Chronic Fatigue Following Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Adolescents

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by unexplained, disabling and long lasting fatigue, as well as pain, impaired memory, sleep difficulties and other symptoms. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection might precipitate CFS. In this study, 200 adolescents undergoing acute EBV infection will be followed prospectively, and also compared with a group of healthy controls. The aim is twofold: To identify factors that predispose to chronic fatigue among adolescents with acute EBV infection To compare pathophysiological features of patients with acute EBV infection with a group of healthy controls. Possible risk factors for chronic fatigue 6 months after EBV-infection includes: Severity of the initial infection Immune responses characteristics Characteristics of the neuroendocrine stress response Cognitive functioning Emotional disturbances Genetics/ epigenetics of candidate genes Certain personality traits Critical life events

Official Title
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Chronic Fatigue Following Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Adolescents

Conditions
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Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic, Epstein-Barr Virus Infections

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age ≥ 12 years and < 20 years Serological confirmation of acute EBV infection Lives in one of the following Norwegian counties: Oslo, Akershus, Buskerud, Østfold, Vestfold Exclusion Criteria: Medical treatment for another disease (hormonal conterception and antibiotics against tonsillitis/pharyngitis are accepted) Pregnancy Debut of illness > 6 weeks ago

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Years
Maximum Age: 20 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Acute EBV infection<br> | |
| Healthy controls<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fatigue | Chalder fatigue questionnaire, total score | 6 monhts | 
| Steps per day | Mean number of steps/day across 7 consecutive days, measured by accelerometer (ActivePal) | 6 monhts | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pain threshold | Assessed by pressure algometry | 6 monhts | 
| Autonomic cardiovascular control | Assessed by noninvasive, continuous recordings of heart rate, blood pressures and stroke volume during supine rest. | 6 monhts | 
| Cognitive function | Assessed by the instruments WISC-IV, D-KEFS, HVLT-R and WASI. | 6 monhts | 
| Neuroendocrine markers | In particular blood and urine measurements of catecholamines and the HPA axis | 6 monhts | 
| Immune markers | In particular blood measurements of cytokines | 6 monhts | 
| Bodily symptoms | Assessed by different questionnaires | 6 monhts | 
| Quality of life | Assessed by the PedsQL inventory | 6 monhts | 
| Functional disability | Assessed by the FDI inventory | 6 monhts |