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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Lucy Robinson, Professor Justin DurhamORCiD, Dr Laura Maclachlan, Emerita Professor Julia Newton
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Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is heterogeneous in nature, yet noclear subclassifications currently exist. There is evidence of dysautonomia in almost90% of patients and CFS is often co-morbid with conditions associated withautonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, such as temporomandibulardisorders (TMD). The present study examined the point prevalence of TMD in asample of people with CFS and explored whether co-morbidity between theconditions is associated with greater ANS dysfunction than CFS alone. Method:Fifty-one patients and 10 controls underwent screening for TMD. Theycompleted a self-report measure of ANS function (COMPASS-31) and objectiveassessment of heart rate variability during rest and standing (derived usingspectral analysis). Frequency densities in the high-frequency (HF) and lowfrequency(LF) band were calculated. Results: Patients with CFS were dividedinto those who screened positive for TMD (n = 16, 31%; CFS + TMD) and thosewho did not (n = 35, 69%; CFS − TMD). Both CFS groups had significantlyhigher self-rated ANS dysfunction than controls. CFS + TMD scored higher thanCFS − TMD on the orthostatic and vasomotor subscales. The CFS + TMD grouphad significantly higher HF and significantly lower LF at rest than the other twogroups. In discriminant function analysis, self-report orthostatic intolerance andHF units correctly classified 75% of participants. Conclusions: Almost one-thirdof CFS patients screened positive for TMD and this was associated with greaterevidence of parasympathetic dysfunction. The presence of TMD shows potentialas an effective screen for patients with CFS showing an autonomic profile andcould help identify subgroups to target for treatment.
Author(s): Robinson LJ, Durham J, MacLachlan L, Newton JL
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behaviour
Year: 2015
Volume: 3
Issue: 4
Pages: 205-219
Online publication date: 05/10/2015
Acceptance date: 28/08/2015
ISSN (print): 2164-1846
ISSN (electronic): 2164-1862
Publisher: Routledge
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2015.1091152
DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2015.1091152
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