CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE FUNCTION AND THE OUTCOME OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

This study examined the importance of cell-mediated immunity in determ ining the long-term outcome of patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CSF). A total of 103 patients (74%) of 139 previously enrol led in one of two treatment trials conducted within a university hospi tal referral centre was reviewed a mean of 3.2 yr after trial entry. O ngoing symptom severity, levels of disability and immunological functo n were asses;ed at follow-up. The relationship between immunological f unction at trial entry and measures of outcome was' also evaluated. Si xty-five patients (63%) had improved, while only 6 (6%) reported no cu rrent symptoms. Thirty-one subjects (30%) were unable to perform any f orm of work and 26 (25%) were on a disability benefit directly attribu table to CFS. Cell-mediated immune function, as measured at trial entr y or follow-up, did not appear to affect outcome. Whilst improvement o ccurred in the majority of patients with CFS, a substantial proportion (37%) remained functionally impaired. Impairment of cell-mediated imm unological function measured during the course of the illness may not be an important factor in determining long-term outcome.