Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 1: Etiology and Pathogenesis

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by debilitating fatigue and other somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A range of heterogeneous clinical and laboratory findings have been reported in patients with CFS. Various theories have been proposed to explain th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 1995-03, Vol.21 (1), p.5-16
Main Authors: Farrar, David J., Locke, Steven E., Kantrowitz, Fred G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aetiology
antidepressive agents
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cognitive Therapy
cognitive-behavior therapy
cytokines
depression
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Depressive Disorder - therapy
Exercise
fatigue
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - epidemiology
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - etiology
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic - psychology
fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia - complications
Humans
Immune System Diseases - complications
Immune System Diseases - virology
immunopathology
Incidence
infectious diseases
neuroendocrinology
psychoneuroimmunology
Sleep Wake Disorders - complications
Stress, Psychological - psychology
unconventional medicine
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Summary:Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by debilitating fatigue and other somatic and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A range of heterogeneous clinical and laboratory findings have been reported in patients with CFS. Various theories have been proposed to explain the underlying pathophysiologic processes but none has been proved. Research findings of immunologic dysfunction and neuroendocrine changes suggest the possible dysregulation of interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. Without a clear understanding of its etiopathogenesis, CFS has no definitive treatment. Management approaches have been necessarily speculative, and they have evolved separately in a number of medical and nonmedical disciplines. The results of several controlled treatment studies have been inconclusive. An accurate case definition identifying homogeneous subtypes of CFS is needed. The integration of medical and psychologic treatment modalities and the use of both biologic and psychologic markers to evaluate treatment response will enhance future treatment strategies.
ISSN:0896-4289
1940-4026
DOI:10.1080/08964289.1995.9933737