Investigating potential biomarkers in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (MECFS) patients

Samples will be collected at two time-points within a 12 month period, but the time between these two points will be a minimum of 1 month, but within 12 months (determined by the experience of a subjective 'crash'. The baseline assessment will require a series blood samples which requires approximately 55 ml for baseline and the cytokine assessment. Any unused portion of these samples will be stored for future research studies. The second occasion will require less blood to compare with the first (36 ml). Blood samples will be collected by a nurse who will also administer the questionnaires. Some questionnaires can be completed online (taking approximately 1 hour). Each study visit is expected to take approximately 1 hour. The following three questionnaires will be used as part of the interview: Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and the General Physical Activity Questionnaire (administered by the nurse interviewer) measured during the visit. Becks Depression Inventory, Flinders Sleep Questionnaire which are self administered will be completed by the participant within a week of the blood test. Then other self completion questionnaires include the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ-2), Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia Symptom checklist. We will also ask for a list of Current Medications, and List of Current Supplements. Additionally, we will take bio-metric measures such as your weight, height, blood pressure, and waist hip ratio. Timing: All samples will be taken in a condition of fasting from midnight the night before, and collected between 8am and 10am to suit participant. The questionnaires will be completed at both time points described earlier (when subjectively well, and during a subjective crash). The sleep monitoring will only occur once only as part of the baseline assessment. A crash will be a subjective experience expressed by the participant whereby they feel significantly worse than their usual level of functioning. There is no subset of participants. All participants will be asked to undergo a sleep monitoring test which involves wearing a monitor overnight. This will be a singular assessment as part of the baseline within a week of the initial samples and are an optional part of the research, which we anticipate most participants will be interested in completing. Symptom data collected on the app will be a simple list of common MECFS symptoms described in the International Consensus Criterion. The length of time the app is used for is an optional type of monitoring of symptoms, but for no longer than the period of involvement in the study, i.e. maximum 12 months. Symptoms to monitor will be selected by participants i.e. anything between 5 and 21 common symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and pain levels. A stool sample and a urine sample will be requested to collect as part of our of collection for future research. This is optional.