Abnormal Signs Found in Animals of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients, 2000, Glass

Chandelier

Chandelier

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Abnormal Signs Found in Animals of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

Glass, R. Tom

Abstract​

Objective: To evaluate the abnormal signs found in the domestic animals (pets) of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients.

Design: Retrospective study of the domestic animals (pets) of criteria-met ME/CFS patients using a standardized questionnaire which included patient comments.

Setting: University medical center and ME/CFS support groups throughout the United States.

Patients: A total of 127 patients met the surveillance criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the establishment of the diagnosis of ME/CFS and were included in the study.
This group of patients had a total of 463 domestic animals (pets), of which 348 animals demonstrated abnormal signs and 115 were considered healthy.

Measurements: Information from the standardized questionnaire was compiled and appropriate statistical tests, including mean, median, Z test, multivariant analysis, and Chi-square test, were used.

Results: One hundred six (83%) of the 127 ME/CFS surveyed reported that at least one of their animals (predominantly domestic pets) showed a wide range of unusual or atypical signs, many of which mimicked the signs and symptoms of ME/CFS.
The sick animals' signs were divided into General (40%), Neurological (35%), Gastrointestinal (10%), Reticuloendothelial/Blood (9%), Neoplasia (4%), and Endocrine (2%).

One of the most striking result of the study was that 113 of the 127 ME/CFS patients surveyed felt their ME/CFS symptoms were somehow associated with their animals contact.
Ninety (71%) of the 127 ME/CFS patients reported that they were the primary caretakers for multiple animals.
Other less common findings were: the onset of ME/ CFS being associated with obtaining the animal; the onset of ME/CFS being associated with a flea bite episode; prior residents having sick animals and ME/CFS; other family member contracting ME/CFS from their close association with the sick animal (as opposed to their association with the family members who had ME/CFS); ME/CFS symptoms decreasing after the pet leaving or dying.

Conclusions: A large number of animals of ME/CFS patients have atypical or unusual diseases which at least mimic ME/CFS.
Most of the 127 ME/CFS patients surveyed have significant animal interactions.

Web (Paywall) | DOI | Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
 
Sorry I have not access to the full article, just the abstract, but … …

Given we have no evidence for human to human transmission it seems strange to be hinting at trans species transmission, if that is the intention. I understand that having ME/CFS may impact on an individual’s ability to care for a pet and the activity levels of the owner may impact the behaviour of any pets, however beyond this any speculation seems foolish.

Personally I have had four pets overlapping with the 30 plus years of my ME: a Labrador that lived to 18 and three cats living variously to 19, 20 and 21. With the last cat I did need help in her care in getting her to the vets three times a week during her final year.
 
The Human/Animal Interaction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2000, Glass

Glass, R. Tom

Abstract​

Objective: To evaluate the interaction between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients and domestic animals (pets).

Design: Retrospective study of criteria-met ME/CFS patients using a standardized questionnaire which included patient comments.

Setting: University medical center and ME/CFS support groups throughout the United States.

Patients: A total of 127 patients met the surveillance criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the establishment of the diagnosis of ME/CFS and were included in the study.

Measurements: Information from the standardized questionnaire was compiled and appropriate statistical tests, including mean, median, Z test, multivariant analysis, and Chi-square test, were used.
This information was compared to national statistical information on animal interaction compiled by the American Veterinary Medicine Association.

Results: The most striking result of the study was the association between ME/CFS patients and animals (usually indoor pets) and the number of animals per ME/CFS patient.
Ninety-seven percent of the ME/CFS patients had animal contact (expected national contact: 57.9%), with only 2 males and 2 females not reporting animal contact.
Reported dog ownership/household for ME/CFS males was 9.5 and for ME/CFS females was 7.9 (expected national average: 1.52).
Reported cat ownership/household for ME/CFS males was 6.1 and for ME/CFS females was 8.7 (expected national average: 1.95).
One hundred and six of the respondents (83.5%) reported that their animals (pets) had atypical diseases with symptoms which mimicked ME/CFS in humans.
Of the 106 ME/CFS patients, 100 (94.3%) either were the primary caregiver for the sick animals or had intimate contact (sleeping with, being bitten or scratched by, or kissing the animal).

Conclusions: ME/CFS patients have a significant animal interaction and a large number of these animals have atypical or unusual diseases which at least mimic ME/CFS.



Web (Paywall) | DOI | Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
 
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