Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review

Marie Celine Dorczok

Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review

Titel in Übersetzung: Nahrungsergänzung zur Linderung von Fatigue-Symptomen bei Myalgischer Enzephalomyelitis/Chronischem Fatigue-Syndrom (ME/CFS) – Eine systematische Übersicht

Marie Celine Dorczok

Forschungszentrum Transitionspsychiatrie

Publikation: Konferenzbeitrag › Konferenzposter

Abstract

Hintergrund/Zielsetzung:
Myalgische Enzephalomyelitis/Chronisches Fatigue-Syndrom (ME/CFS) ist eine komplexe neuroimmunologische Erkrankung mit begrenzten Behandlungsmöglichkeiten. Trotz der weit verbreiteten Anwendung von Nahrungsergänzungsmitteln (Dietary Supplements, DS) durch ME/CFS-Betroffene zur Linderung von Fatigue und begleitenden Symptomen ist die Evidenzlage bislang uneinheitlich. Ziel dieser systematischen Übersichtsarbeit ist es, eine aktualisierte Synthese zur Wirksamkeit von DS-Interventionen bereitzustellen und mögliche zugrunde liegende Wirkmechanismen zu beleuchten.

Methoden:
Die systematische Übersichtsarbeit wurde gemäß den PRISMA-Leitlinien durchgeführt. Eine systematische Literaturrecherche erfolgte in mehreren Datenbanken (Ebsco Host, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) anhand der Suchbegriffe ME/CFS und Dietary Supplements mit Fokus auf Publikationen aus dem Zeitraum 1994 bis 2024. Primärer Outcome war Fatigue; weitere Outcomes umfassten psychisches Wohlbefinden, körperliche Aktivität und biochemische Marker. Zwei unabhängige Forschende führten ein mehrstufiges Screening der Studien durch und bewerteten Qualität und Verzerrungsrisiken mithilfe der Cochrane-Risikobewertungsinstrumente (RoB-2, ROBINS-I).

Ergebnisse:
Insgesamt wurden 14 Studien (N = 809) mit heterogenen Studiendesigns eingeschlossen, die überwiegend ein hohes Verzerrungsrisiko aufwiesen, insbesondere aufgrund fehlender Daten und Selektionsbias. Einige Interventionen (L-Carnitin und Guanidinoessigsäure, Oxalacetat, CoQ10-Selen-Kombination, NADH sowie die Kombination aus NADH und CoQ10) zeigten signifikante Reduktionen der Fatigue. Methodische Limitationen wie kleine Stichproben und unvollständige Datensätze lassen jedoch keine belastbaren Schlussfolgerungen zu. Für sekundäre Outcomes wie kognitive Funktionen und inflammatorische Marker wurden gemischte Ergebnisse berichtet. Sechs Studien dokumentierten Nebenwirkungen, darunter Übelkeit und Schlaflosigkeit.

Schlussfolgerungen:
Obwohl einige Nahrungsergänzungsmittel Potenzial zur Reduktion von Fatigue bei ME/CFS zeigen, erschweren methodische Einschränkungen und inkonsistente Befunde eindeutige Schlussfolgerungen. Zukünftige Forschung sollte verbesserte diagnostische Kriterien anwenden und diversere Populationen einschließen.

Titel in Übersetzung	Nahrungsergänzung zur Linderung von Fatigue-Symptomen bei Myalgischer Enzephalomyelitis/Chronischem Fatigue-Syndrom (ME/CFS) – Eine systematische Übersicht
Originalsprache	Englisch
Publikationsstatus	Veröffentlicht - Mai 2025
Veranstaltung	3rd International Meeting of the Charité Fatigue Center - Berlin, Deutschland Dauer: 12 Mai 2025 → 13 Mai 2025

Konferenz

Konferenz	3rd International Meeting of the Charité Fatigue Center
Land/Gebiet	Deutschland
Ort	Berlin
Zeitraum	12.05.2025 → 13.05.2025

Dieses zitieren

@conference{fd79c65f11af4d6688a66c181d293ed2,

title = "Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review",

abstract = "Background/Objectives: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex neuroimmunological disorder with limited treatment options. Despite the widespread use of Dietary Supplements (DSs) among ME/CFS patients to alleviate fatigue and associated symptoms, evidence remains inconclusive. This systematic review aims to provide an updated synthesis of the efficacy of DS interventions and explore possible mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Several databases (Ebsco Host, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) were used for the systematic search, which was based on the broad search terms ME/CFS and DS with a focus on publications between 1994 and 2024. The primary outcome was fatigue, with additional considerations including psychological well-being, physical activity, and biochemical markers. Two independent researchers screened the studies for eligibility in a multi-stage process and assessed quality and bias using Cochrane{\textquoteright}s risk of bias tools (RoB-2, ROBINS-I). Results: Fourteen studies (N = 809) of heterogeneous designs were included, showing a high risk of bias, mostly due to missing data and selection bias. While some interventions (L-carnitine and guanidinoacetic acid, oxaloacetate, CoQ10–selenium combination, NADH and NADH-CoQ10 combination) showed significant reductions in fatigue, methodological limitations, like small sample sizes and missing data, prevent firm conclusions. Mixed results were reported for secondary outcomes like cognitive function and inflammatory markers. Six studies noted adverse effects, including nausea and insomnia. Conclusions: Though some DSs showed potential in reducing fatigue in ME/CFS, methodological limitations and inconsistent results hinder definitive conclusions. Future research should improve diagnostic criteria and include more diverse populations.",

author = "Dorczok, \{Marie Celine\}",

year = "2025",

month = may,

language = "English",

note = "3rd International Meeting of the Charit{\'e} Fatigue Center ; Conference date: 12-05-2025 Through 13-05-2025",

}

TY - CONF

T1 - Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review

AU - Dorczok, Marie Celine

PY - 2025/5

Y1 - 2025/5

N2 - Background/Objectives: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex neuroimmunological disorder with limited treatment options. Despite the widespread use of Dietary Supplements (DSs) among ME/CFS patients to alleviate fatigue and associated symptoms, evidence remains inconclusive. This systematic review aims to provide an updated synthesis of the efficacy of DS interventions and explore possible mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Several databases (Ebsco Host, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) were used for the systematic search, which was based on the broad search terms ME/CFS and DS with a focus on publications between 1994 and 2024. The primary outcome was fatigue, with additional considerations including psychological well-being, physical activity, and biochemical markers. Two independent researchers screened the studies for eligibility in a multi-stage process and assessed quality and bias using Cochrane’s risk of bias tools (RoB-2, ROBINS-I). Results: Fourteen studies (N = 809) of heterogeneous designs were included, showing a high risk of bias, mostly due to missing data and selection bias. While some interventions (L-carnitine and guanidinoacetic acid, oxaloacetate, CoQ10–selenium combination, NADH and NADH-CoQ10 combination) showed significant reductions in fatigue, methodological limitations, like small sample sizes and missing data, prevent firm conclusions. Mixed results were reported for secondary outcomes like cognitive function and inflammatory markers. Six studies noted adverse effects, including nausea and insomnia. Conclusions: Though some DSs showed potential in reducing fatigue in ME/CFS, methodological limitations and inconsistent results hinder definitive conclusions. Future research should improve diagnostic criteria and include more diverse populations.

AB - Background/Objectives: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex neuroimmunological disorder with limited treatment options. Despite the widespread use of Dietary Supplements (DSs) among ME/CFS patients to alleviate fatigue and associated symptoms, evidence remains inconclusive. This systematic review aims to provide an updated synthesis of the efficacy of DS interventions and explore possible mechanisms underlying their therapeutic effects. Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Several databases (Ebsco Host, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) were used for the systematic search, which was based on the broad search terms ME/CFS and DS with a focus on publications between 1994 and 2024. The primary outcome was fatigue, with additional considerations including psychological well-being, physical activity, and biochemical markers. Two independent researchers screened the studies for eligibility in a multi-stage process and assessed quality and bias using Cochrane’s risk of bias tools (RoB-2, ROBINS-I). Results: Fourteen studies (N = 809) of heterogeneous designs were included, showing a high risk of bias, mostly due to missing data and selection bias. While some interventions (L-carnitine and guanidinoacetic acid, oxaloacetate, CoQ10–selenium combination, NADH and NADH-CoQ10 combination) showed significant reductions in fatigue, methodological limitations, like small sample sizes and missing data, prevent firm conclusions. Mixed results were reported for secondary outcomes like cognitive function and inflammatory markers. Six studies noted adverse effects, including nausea and insomnia. Conclusions: Though some DSs showed potential in reducing fatigue in ME/CFS, methodological limitations and inconsistent results hinder definitive conclusions. Future research should improve diagnostic criteria and include more diverse populations.

M3 - Poster at a conference

T2 - 3rd International Meeting of the Charité Fatigue Center

Y2 - 12 May 2025 through 13 May 2025

ER -

Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)—A Systematic Review

Abstract

Konferenz

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