TY - JOUR
T1 - Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Burden of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Across Europe: Current Evidence and EUROMENE Research Recommendations for Epidemiology
AU - Estevez-Lopez, Fernando
AU - Mudie, Kathleen
AU - Wang-Steverding, Xia
AU - Bakken, Inger Johanne
AU - Ivanovs, Andrejs
AU - Castro-Marrero, Jesus
AU - Nacul, Luis
AU - Alegre, Jose
AU - Zalewski, Pawel
AU - Slomko, Joanna
AU - Strand, Elin Bolle
AU - Pheby, Derek
AU - Shikova, Evelina
AU - Lorusso, Lorenzo
AU - Capelli, Enrica
AU - Sekulic, Slobodan
AU - Scheibenbogen, Carmen
AU - Sepulveda, Nuno
AU - Murovska, Modra
AU - Lacerda, Eliana
PY - 2020/5
Y1 - 2020/5
N2 - This review aimed at determining the prevalence and incidence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Europe. We conducted a primary search in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science for publications between 1994 and 15 June 2019 (PROSPERO: CRD42017078688). Additionally, we performed a backward-(reference lists) and forward-(citations) search of the works included in this review. Grey literature was addressed by contacting all members of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE). Independent reviewers searched, screened and selected studies, extracted data and evaluated the methodological and reporting quality. For prevalence, two studies in adults and one study in adolescents were included. Prevalence ranged from 0.1% to 2.2%. Two studies also included incidence estimates. In conclusion, studies on the prevalence and incidence of ME/CFS in Europe were scarce. Our findings point to the pressing need for well-designed and statistically powered epidemiological studies. To overcome the shortcomings of the current state-of-the-art, EUROMENE recommends that future research is better conducted in the community, reviewing the clinical history of potential cases, obtaining additional objective information (when needed) and using adequate ME/CFS case definitions; namely, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention−1994, Canadian Consensus Criteria, or Institute of Medicine criteria.
AB - This review aimed at determining the prevalence and incidence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Europe. We conducted a primary search in Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science for publications between 1994 and 15 June 2019 (PROSPERO: CRD42017078688). Additionally, we performed a backward-(reference lists) and forward-(citations) search of the works included in this review. Grey literature was addressed by contacting all members of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE). Independent reviewers searched, screened and selected studies, extracted data and evaluated the methodological and reporting quality. For prevalence, two studies in adults and one study in adolescents were included. Prevalence ranged from 0.1% to 2.2%. Two studies also included incidence estimates. In conclusion, studies on the prevalence and incidence of ME/CFS in Europe were scarce. Our findings point to the pressing need for well-designed and statistically powered epidemiological studies. To overcome the shortcomings of the current state-of-the-art, EUROMENE recommends that future research is better conducted in the community, reviewing the clinical history of potential cases, obtaining additional objective information (when needed) and using adequate ME/CFS case definitions; namely, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention−1994, Canadian Consensus Criteria, or Institute of Medicine criteria.
KW - central nervous system diseases
KW - infections
KW - muscular diseases
KW - post-exertional malaise
KW - virus diseases
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/d979c7cd-0ce0-387f-bcd7-b4b9d680444d/
U2 - 10.3390/jcm9051557
DO - 10.3390/jcm9051557
M3 - Review article
C2 - 32455633
SN - 2077-0383
VL - 9
JO - Journal of clinical medicine
JF - Journal of clinical medicine
IS - 5
M1 - 1557
ER -