Multi-Center Registry for ME/CFS
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: ME/CFS, CFS/ME, ME/CFS Following EBV-associated Infectious Mononucleosis, ME/CFS Following COVID-19. Basic parameters: from 0 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Germany
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Multi-Center Registry for ME/CFS, Including ME/CFS Following Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Infectious Mononucleosis (EBV-IM) or Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19)
Overview
The ME/CFS study (MECFS-R) aims to create a large-scale registry that provides data on epidemiology, phenotypes, and disease trajectories of and health care for ME/CFS at any age in Germany, which can be used for future clinical trials.
Detailed description
ME/CFS (ICD-10 G93.3) is a multisystem chronic disease that can lead to severe disability. Pre-pandemic prevalence was estimated at approximately 0.3% worldwide, and increasing prevalence is observed due to ME/CFS in the context of long-term sequelae of coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). In Germany, the number of affected people in Germany was estimated as approximately 350.000-400.000 in 2018/2019 and almost 500.000 in 2021. ME/CFS can manifest at any age, with peak prevalence in adolescents and young adults. Common triggers include COVID, influenza, and Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM). Non-infectious triggers are known as well. Autoimmunity and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) were suggested as possible pathomechanisms. Core symptoms include fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), and unrefreshing sleep. Additional symptoms comprise cognitive deficits ("brain fog"), orthostatic intolerance, neuroendocrine, and immunological symptoms. ME/CFS is diagnosed according to clinical criteria (mostly criteria by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) or Canadian Consensus Criteria) and by appropriate differential diagnostics to exclude other disorders with similar symptoms. So far, no biomarker or specific therapy is available. Therapeutic approaches are holistic and aim at the palliation of symptoms as well as psychosocial support. Self-management with pacing is recommended. Knowledge of ME/CFS among healthcare providers is still scarce, and many patients do not receive adequate care.
With this web-based, German-wide registry, the investigators aim at deep phenotyping of the disease, identification of subtypes and risk factors, describing trajectories of the disease and patient journeys, and providing clinical data for future clinical trials. Patients are also invited to contribute biosamples for future translational research.
Primary outcome measures
- Phenotyping ME/CFS: Medical History [Time frame: 30 years]
- Assessment of routine physical examination findings [Time frame: 30 years]
- Number of participants with abnormal laboratory tests results [Time frame: 30 years]
- Number of participants with abnormal technical exam results [Time frame: 30 years]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Evaluation of Patient Journeys [Time frame: 30 years]
- Definition of Sub-cohorts [Time frame: 30 years]
- Prevalence of Comorbidities [Time frame: 30 years]
- Identification of Candidate Prognostic Markers [Time frame: 30 years]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- ME/CFS diagnosis (ICD-10 G93.3) based on internationally established criteria
- Informed consent by patients and/or guardian(s)
Exclusion criteria
- No ME/CFS (ICD-10 G93.3)
- No informed consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
Study locations
Germany · 1 center
- MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People (MCFC) Children's Hospital, Technical Universi — Munich
Publications
- Hieber H, Pricoco R, Gerrer K, Heindrich C, Wiehler K, Mihatsch LL, Haegele M, Schindler D, Donath Q, Christa C, Grabbe A, Kircher A, Leone A, Mueller Y, Zietemann H, Freitag H, Sotzny F, Warlitz C, Stojanov S, Hattesohl DBR, Hausruckinger A, Mittelstrass K, Scheibenbogen C, Behrends U. The German Multicenter Registry for ME/CFS (MECFS-R). J Clin Med. 2024 May 28;13(11):3168. doi: 10.3390/jcm13113 PMID 38892879
Identifiers
NCT: NCT05778006 · MECFS-R