Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection

Abstract

ObjectiveCognitive difficulties are among the most disruptive and disabling problems reported by chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sufferers. Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a trigger of chronic fatigue (CF) and CFS. The aim of this study was to investigate subjectively reported and objectively measured cognitive functioning in fatigued and non-fatigued adolescents six months after EBV infection. MethodsA total of 195 adolescents (12–19 years) with acute EBV infection were followed prospectively for six months, after which they were grouped as chronically fatigued (CF+) and non-fatigued (CF−) cases based on questionnaire score; the CF+-group was further subgrouped according to CFS diagnosis. A group of 70 healthy controls was also included. Groups were cross-sectionally compared on objective measures of processing speed, executive functions and memory, and subjective cognitive functioning. ResultsThere were no group differences regarding objective cognitive measures, but the CF+-group reported significantly (p < 0.001) more cognitive problems (cognitive symptoms sum score = 9.5) compared to the CF−-group (cognitive symptoms sum score = 5.3) and the healthy control group (cognitive symptoms sum score = 6.4). The CFS subgroup rated symptoms scores even higher but did not differ on cognitive performance tests. ConclusionSubjective experiences of cognitive difficulties characterize adolescents with CF and CFS six months after acute EBV infection, whereas objective measures of cognitive impairment are inconspicuous.