World J Neurol. May 31, 2023; 9(3): 17-27 Published online May 31, 2023. doi: 10.5316/wjn.v9.i3.17
Alcohol intolerance and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
Jessica Maciuch, Leonard A Jason
Jessica Maciuch, Leonard A Jason, Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Author contributions: Maciuch J and Jason LA contributed equally to this work, designed the research, performed the research, analyzed data, and wrote the paper.
Institutional review board statement: Approval obtained from the DePaul Institutional Review Board.
Institutional animal care and use committee statement: Animals were not used in this study.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.
Data sharing statement: Data will be shared when investigators contact the corresponding author.
ARRIVE guidelines statement: The authors have read the ARRIVE guidelines, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the ARRIVE guidelines.
Corresponding author: Leonard A Jason, PhD, Professor, Center for Community Research, DePaul University, 990 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, United States. ljason@depaul.edu
Received: December 27, 2022 Peer-review started: December 27, 2022 First decision: April 13, 2023 Revised: April 13, 2023 Accepted: May 6, 2023 Article in press: May 6, 2023 Published online: May 31, 2023 Processing time: 154 Days and 9.8 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The literature is mixed about the occurrence of alcohol intolerance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Surveys that asked respondents with ME/CFS whether they experienced alcohol intolerance within a recent time frame might produce inaccurate results because respondents may indicate that the symptom was not present if they avoid alcohol due to alcohol intolerance.
AIM
To overcome this methodologic problem, participants in the current study were asked whether they have avoided alcohol in the past 6 mo, and if they had, how severe their alcohol intolerance would be if they were to drink alcohol.
METHODS
The instrument used was a validated scale called the DePaul symptom questionnaire. Independent t-tests were performed among the alcohol intolerant or not alcohol intolerant group. The alcohol intolerant group had 208 participants, and the not alcohol intolerant group had 96 participants.
RESULTS
Using specially designed questions to properly identify those with alcohol intolerance, those who experienced alcohol intolerance vs those who did not experience alcohol intolerance experienced more frequent/severe symptoms and domains. In addition, using a multiple regression analysis, the orthostatic intolerance symptom domain was related to alcohol intolerance.
CONCLUSION
The findings from the current study indicated that those with ME/CFS are more likely to experience alcohol intolerance. In addition, those with this symptom have more overall symptoms than those without alcohol intolerance.
Core Tip: The findings from the current study indicated that those with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome are more likely to experience alcohol intolerance.
