Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection

Merete Glenne Øie; Astrid Sofie Buer Rødø; Maria Sletten Bølgen; Maria Pedersen; Tarjei Tørre Asprusten; Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111063

Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection

J Psychosom Res. 2022 Dec:163:111063. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111063. Epub 2022 Oct 17.

Authors

Merete Glenne Øie¹, Astrid Sofie Buer Rødø², Maria Sletten Bølgen², Maria Pedersen³, Tarjei Tørre Asprusten³, Vegard Bruun Bratholm Wyller³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094, 0317 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: m.g.oie@psykologi.uio.no.
² Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1094, 0317 Oslo, Norway.
³ Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Dept. of Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.

PMID: 36327530
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111063

Abstract

Objective: Cognitive difficulties are among the most disruptive and disabling problems reported by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sufferers. Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a trigger of chronic fatigue (CF) and CFS. The aim of this study was to investigate subjectively reported and objectively measured cognitive functioning in fatigued and non-fatigued adolescents six months after EBV infection.

Methods: A total of 195 adolescents (12-19 years) with acute EBV infection were followed prospectively for six months, after which they were grouped as chronically fatigued (CF⁺) and non-fatigued (CF^-) cases based on questionnaire score; the CF⁺-group was further subgrouped according to CFS diagnosis. A group of 70 healthy controls was also included. Groups were cross-sectionally compared on objective measures of processing speed, executive functions and memory, and subjective cognitive functioning.

Results: There were no group differences regarding objective cognitive measures, but the CF⁺-group reported significantly (p < 0.001) more cognitive problems (cognitive symptoms sum score = 9.5) compared to the CF^--group (cognitive symptoms sum score = 5.3) and the healthy control group (cognitive symptoms sum score = 6.4). The CFS subgroup rated symptoms scores even higher but did not differ on cognitive performance tests.

Conclusion: Subjective experiences of cognitive difficulties characterize adolescents with CF and CFS six months after acute EBV infection, whereas objective measures of cognitive impairment are inconspicuous.

Keywords: Adolescents; Chronic fatigue; Cognition; Epstein-Barr virus infection; Fatigue.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Cognition
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections* / complications
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / complications
Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic* / diagnosis
Herpesvirus 4, Human
Humans