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

Chandelier

Chandelier

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
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
 
Chandelier said:
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.
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These were all U.S. cases. I don't think this necessarily implies a causal relationship of diseases between pet and pet owner. I think it suggests - at least in many cases - vector-borne diseases that the pets have that in fact do resemble ME/CFS. Anaplasmosis, Borrelia, Bartonella.

The owner has ME/CFS. The pet has one or more vector-borne diseases that are endemic to the US, and commonplace in cats and dogs, and which manifest overt symptoms similar to ME/CFS in many ways.

Or, visa-versa. :)
 
Chandelier said:
Reported dog ownership/household for ME/CFS males was 9.5 and for ME/CFS females was 7.9 (expected national average: 1.52).
Click to expand...
Does this really mean that people with ME/CFS live in households with a pack of more than 8 dogs, on average?!

Surely there must be something seriously wrong here?

Have I misunderstood something about the study?

My first thought was "selection bias". That the people that decided to answer a questionnaire about animals are the ones who are enthusiastic about and live with animals.

But that number look too high even for that. This looks like a serious error in the data collection or analysis process to me.

(Same with cats.)
 
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127 patients owned 431 animals. Wow.
And the animals had atypical diseases or illness which mimicked ME? How would you know that? cats and dogs sleep at least 16 hours per day for a start.
My cat dislikes going out and enjoys taking up space on my lying-down sofa, is entering old age and only occasionally wants to fight the toy mice or have a zoomie. None of this made me think “can cat haz ME”
 
It's like it's a riddle or something.

Chandelier said:
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.
Click to expand...
Chandelier said:
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).
Click to expand...
In one study there are 127 patients and an average pet ownership (presumably dogs+cats+goldfish etc) of less than 4 per household, which is still extraordinarily high. Maybe a lot of goldfish?

In another study, there are 127 patients, presumably the same 127 patients? But, the average dog ownership (a subset of pets) was about 8 per household...

Yeah, moving on.
 
Liie said:
Does this really mean that people ME/CFS live in household with a pack of more than 8 dogs, on average?!
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I imagine this is a function of poor wording, not 8 dogs at a given moment, but over time.

MrMagoo said:
And the animals had atypical diseases or illness which mimicked ME?
Click to expand...
Not atypical at all, at least not in the US. And yes, I can think of several diseases that, in pets, might appear similar symptom-wise to ME.

MrMagoo said:
How would you know that?
Click to expand...
Some would know. Increased signs of lethargy, a gait that is off, etc. Being chronically ill can make some more sensitive to signs that others miss. I suspect I've missed many signs of my sick pets over the years prior to getting sick myself..
 
Lou B Lou said:
Published online: 04 Dec 2011 - Why is the MEA reviving this Now?
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Published in print:
Journal Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Volume 6, 2000 - Issue 2

Veterinarian Tarello published some papers about ME/CFS in pets during that time as well:
forestglip

Thread 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Pets'

I have only quickly glanced at these papers. Only sharing because at least some of these look to be in peer-reviewed journals and related to ME/CFS. All written by the same author.

"There has been a growing suspicion, by pet owners and some vets, that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or a condition with a signs and symptoms very much like CFS occurs in companion animals, specifically, to date at least, in mammals. Far from being "just tired" this illness affects the brain, immune and endocrine systems causing a wide range of dysregulations and impairments.

Italian veterinarian Walter...
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