title: Multivitamin mineral supplementation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by medically unexplained persistent or reoccurring fatigue lasting at least 6 months. CFS has a multifactorial pathogenesis in which oxidative stress (OS) plays a prominent role. Treatment is with a vitamin and mineral supplement, but this therapeutic option so far has not been properly researched.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study included 38 women of reproductive age consecutively diagnosed by CDC definition of CFS and treated with a multivitamin mineral supplement. Before and after the 2-month supplementation, SOD activity was determined and patients self-assessed their improvement in 2 questionnaires: the Fibro Fatigue Scale (FFS) and the Quality of Life Scale (SF36). Results There was a significant improvement in SOD activity levels; and significant decreases in fatigue (p=0.0009), sleep disorders (p=0.008), autonomic nervous system symptoms (p=0.018), frequency and intensity of headaches (p=0.0001), and subjective feeling of infection (p=0.0002). No positive effect on quality of life was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with a vitamin and mineral supplement could be a safe and easy way to improve symptoms and quality of life in patients with CFS.
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maric
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Snezana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brkic
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Slavica
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tomic
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Novakov Mikic
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cebovic
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center Vojvodina, Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Turkulov
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D055771:Serbia; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase