The fatigue cohort - A longitudinal study on psychobiological mechanisms in post-COVID, chronic fatigue and exhaustion syndromes.

Research problem and specific questionsPersistent debilitating fatigue is increasingly becoming a societal problem with sufferers reporting lower health-related quality of life than cancer and stroke patients and fatigue imposes substantial economic costs on society.

Furthering our knowledge concerning differences and similarities in genesis and patho-physiological mechanisms seems to be the most promising approach in order to tailor assessment and effective treatment.

In the present study we jointly investigate immunological, nutritional and psychological mechanisms comparing patients with post-COVID syndrome, mylagic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and exhaustion disorder (ED), and healthy controls.

Our hypothesis is that there are shared biopsychosocial vulnerability factors that develop and maintain fatigue, irrespective of the primary diagnosis.

We also hypothesise that there are subgroups of individuals that differ in terms of these factors.Data and method This study is based on an ongoing cohort on fatigue in Stockholm (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04955587) and a sister study starting up in Linköping spring 2022.

Patients with post-COVID fatigue, ME/CFS and ED are being followed for 24 months with questionnaire reports at baseline and month 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24. 300 participants will be asked to provide blood samples at the time of the questionnaire assessments and nutritional assessments at one time point.Plan for project realisation63 participants are recruited so far.

The project group consists of a multidisciplinary research team from Stockholm University and Linköping University as well as of clinicians in the two regions who regularly assess and treat patients with persistent fatigue.RelevanceThis project will advance our understanding of fatigue by adding knowledge of the trans-diagnostic differences and similarities in fatigue in biopsychosocial mechanisms and on prognostic factors for recovery.

The included projects will identify targets for new tailored treatment programmes, resulting in personalized treatment options for patients with persistent fatigue.

The results of this study will contribute to improved care of patients with persistent fatigue and to better use of welfare resources.

The long-term goals with the project include improved functioning, health and quality of life for affected patients and a reduced burden for relatives and society.