, according to the level of exposure to each risk factor. The risk of Severe Fatigue was significantly increased among participants who were older, had a higher BMI in adulthood, used hormone therapy, had increased alcohol intake and decreased caffeine intake. In contrast, these risk factor associations were not seen in people with ME/CFS. A self-reported past history of acute infectious mononucleosis was associated with a non-significantly increased Hazard Ratio of later ME/CFS (HR 1.77, 0.87-3.61) and, to a lesser extent, of Severe Fatigue (HR 1.28, 0.98-1.66). The different contribution of various risk factors to Severe Fatigue and ME/CFS suggests that ME/CFS has a qualitatively different underlying biology from the more common state of Severe Fatigue.

No Causal Effects Detected in COVID-19 and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

New clinical observational studies suggest that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a sequela of COVID-19 infection, but whether there is an exact causal relationship between COVID-19 and ME/CFS remains to be verified. To investigate whether infection with COVID-19 actually causes ME/CFS, this paper obtained pooled data from the Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) and analyzed the relationship between COVID susceptibility, hospitalization and severity of COVID and ME/CFS, respectively, using two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR). TSMR analysis was performed by inverse variance weighting (IVW), weighted median method, MR-Egger regression and weighted mode and simple mode methods, respectively, and then the causal relationship between COVID-19 and ME/CFS was further evaluated by odds ratio (OR). Eventually, we found that COVID-19 severity, hospitalization and susceptibility were all not significantly correlated with ME/CFS (OR:1.000,1.000,1.000; 95% CI:0.999-1.000, 0.999-1.001, 0.998-1.002; p = 0.333, 0.862, 0.998, respectively). We found the results to be reliable after sensitivity analysis. These results suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection may not significantly contribute to the elevated risk of developing CFS, and therefore ME/CFS may not be a sequela of COVID-19, but may simply present with symptoms similar to those of CFS after COVID-19 infection, and thus should be judged and differentiated by physicians when diagnosing and treating the disease in clinical practice.

Real world research on transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric symptoms with long-COVID in Japan.

The number of patients suffering from long-COVID is currently increasing rapidly, even after the acute symptoms of COVID-19 have improved. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a pilot transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment on neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by long-COVID. In this study, we examined the efficacy of the TMS treatment protocol, which has been established to be effective in refractory depression, by applying it to patients who sought TMS treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by long-COVID at TMS clinics in Tokyo, Japan in the context of the real world TMS registry study in Japan. Of the 23 patients (13 females) with long-COVID included in this case series, the main neuropsychiatric symptoms were chronic fatigue (n = 12) and cognitive dysfunction (n = 11), but most patients also showed mild depressive symptoms. The mean score on the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale before TMS treatment was 21.2, which improved to 9.8 after treatment. Similarly, the score on the Performance Status, which assesses the degree of fatigue, improved from 5.4 to 4.2, and the score on the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression 5-item, which reflects cognitive function, improved from 10.0 to 6.3. Although a few patients complained of pain at the stimulation site during the TMS as a side effect, there were no serious adverse events. Despite the limitations of this open-label pilot study, the TMS protocol implemented in this study may have beneficial effects on neuropsychiatric symptoms caused by long-COVID, including depressive symptoms, chronic fatigue, and cognitive impairment. These preliminary findings warrant further validation in randomized controlled trials.