Baroreceptor reflex and integrative stress responses in chronic fatigue syndrome

Arnold Peckerman, John J. Lamanca, Bushra Qureishi, Kristina A. Dahl, Roseli Golfetti, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, Benjamin H. Natelson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: Altered cardiovascular responses to mental and postural stressors have been reported in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study examined whether those findings may involve changes in baroreceptor reflex functioning. Methods: Chronotropic baroreceptor reflex (by sequential analysis) and cardiovascular stress responses were recorded during postural (5-minute of active standing) and cognitive (speech task) stress testing in patients with CFS grouped into cases with severe (N = 21) or less severe (N = 22) illness, and in 29 matched control subjects. Results: Patients with CFS had a greater decline in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity (BRS) during standing, although only those with severe CFS were significantly different from the controls. Systolic blood pressure declined during standing in the control group but was maintained in the CFS patients. In contrast, the patients with less severe CFS had blunted increases in blood pressure during the speech task, which could not, however, be explained by inadequate inhibition of the baroreceptor reflex, with all groups showing an appropriate reduction in BRS during the task. Conclusions: These results indicate that in CFS, deficiencies in orthostatic regulation, but not in centrally mediated stress responses, may involve the baroreceptor reflex. This study also suggests that classifying patients with CFS on illness severity may discriminate between patients with abnormalities in peripheral vs. central mechanisms of cardiovascular stress responses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)889-895
Number of pages7
JournalPsychosomatic Medicine
Volume65
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Baroreceptor reflex
  • Cardiovascular reactivity
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Orthostasis

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Baroreceptor reflex and integrative stress responses in chronic fatigue syndrome'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this