Clinical and Biochemical Characteristics Differentiating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from Major Depression and Healthy Control Populations: Relation to Dysfunction in the RNase L Pathway

AbstractPatterns of immune dysfunction have emerged in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) that include an immune activation state (evidenced by increased activated T lymphocytes and circulating cytokines) and poor cellular function (low natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and impaired T lymphocyte response to mitogens). Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between clinical and functional characteristics, immune abnormalities and status of the RNase L pathway in CFS compared with healthy control and depression control populations. All study participants were assessed with respect to their general health, functional status, blood count and chemistry, biochemical and immune parameters. The CFS group (N = 66) demonstrated clinical, functional and biochemical abnormalities distinct from the healthy (N = 62) and depression (N = 51) control groups. The CFS group showed marked functional impairment compared with both control groups (P <.001) as measured by the Medical Outcomes Stu...