Cardiovascular reflex function, fatigue and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract

Recently there has been increased interest in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a syndrome of nonspecific symptoms and unknown etiology. The relationship between cardiovascular reflex function, fatigue, and depression in CFS was examined. Findings were as follows: First, there was no evidence of abnormal cardiovascular reflex function in the CFS group. Second, the CFS group had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than the control group. Third, the CFS group scored higher on psychological measures of depression, fatigue, and confusion than the control group; the control group scored higher on a measure of vigor than the CFS group. Finally, the CFS group reported more CFS-related symptoms, but some members of the control group did endorse symptoms on a CFS symptom checklist. The possibility that increased peripheral resistance accounts for the elevated blood pressure in the CFS group, and the merits of exploring the role of interleukin-1 and other hormones or "hormone-like" substances in the etiology or maintenance of CFS symptomatology are discussed.