Chronic Fatigue Following Acute Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Adolescents (CEBA)

University Hospital, Akershus

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02335437

CEBA

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Enrollment: 270 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 12 to 20 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

270 participants in 2 patient groups

Acute EBV infection

Healthy controls