P. De Becker, I.Campine, E. Van Steenberge, J. Roeykens, A. Leys, K. De Meirleir
Dept. of Human Physiology and Sports Medicine of the University Hospital
AZ-VUB
Brussels
Belgium
Exercise Capacity of CFS Patients
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be a severely disabling disease which is present in up to 1-3% of the population. One the main characteristics of this disorder is a reduction of at least 50 % in the ability to perform activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether this disability could be objectivated.
166 CFS-patients (138 female and 28 male) who fulfilled the 1988 CDC-criteria for CFS and 138 healthy controls (113 female and 25 male) performed a maximal exercise test on a bicycle ergometer and continuous gas exchange measurements were made. The groups were matched for sex and age (age CFS patients vs controls mean ± SD: 36.5 years ± 9.3 versus 36,6 years ± 6.5; p = 0.79).
Following parameters were measured: maximal workcapacity (MCW) attained (Watt max), Watt max per kg of body weight (Watt max/kg), maximum oxygen uptake per kg body weight (VO2max/kg).
Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. The main results were:
CFS female |
Control female |
p-value |
|
W max (Watt ± SD) |
83.2 + 27.5 |
185.9 ± 44.4 |
< 0.0001 |
W max/kg (Watt/kg ±SD) |
1.4 ± 0.5 |
3.12 ± 0.8 |
< 0.0001 |
VO2max/kg (ml/kg ± SD) |
20.1 ± 5.4 |
34.38± 7.8 |
< 0.0001 |
CFS male |
Control male |
p-value |
|
W max (Watt ± SD) |
147.5 ± 54.5 |
305.7 ± 67.0 |
< 0.0001 |
W max/kg (Watt/kg ±SD) |
2.0 ± 0.7 |
4.04 ± 0.9 |
< 0.0001 |
VO2max/kg (ml/kg ± SD) |
25.9 ± 6.7 |
43.39 ± 8.0 |
< 0.0001 |
In conclusion, both male and female CFS-patients have a MCW which is at least 50% lower compared to controls, which objectively proves their disability.
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