Assessment of Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence in Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study, 2025, Saranya

https://healthcare-bulletin.co.uk/a...atigue-syndrome-a-cross-sectional-study-3312/

Research Article | Volume 15 Issue 5 (May, 2025) | Pages 120 - 124
Assessment of Vitamin D Deficiency Prevalence in Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study
Pon. Saranya1
Vikrannth Vasanthakumar2
N. Deepthi3

1
Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Govt Thiruvannamalai Medical College and Hospital, India

2
Associate Professor, Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical college and Hospital, India

3
Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, India

Open Access
DOI : 10.5083/ejcm/25-05-23
Received
Feb. 18, 2025
Revised
March 15, 2025
Accepted
April 22, 2025
Published
May 7, 2025

Abstract

Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a debilitating disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that is not improved with rest and worsens with physical or mental exertion. Recent studies suggest a potential role of micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Vitamin D, in the pathophysiology and symptomatology of CFS.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in adults diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 100 adult patients (aged 18–60 years) diagnosed with CFS based on CDC criteria. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured, and deficiency was defined as <20 ng/mL. Demographic data, fatigue severity, and comorbidities were recorded and analyzed.

Results: Among the 100 participants, 68% were found to have Vitamin D deficiency, 22% had insufficiency (20–30 ng/mL), and only 10% had sufficient levels (>30 ng/mL). A significant association was found between Vitamin D deficiency and higher fatigue severity scores (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Screening for and correcting this deficiency may be a valuable adjunct in managing fatigue symptoms.

Keywords
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Vitamin D deficiency
Fatigue
Micronutrients

 

I was just looking at this one, started off with an okish definition and then quickly goes into just referring to “CFS”.

They apparently used the Fukuda criteria which may explain some of this but by the conclusion it seems to reach almost comic levels of misunderstanding

 

It seems like they forgot to consider that more fatigued people probably are outside less, and therefore might have lower vitD as a result.

 

The general population has been shown to have low vitD levels.

 

Good point, it should be compared to controls.

 

I expect the supplements industry claims that we're all deficient in all nutrients, and need to buy their supplements right now!

 

Who determines what nutrient levels are optimal for a random human, and what are the tolerances? Obviously we're not at death's door if we're 5% low one day. ME forced me to live on mostly cornstarch for a year or so, and aside from occasional VitC tablets, my nutrient intake was probably negligible. From the supplement industry claims, I probably should have been dead, or at least seriously impaired, rather than shoveling snow or soil, or other such strenuous activities. So, I don't put much weight on RDAs.