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Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review—heterogeneity of definition limits study comparison

Authors :
Moore, Yasmin
Serafimova, Teona
Anderson, Nina
King, Hayley
Richards, Alison
Brigden, Amberly
Sinai, Parisa
Higgins, Julian
Ascough, Caitlin
Clery, Philippa
Crawley, Esther M
Source :
Archives of Disease in Childhood; 2021, Vol. 106 Issue: 11 p1087-1094, 8p
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

BackgroundPaediatric chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a common illness with a major impact on quality of life. Recovery is poorly understood. Our aim was to describe definitions of recovery in paediatric CFS/ME, the rate of recovery and the time to recovery.MethodsThis systematic review included a detailed search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo and Cochrane Library between 1994 and July 2018. Inclusion criteria were (1) clinical trials and observational studies, (2) participants aged <19 years with CFS/ME, (3) conducted in Western Healthcare systems and (4) studies including a measure of recovery and time taken to recover.ResultsTwelve papers (10 studies) were identified, involving 826 patients (range 23–135). Recovery rates were highly varied, ranging between 4.5% and 83%.Eleven distinct definitions of recovery were used; six were composite outcomes while five used unidimensional outcomes. Outcome measures used to define recovery were highly heterogeneous. School attendance (n=8), fatigue (n=6) and physical functioning (n=4) were the most common outcomes included in definition of recovery. Only five definitions included a personal measure of recovery.ImplicationsDefinitions of recovery are highly variable, likely secondary to differences in study design, outcomes used, follow-up and study populations. Heterogeneous definitions of recovery limit meaningful comparison between studies, highlighting the need for a consensus definition going forward. Recovery is probably best defined from the child’s own perspective with a single self-reported measure. If composite measures are used for research, there should be agreement on the core outcome set used.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00039888 and 14682044
Volume :
106
Issue :
11
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs58086871
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320196