Morriss, R, Sharpe, M, Sharpley, A L et al. · BMJ (Clinical research ed.) · 1993 · DOI
This study compared sleep patterns between 12 people with ME/CFS and 12 healthy volunteers using both sleep diaries and objective monitoring devices. People with ME/CFS spent more time in bed but slept less efficiently, woke up more after falling asleep, and were more likely to have sleep disorders. The researchers concluded that sleep problems are common in ME/CFS and may contribute to daytime fatigue.
This study provides objective polysomnographic evidence that sleep abnormalities are common in ME/CFS and may partially explain daytime fatigue—a cardinal symptom. Understanding sleep dysfunction in ME/CFS could inform treatment strategies targeting sleep quality and help distinguish whether sleep problems are primary features of the syndrome or secondary consequences of other pathological processes.
This study does not prove that sleep disorders cause ME/CFS fatigue; sleep abnormalities could be a consequence of the disease rather than a cause. The small sample size and lack of longitudinal follow-up mean we cannot determine whether treating sleep disorders would improve overall ME/CFS symptoms or functional capacity. The study also cannot distinguish whether observed sleep abnormalities are specific to ME/CFS or occur in other fatiguing illnesses.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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