Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome, 2010, Wyller et al

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Hormonal alterations in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome

Spoiler: Authors

Wyller, Vegard Bruun; Evang, Johan Arild; Godang, Kristin; Solhjell, Kari K.; Bollerslev, Jens

Aim
The chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with alterations in the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐adrenal axis and cardiovascular autonomic nervous activity, suggesting a central dysregulation. This study explored differences among adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome patients and healthy controls regarding antidiuretic hormone, the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone‐system, sex hormones and cardiac peptides.

Methods
We included a consecutive sample of 67 adolescents aged 12–18 years with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations, and a volunteer sample of 55 healthy control subjects of equal gender and age distribution. Hormones were assayed with standard laboratory methods.

Results
Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.001). Serum concentration of aldosterone, cortisol, NT‐proBNP and sex hormones were not significantly different in the two groups.

Conclusion
Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents is associated with alterations in hormonal systems controlling osmolality and blood volume, possibly supporting a theory of central dysregulation.

Web | DOI | PDF | Acta Paediatrica

 

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This is a 2010 study.

Among patients, plasma antidiuretic hormone was significantly decreased and serum osmolality and plasma renin activity were significantly increased (p ≤ 0.001).

See similar finding in a new study (note that antidiuretic hormone is a synonym for vasopressin):

Low Vasopressin In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2025, Endocrine Practice (Link to thread)

[Plasma osmolality] was abnormally high (>292 mOsm/kg) in 71/124 (57.3%)

[Plasma vasopressin] was below the level of detection (<1.6 pg/mL) in 91/111 (82.0%) patients.

 

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Note that the case definition is only based on fatigue:

The frequently used definition from the International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group requires at least 6 months of chronic or relapsing fatigue, severely affecting daily activities, as well as more than four of eight specific accompanying symptoms (7). The validity of this definition has been questioned, particularly in the paediatric population (1). Therefore, in this study, three consecutive months of disabling fatigue was sufficient for inclusion and no accompanying symptoms were required.