Stockholm university

Research project Fatigue cohort

Fatigue is anecdotally one of the most commonly reported and disabling symptoms after COVID-19 and is the cardinal symptom in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and exhaustion disorder (ED).

Walnuts. Photo by NickyPe from Pixabay.

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, with the full title Fatigue cohort: A longitudinal study of persistent complicated fatigue, we jointly investigate immunological, nutritional, psychological and neurological (brain network connectivity) mechanisms comparing patients with fatigue and healthy controls.

Our hypothesis is that there are shared biopsychosocial vulnerability factors to develop and maintain fatigue, irrespective of the main diagnosis. We also hypothesise that there are subgroups that differ in terms of these factors.

This study is based on an ongoing cohort on fatigue in Stockholm (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04955587) and a sister study starting up in Linköping during 2021.

Patients with post-COVID fatigue, ME/CFS and ED are being followed for 24 months with blood samples for peripheral biological markers and questionnaire reports at baseline and month 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24. In addition, a urine metabolic test and a 3-day diet registration are performed at one time point.

The long-term goals with the project include improved health-care and consequently improved functioning, health and quality of life for affected patients. 

Project members

Project managers

Anna Andreasson

Associate Professor

Department of Psychology
Anna Andreasson Foto: Henrik Dunér

Anna-Karin Norlin

General Practioner, PhD

Linköping University Hospital

Members

Bijar Ghafouri

Professor

Linköping University

Péter Alföldi

Psychiatrist, PhD

Stressmottagningen Stockholm

Therese Liljebo

Licensed dietician, PhD Student

Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Solna

Hannah Linnros

Neuro Psychologist and PhD Student

Linköping University Hospital