Ms. Repka-ramirez et al., IgE levels are the same in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and control subjects when stratified by allergy skin test results and rhinitis types, ANN ALLER A, 87(3), 2001, pp. 218-221
Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has an uncertain pathogenesis. A
llergies have been suggested as one cause.
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E
in CFS and control subjects to determine whether I-E levels were elevated i
n CFS. This would be suggestive of increased atopy in CFS.
Methods: IgE was measured by quantitative ELISA (sandwich) immunoassay in 9
5 CFS and 109 non-CFS control subjects. Subjects were classified by positiv
e or negative allergy skin tests (AST) and rhinitis questionnaires (rhiniti
s score, RhSc) into four rhinitis types: nonallergic rhinitis (NAR with pos
itive RhSc and negative AST); allergic rhinitis (AR with positive AST and R
hSc); atopic/no rhinitis (AST positive/RhSc negative); and nonatopic/no rhi
nitis (both AST and RhSc negative) subjects.
Results: IgE was not significantly different between control (128 +/- 18 IU
/mL, mean +/- SEM) and CFS (133 +/- 43 IU/mL) groups, or between control an
d CFS groups classified into the four rhinitis types. IgE was significantly
higher in subjects with positive AST whether or not they had positive RhSc
or CFS symptoms.
Conclusions: Elevated IgE and positive AST indicate allergen sensitization,
but are not necessarily indicators of symptomatic allergic diseases. There
was no association between IgE levels and CFS, indicating that atopy was p
robably not more prevalent in CFS. Therefore, TH2-lymphocyte and IgE-mast c
ell mechanisms are unlikely causes of CFS.