Category: Overlapping Illnesses

Chronic fatigue syndrome and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Association or cause?

To the editor:

In their letter to the editor Response to: Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue caused by non-celiac gluten sensitivity, Qanneta et al. pose a conceptual problem between the association of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (SGNC) from the prevalent conception of considering chronic fatigue as a distinct disease. From this perspective, being chronic fatigue the central disease associated with other processes, they consider NCGS as a comorbid condition and not as an underlying cause.

You can read the rest of this letter here: http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/en/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-non-celiac-gluten/articulo/S2173574314001762/

Comment on

 

Source: Isasi Zaragozá C. Chronic fatigue syndrome and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Association or cause?Reumatol Clin. 2015 May-Jun;11(3):184. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2014.10.010. Epub 2014 Dec 10. http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/en/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-non-celiac-gluten/articulo/S2173574314001762/ (Full article)

 

What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia

Abstract:

The current study had two objectives. (1) to compare objective and self-report measures in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) according to the 1994 Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy controls, and (2) to contrast CFS patients who only fulfill CDC criteria to those who also fulfill the criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), the 2003 Canadian criteria for ME/CFS, or the comorbid diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM).

One hundred six participants (48 CFS patients diagnosed following the 1994 CDC criteria, 19 MS patients, and 39 healthy controls) completed questionnaires assessing symptom severity, quality of life, daily functioning, and psychological factors. Objective measures consisted of activity monitoring, evaluation of maximal voluntary contraction and muscle recovery, and cognitive performance. CFS patients were screened whether they also fulfilled ME criteria, the Canadian criteria, and the diagnosis of FM.

CFS patients scored higher on symptom severity, lower on quality of life, and higher on depression and kinesiophobia and worse on MVC, muscle recovery, and cognitive performance compared to the MS patients and the healthy subjects. Daily activity levels were also lower compared to healthy subjects. Only one difference was found between those fulfilling the ME criteria and those who did not regarding the degree of kinesiophobia (lower in ME), while comorbidity for FM significantly increased the symptom burden.

CFS patients report more severe symptoms and are more disabled compared to MS patients and healthy controls. Based on the present study, fulfillment of the ME or Canadian criteria did not seem to give a clinically different picture, whereas a diagnosis of comorbid FM selected symptomatically worse and more disabled patients.

 

Source: Meeus M, Ickmans K, Struyf F, Kos D, Lambrecht L, Willekens B, Cras P, Nijs J. What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia. Clin Rheumatol. 2016 Jan;35(1):191-203. doi: 10.1007/s10067-014-2793-x. Epub 2014 Oct 14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25308475

 

Multiple Sclerosis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome overlap: When two common disorders collide

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a major cause of disability and handicap in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. The management of this common problem is often difficult. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) is another common cause of fatigue which is prevalent in the same population of middle aged females commonly affected by MS.

AIM: This report aims at examining the potential coexistence of MS and CFS/ME in the same patients.

METHOD: This is a retrospective study examining a cohort of MS patients referred for rehabilitation. The subjects were screened for CFS/ME symptoms.

RESULTS: Sixty-four MS patients (43 females) were screened for CFS/ME. Nine patients (14%) with a mean age 52 (SD 9.7) who were all females fulfilled the Fukuda criteria for diagnosis of CFS/ME. Their symptoms, including muscular and joint pain, malaise and recurrent headaches, were not explained by the pattern of their MS.

DISCUSSION: MS and CFS/ME are two common conditions with increased prevalence in middle aged females. As the diagnosis of CFS/ME is clinical with no positive clinical signs or investigations; it can be made with difficulty in the presence of another clear explanation for the disabling fatigue. Our results suggest that the two conditions may co-exist. Considering CFS/ME as a potential co-morbidity may lead to more focused and appropriate management.

 

Source: Gaber TA, Oo WW, Ringrose H. Multiple Sclerosis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome overlap: When two common disorders collide. NeuroRehabilitation. 2014;35(3):529-34. doi: 10.3233/NRE-141146. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25238862

 

High flow variant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome amplifies the cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents

Abstract:

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is characterized by chronic fatigue and dizziness and affected individuals by definition have orthostatic intolerance and tachycardia. There is considerable overlap of symptoms in patients with POTS and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), prompting speculation that POTS is akin to a deconditioned state.

We previously showed that adolescents with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) have excessive heart rate (HR) during, and slower HR recovery after, exercise – hallmarks of deconditioning. We also noted exaggerated cardiac output during exercise which led us to hypothesize that tachycardia could be a manifestation of a high output state rather than a consequence of deconditioning.

We audited records of adolescents presenting with long-standing history of any mix of fatigue, dizziness, nausea, who underwent both head-up tilt table test and maximal exercise testing with measurement of cardiac output at rest plus 2-3 levels of exercise, and determined the cardiac output () versus oxygen uptake () relationship. Subjects with chronic fatigue were diagnosed with POTS if their HR rose ≥40 beat·min(-1) with head-up tilt.

Among 107 POTS patients the distribution of slopes for the , relationship was skewed toward higher slopes but showed two peaks with a split at ~7.0 L·min(-1) per L·min(-1), designated as normal (5.08 ± 1.17, N = 66) and hyperkinetic (8.99 ± 1.31, N = 41) subgroups. In contrast, cardiac output rose appropriately with in 141 patients with chronic fatigue but without POTS, exhibiting a normal distribution and an average slope of 6.10 ± 2.09 L·min(-1) per L·min(-1). Mean arterial blood pressure and pulse pressure from rest to exercise rose similarly in both groups.

We conclude that 40% of POTS adolescents demonstrate a hyperkinetic circulation during exercise. We attribute this to failure of normal regional vasoconstriction during exercise, such that patients must increase flow through an inappropriately vasodilated systemic circulation to maintain perfusion pressure.

© 2014 The Authors. Physiological Reports published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Physiological Society and The Physiological Society.

 

Source: Pianosi PT, Goodloe AH, Soma D, Parker KO, Brands CK, Fischer PR. High flow variant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome amplifies the cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents. Physiol Rep. 2014 Aug 28;2(8). pii: e12122. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12122. Print 2014 Aug 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4246579/ (Full article)

 

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome caused by non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Dear Editor:

Sensitivity to gluten with negative celiac disease testing or non-celiac sensitivity to gluten is a recently recognized problem with clinical manifestations that are superimposed with those of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome.

We present the case of a 40-year-old woman who came to the clinic with a 7-year history of generalized pain and chronic fatigue. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by several rheumatologists and complied with the 1990 American College or Rheumatology criteria. She also presented chronic fatigue syndrome criteria. She had concentration and memory problems, «foggy mind», and intermittent diarrhea. The severity of the affection led to limitation in her daily activities which limited her to bed rest in spite of several visits to specialists in rheumatology, gastroenterology and alternative medicine/homeopathy. In addition to the typical symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and intermittent diarrhea, she had oral ulcers, autoimmune hypothyroidism and a history of iron deficiency. She had undergone multiple studies with normal findings, including anti-transglutaminase IgA antibodies to rule out celiac disease.

We suspected sensitivity to gluten and more studies were performed. Laboratory studies showed iron deficiency and low vitamin D levels. On a screening test for anti-transglutaminase and anti-deaminated gliadin peptide antibodies, both IgG and IgA were negative. HLA typing showed the presence of DQ2 (DQA1*05 DQB1*02). Gastroscopy showed small erythematous lesions on the duodenal bulb. Duodenal biopsies showed normal villi structure and lymphocytic duodenitis with apical redistribution, 28 CD3 lymphocytes for every 100 enterocytes (stage I Marsh lesions). Urease testing for Helicobacter pylori was positive. Celiac disease was ruled out due to the absence of specific antibodies or intestinal villi atrophy, though we still suspected sensitivity to gluten. A gluten-free diet was recommended without treating the infection by Helicobacter pylori.

You can read the rest of this letter here: http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/en/fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-caused/articulo/S2173574314001403/

Comment in

 

Source: Isasi C, Tejerina E, Fernandez-Puga N, Serrano-Vela JI. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome caused by non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Reumatol Clin. 2015 Jan-Feb;11(1):56-7. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2014.06.005. Epub 2014 Jul 19. [Article in English, Spanish] http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/es/linkresolver/fibromialgia-fatiga-cronica-causada-por/S1699258X14001326/ (Full article)

A case of femoral arteriovenous fistula causing high-output cardiac failure, originally misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Percutaneous arterial catheterisation is commonly undertaken for a range of diagnostic and interventional procedures. Iatrogenic femoral arteriovenous fistulas are an uncommon complication of these procedures. Most are asymptomatic and close spontaneously, but can rarely increase in size leading to the development of symptoms. We report a case of an iatrogenic femoral arteriovenous fistula, causing worsening congestive cardiac failure, in a 34-year-old marathon runner. This was originally diagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. Following clinical examination, duplex ultrasound, and CT angiography a significant arteriovenous fistula was confirmed. Elective open surgery was performed, leading to a dramatic and rapid improvement in symptoms. Femoral arteriovenous fistulas have the potential to cause significant haemodynamic effects and can present many years after the initial procedure. Conservative, endovascular, and open surgical management strategies are available.

 

Source: Porter J, Al-Jarrah Q, Richardson S. A case of femoral arteriovenous fistula causing high-output cardiac failure, originally misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome. Case Rep Vasc Med. 2014;2014:510429. doi: 10.1155/2014/510429. Epub 2014 May 20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055063/ (Full article)

 

Lumbar puncture, chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a cross-sectional study

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: Unsuspected idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is found in a significant minority of patients attending clinics with named headache syndromes, if it is specifically sought out. Chronic fatigue syndrome is frequently associated with headache. Could the same be true of chronic fatigue? Moreover, there are striking similarities between the two conditions. Could they be related? Attempting to answer these questions, we describe the results of a change in clinical practice aimed at capturing patients with chronic fatigue who might have IIH.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Hospital outpatient and radiology departments.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients attending a specialist clinic with chronic fatigue syndrome and headache who had lumbar puncture to exclude raised intracranial pressure.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intracranial pressure measured at lumbar puncture and the effect on headache of cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

RESULTS: Mean cerebrospinal fluid pressure was 19 cm H2O (range 12-41 cm H2O). Four patients fulfilled the criteria for IIH. Thirteen others did not have pressures high enough to diagnose IIH but still reported an improvement in headache after drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. Some patients also volunteered an improvement in other symptoms, including fatigue. No patient had any clinical signs of raised intracranial pressure.

CONCLUSIONS: An unknown, but possibly substantial, minority of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may actually have IIH. An unknown, but much larger, proportion of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome do not have IIH by current criteria but respond to lumbar puncture in the same way as patients who do. This suggests that the two conditions may be related.

 

Source: Higgins N, Pickard J, Lever A. Lumbar puncture, chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a cross-sectional study. JRSM Short Rep. 2013 Nov 21;4(12):2042533313507920. doi: 10.1177/2042533313507920. eCollection 2013. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899735/ (Full article)

 

A role for homeostatic drive in the perpetuation of complex chronic illness: Gulf War Illness and chronic fatigue syndrome

Erratum in

  • PLoS One. 2014;9(4):e94161.
  • PLoS One. 2014;9(6):e100355.

Abstract:

A key component in the body’s stress response, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis orchestrates changes across a broad range of major biological systems. Its dysfunction has been associated with numerous chronic diseases including Gulf War Illness (GWI) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Though tightly coupled with other components of endocrine and immune function, few models of HPA function account for these interactions.

Here we extend conventional models of HPA function by including feed-forward and feedback interaction with sex hormone regulation and immune response. We use this multi-axis model to explore the role of homeostatic regulation in perpetuating chronic conditions, specifically GWI and CFS. An important obstacle in building these models across regulatory systems remains the scarcity of detailed human in vivo kinetic data as its collection can present significant health risks to subjects. We circumvented this using a discrete logic representation based solely on literature of physiological and biochemical connectivity to provide a qualitative description of system behavior. This connectivity model linked molecular variables across the HPA axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in men and women, as well as a simple immune network. Inclusion of these interactions produced multiple alternate homeostatic states and sexually dimorphic responses.

Experimental data for endocrine-immune markers measured in male GWI subjects showed the greatest alignment with predictions of a naturally occurring alternate steady state presenting with hypercortisolism, low testosterone and a shift towards a Th1 immune response. In female CFS subjects, expression of these markers aligned with an alternate homeostatic state displaying hypocortisolism, high estradiol, and a shift towards an anti-inflammatory Th2 activation. These results support a role for homeostatic drive in perpetuating dysfunctional cortisol levels through persistent interaction with the immune system and HPG axis. Though coarse, these models may nonetheless support the design of robust treatments that might exploit these regulatory regimes.

 

Source: Craddock TJ, Fritsch P, Rice MA Jr, del Rosario RM, Miller DB, Fletcher MA, Klimas NG, Broderick G. A role for homeostatic drive in the perpetuation of complex chronic illness: Gulf War Illness and chronic fatigue syndrome. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 8;9(1):e84839. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084839. ECollection 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3885655/ (Full article)

 

Impact of the fibromyalgia in the chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Different studies have showed association of the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with other pathologies, including fibromyalgia (FM). The objective of this study is to analyze whether there are differences in the clinic and in the assessment of fatigue in CFS patients associated or not with FM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, single-site observational study was undertaken on a consecutive cases of a register of CFS patients at CFS Unit in Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, from January 2008 until March 2011. The variables analyzed were FM comorbidity, sleep and fatigue characteristics and cognitive, neurological and autonomic symptoms. Questionnaires of fatigue impact scale, fatigue strength and impact on quality of life SF-36 were evaluated.

RESULTS: We included 980 CFS patients (mean age: 48±9 years; 91% women). Fibromyalgia was present in 528 patients (54%). The level of fatigue (P=.001) and pain (P<.001) was higher in FM patients. Patients with CFS and FM had more prevalence of sleep-related phenomena. The percentage of patients and the degree of severity of cognitive symptoms, neurological and autonomic dysfunction was higher in FM patients (P<.001). FM patients scored higher on the fatigue impact scale (P<.001) and showed worse results in the quality of life questionnaire (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS: FM co-morbidity worse clinical parameters, fatigue and the perception of quality of life in CFS patients.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.

 

Source: Faro M, Sáez-Francàs N, Castro-Marrero J, Aliste L, Collado A, Alegre J. Impact of the fibromyalgia in the chronic fatigue syndrome. Med Clin (Barc). 2014 Jun 16;142(12):519-25. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2013.06.030. Epub 2014 Jan 2. [Article in Spanish] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24387955

 

Etiology of sicca syndrome in a consecutive series of 199 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Dear Sir,

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a heterogeneous and multisystemic disorder of unknown pathogenesis and etiology. It is characterized by prolonged generalized and abnormal fatigue post-exercise (98%), recurrent headache (90%) and problems of concentration and memory (85%) that have lasted for at least 6 months. It is accompanied by such other symptoms as tender lymph nodes (80%), musculoskeletal pain (75%) and psychiatric problems (65%).1,2 The prevalence of CFS is estimated to be between 0.5 and 2.5%, predominantly in women (4:1).1,2 Many patients with CFS also complain of sicca symptoms in up to 30–87%, and are more likely to have thyroid disorder and sleep disruption;2,3 that may suggest an underlying role of the immune system in these patients. Primary Sjögren’ syndrome (PSS) is a systemic autoimmune disease, that presents chronic exocrine glands hypofunction leading to xerostomia and/or xerophthalmia, and extraglandular involvement, of which autoimmune hypothyroidism (AIHT) is the most common autoimmune disease developed4. Patients with PSS, also experience CFS-like musculoskeletal and neurocognitive symptoms more than 50%, and the two disorders share some similar immunologic defects.4 The purpose of this study was to determine the causality of sicca symptoms in 199 consecutive patients diagnosed as having CFS, and the possible association with PSS, although few studies that have examined this association (between 2010 and 2012 in our chronic fatigue unit of Joan XXIII University Hospital) according to the Fukuda’ criteria of 1994.

You can read the rest of this article here: http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/en/etiology-sicca-syndrome-in-consecutive/articulo/S2173574314001075/

 

Source: Qanneta R, Fontova R, Pàmies A. Etiology of sicca syndrome in a consecutive series of 199 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Reumatol Clin. 2014 Jul-Aug;10(4):269-70. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Dec 17. http://www.reumatologiaclinica.org/en/etiology-sicca-syndrome-in-consecutive/articulo/S2173574314001075/ (Full article)