From the funding notice.
Depression in paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME)
Abstract:
Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is characterised by persistent, disabling fatigue in the absence of an underlying cause. It is relatively common (1 - 2.4%) and disabling. Approximately 30% of adolescents with CFS/ME probably have depression. Those with probable co-morbid depression are more disabled, have worse fatigue and more pain than those without depression. Despite this, we know remarkably little about co-morbid depression in paediatric CFS/ME. We do not know whether depression in paediatric CFS/ME changes treatment outcome as it may do in adult CFS/ME. Epidemiological studies, clinical services and treatment trials in CFS/ME have only used questionnaires (for example, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS) and not the gold standard structured diagnostic interview to identify those with depression. We are therefore not certain what the prevalence of DSM-IV defined co-morbid clinical depression is in paediatric CFS/ME, whether particular groups of adolescents are at higher risk of developing depression and how depression affects prognosis.
Aim: To improve the recognition and treatment of adolescents with CFS/ME and co-morbid depression. Question to be addressed: What is the best way to identify and treat paediatric CFS/ME and co-morbid depression?
Plan of Investigation:
Study 1. I will establish the prevalence of co-morbid depression in a clinical cohort (N=323, age 11-18 with diagnosis of CFS/ME) using a structured diagnostic interview (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, KSADS). I will use Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves to quantify diagnostic accuracy and investigate the sensitivity and specificity and determine the optimum threshold for both the HADS and the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS).
Study 2. I will perform the following secondary data analysis from 6 month follow-up data from study 1, the RECOVERY study (a prospective cohort study, N=214) and the MAGENTA trial (a RCT comparing behavioural treatments for CFS/ME, N = 28 as of January, 2016, anticipated 220 by February, 2018). 1. Identify the characteristics associated with co-morbid depression at baseline using logistic regression. 2. Investigate whether depression affects prognosis by comparing physical function (SF-36 physical function subscale) at 6 months between those who are and are not depressed using multivariable linear regression adjusting for baseline SF36-PFS, and variables shown to be associated with depression. Additional analyses will adjust for allocated treatment in the trial. Sensitivity analyses will exclude adolescents who received CBT in the prospective cohorts.
Study 3: I will add two further questionnaires (Children's Negative Cognitive Errors Questionnaire - Revised; Cognitive and Behavioural Responses to Symptoms Questionnaire) to the FITNET-NHS trial comparing internet delivered therapies for CFS/ME (CBT versus activity management, N = 734) to investigate whether there is a difference in negative cognitive errors and cognitive and behavioural responses to CFS/ME in adolescents with and without co-morbid depression.
Study 4 -h; I will run two expert groups (15-20 multidisciplinary clinicians) and two patient advisory groups to support the development of a theoretical model of factors contributing to depression in adolescents with CFS/ME using the findings of studies 2 and 3. This will inform the development of a new treatment approach for paediatric CFS/ME with co-morbid depression. Benefits to patients and the NHS: NHS commissioners and service providers will benefit from knowing the actual prevalence of co-morbid depression in paediatric CFS/ME. Clinicians and those conducting treatment trials will benefit from knowing how best to screen for depression, and what thresholds to use on the screening tools. Clinicians will improve the targeting of treatment as they will know the characteristics of adolescents at risk of depression. Developing improved treatment will benefit patients, their families and NHS providers.
Lead Investigator(s):
Dr Maria Loades
Award:
£317,866.00
Start Date:
October 2016
End Date:
February 2022
https://fundingawards.nihr.ac.uk/award/DRF-2016-09-021