Multisystemic Symptom Presentation of Australians living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis — The Association Specialists
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  3. Multisystemic Symptom Presentation of Australians living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Multisystemic Symptom Presentation of Australians living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (23780)

Natalie Eaton-Fitch 1 , Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik 1 , Etainne Martini Sasso 1
  1. Griffith University, Southport, QLD, Australia

Background: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a multisystemic chronic illness with potentially severe symptom presentation. People with ME/CFS experience a range of symptoms including post-exertional malaise, cognitive disturbances, body pain, unrefreshing sleep, autonomic disturbances, and flu-like symptoms. This investigation documents symptom severity and frequency in the largest cohort of Australian’s living with ME/CFS.

Methods: Self-reported questionnaire data was collected from n=2,873 people with ME. People with ME were defined according to three major case criteria being Fukuda, Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC), and International Consensus Criteria (ICC). Quality of life was assessed using the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36). Data was analysed using independent student’s t test, principal component analysis, and k-means clustering. Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS and RStudio.

Results: Significant differences were observed in people living with ME according to case criteria fulfilled. Statistical differences in frequency and severity were observed between people fulling Fukuda compared with both ICC and CCC (p<0.001). Regarding CCC and ICC definitions statistical differences between were observed in the frequency of joint pain (p<0.001), unrefreshing sleep (p<0.001), muscle weakness (p<0.001), sore throat (p<0.001), feverishness (p<0.001), neurosensory (p=0.003), gastrointestinal (p<0.001), respiratory (p<0.001), genitourinary (p<0.001) and temperature disturbances (p<0.001). Regarding severity, statistical differences were reported for muscle pain (p<0.001), joint pain (p<0.001), sleep disturbances (p=0.030), muscle weakness (p<0.001), feverishness (p<0.001), sore throat (p<0.001), neurosensory (p<0.001), gastrointestinal (p<0.001), respiratory (p<0.001), and cardiovascular disturbances (p<0.001). People fulling ICC criteria returned more severe and frequent symptom presentation. People with ME fulfilling the CCC or ICC definitions returned poorer SF-36 scores compared with participants fulfilling Fukuda criteria. Four symptom clusters were returned which differed according to symptom presentation and will be discussed.

Conclusion: This large-scale investigation highlights the significant symptom burden in people with ME emphasising the need for further investigations on symptom clusters to identify clinical subtypes.