Category: Pediatric ME/CFS

Annotation: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in children and adolescents

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Over the past two decades Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) of childhood has gained increasing prominence. A number of clinical reports and case-control studies have examined the nature of the disorder, its associations, response to treatment and outcome.

METHOD: A review of publications on childhood CFS was undertaken and reference to work on adult CFS made. Most studies on childhood CFS have been on markedly affected children attending specialist pediatric clinics and very little is known about the condition as it presents in the community or to general medical services.

RESULTS: The main symptom is fatigue in association with a variety of physical symptoms and with marked and prolonged functional impairment. CFS is commonly reported as being brought on by acute infections. Co-morbid psychiatric (usually mood) disorders are present in at least a half. Personality problems and health attitudes have been described as possible predisposing and maintaining factors. Clinical reports indicate that family work focused on engagement and on a rehabilitation programme (including graded increasing activity and treatment of psychiatric co-morbidity) can help even the more severely impaired children. Recovery may be expected in over two-thirds.

CONCLUSIONS: CFS presents as a distinct, markedly impairing disorder of childhood. In its severe form, it is often associated with mood disorders. Further research into milder forms and into the efficacy of different treatment interventions is specially needed.

 

Source: Garralda ME1, Rangel L. Annotation: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in children and adolescents. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2002 Feb;43(2):169-76. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11902596

 

Family cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: an uncontrolled study

Abstract:

AIM: To examine the efficacy of family focused cognitive behaviour therapy for 11-18 year olds with chronic fatigue syndrome.

METHODS: Twenty three patients were offered family focused cognitive behaviour therapy. The main outcome was a fatigue score of less than 4 and attendance at school 75% of the time.

RESULTS: Twenty patients completed treatment. Eighteen had completed all measures at six months follow up; 15 of these (83%) improved according to our predetermined criterion. Substantial improvements in social adjustment, depression, and fear were noted.

CONCLUSIONS: Family focused cognitive behaviour therapy was effective in improving functioning and reducing fatigue in 11-18 year olds. Gains were maintained at six months follow up.

 

Source: Chalder T, Tong J, Deary V. Family cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: an uncontrolled study. Arch Dis Child. 2002 Feb;86(2):95-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1761081/ (Full article)

 

A comparison of individual and family psychology of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood disorders

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a controversial diagnosis with unknown cause. Adult studies indicate high rates of psychosocial dysfunction and psychiatric comorbidity. The authors compared three groups of pediatric patients selected by diagnosis-(1l) CFS (n = 15), (2) juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (n = 15), and (3) mood disorders (n = 15)-across many psychological measures.

CFS subjects had dramatic elevation of the Somatic Complaints subscale (mean T score = 75), whereas the mood disorders group had higher externalizing scores (mean T score = 68) on the Child Behavior Checklist. The CFS subjects missed significantly more school compared with the two control groups. After the onset of CFS, 13 of 15 of the CFS patients required significant educational accommodation. Only 4 of the 15 CFS patients had an Axis I psychiatric diagnosis, as determined by the Computerized Diagnostic Interview for Children.

Despite a low rate of psychiatric diagnosis in the CFS sample, these data attest to their psychosocial and school dysfunction.

 

Source: Gray D, Parker-Cohen NY, White T, Clark ST, Seiner SH, Achilles J, McMahon WM. A comparison of individual and family psychology of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood disorders. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2001 Aug;22(4):234-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11530896

 

Thirteen-year follow-up of children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To describe the educational, social, and symptomatic outcome of children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome 13 years after illness onset.

METHODS: Between January 1984 and December 1987, 46 children and adolescents developed an illness suggestive of chronic fatigue syndrome. Follow-up questionnaires were obtained from 35 participants an average of 13 years after illness onset. Data were obtained concerning subsequent medical diagnoses, amount of school missed, presence and severity of current symptoms, and subjective assessment of degree of illness resolution.

RESULTS: Of the 35 participants, 24 were female (68.6%) and 11 were male (31.4%). Average age at illness onset was 12.1 years. Eight participants (22.9%) had an acute onset of symptoms, 27 (77.1%) had a gradual onset. No participant received an alternative medical diagnosis that could have explained the symptom complex between illness onset and follow-up. Thirteen participants (37.1%) considered themselves resolved of illness at follow-up; 15 participants (42.9%) considered themselves well but not resolved; 4 (11.4%) considered themselves chronically ill; and 3 (8.6%) considered themselves more ill than during the early years of illness. Correlation with the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey was good for current level of symptoms and degree of recovery. Eight participants (22.9%) missed >2 years of school, and 5 of these were still ill at follow-up. Amount of school missed correlated with both illness severity at follow-up and perceived social impact of the illness.

CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the presence of an illness consistent with the current definition of chronic fatigue syndrome. Eighty percent of children and adolescents affected had a satisfactory outcome from their fatiguing illness, although the majority of these participants had mild to moderate persisting symptoms. Twenty percent of participants remain ill with significant symptoms and activity limitation 13 years after illness onset. Chronic fatigue syndrome in children and adolescents may result in persistent somatic symptoms and disability in a minority of those affected.

 

Source: Bell DS, Jordan K, Robinson M. Thirteen-year follow-up of children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome. Pediatrics. 2001 May;107(5):994-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11331676

 

Psychological adjustment of adolescent girls with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To examine psychosocial problems and adaptation of adolescent girls with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHODOLOGY: Thirty-six adolescent girls with CFS (mean age: 15.2 years; mean syndrome duration: 19.7 months) who fulfilled the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were examined by interviews regarding premorbid problems and by questionnaires regarding psychosocial functioning and distress, psychological attitudes, and coping resources. Data were compared with normative data.

RESULTS: Of the adolescents, 86.1% reported 1 or more premorbid problems (58.3% physical, 38.9% psychological, and 52.8% familial). Normal adjustment was reported for psychosocial self-esteem, social abilities, and attentional abilities. High adjustment to adult social standards of behavior was found, but low perceived competence in specific adolescent domains, such as athletic ability, romance, and participation in recreational activities. The girls reported predominantly internalizing problems. Normal achievement motivation, no debilitating fear of failure, and high internal locus of control were observed. Palliative reaction patterns and optimism were predominantly used as coping strategies.

CONCLUSIONS: The large number of premorbid problems suggests a possible contributing factor to the onset of the syndrome, although there were no reference data of healthy adolescents. In distinct domains of psychosocial adjustment, the adolescent girls with CFS showed strengths such as adequate self-esteem and scholastic and social abilities, and weaknesses such as low competence in adolescent-specific tasks and internalizing distress, which may partly be explained by syndrome-specific somatic complaints. The use of optimistic and palliative reaction patterns as coping strategies in this patient group indicates that the patients with CFS seem to retain an active and positive outlook on life, which may result in a rather adequate psychological adaptation to the syndrome, but also in maintenance of the syndrome by exceeding the physical limits brought about by the CFS. Our results on adjustment and coping strategies may be helpful to implement (individual) rehabilitation programs.

 

Source: van Middendorp H, Geenen R, Kuis W, Heijnen CJ, Sinnema G. Psychological adjustment of adolescent girls with chronic fatigue syndrome. Pediatrics. 2001 Mar;107(3):E35. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11230616

 

Diagnose and be damned. Corroboration is important when children’s illnesses are diagnosed

EDITOR—Marcovitch’s arguments about treatment of the chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis) in children are illogical.1 He writes of the “hatchet job” performed by Panorama in the programme of 8 November and refers to the Washington Post’s policy that news requires corroboration.

One of the responses to his article, by Wessely [published here, p 1005], states, “contrary to the message of the programme, the management of chronic fatigue syndrome in children is not contentious.”2 In referring to a case reported by Panorama Marcovitch states that “parents’ views and those of the local medical team were in conflict.” Yet the programme made clear that the dispute was between the parents supported by their own medical advisers and the local medical team, so perhaps there is greater disagreement than has been asserted.

Marcovitch discussed at length Munchausen’s syndrome by proxy; Panorama labelled one of the cases of myalgic encephalitis as being a case of this syndrome. No one likes receiving emotional, intemperate outbursts, even from people who think they have been wrongly accused. But what is sauce for the goose is surely sauce for the gander. Even doctors sometimes make mistakes, yet Marcovitch disregards the possibility that parents, knowing themselves innocent, may feel themselves to have been receiving exactly the same type of vituperative attack that he objects to when doctors are on the receiving end. Such allegations turn on fact rather than clinical opinion so should be subject to Marcovitch’s own test of corroboration.

You can read the rest of this comment here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1117876/

 

Source: Pheby D. Diagnose and be damned. Corroboration is important when children’s illnesses are diagnosed. BMJ. 2000 Apr 8;320(7240):1004. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1117876/ (Full article)

 

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in adolescents with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by attenuated vagal baroreflex and potentiated sympathetic vasomotion

Abstract:

The objective was to determine the nature of autonomic and vasomotor changes in adolescent patients with orthostatic tachycardia associated with the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Continuous electrocardiography and arterial tonometry was used to investigate the heart rate and blood pressure responses before and 3-5 min after head-up tilt in 22 adolescents with POTS and 14 adolescents with CFS, compared with control subjects comprising 10 healthy adolescents and 20 patients with simple faint. Heart rate and blood pressure variability, determined baroreceptor function using transfer function analysis, and measured cardiac vagal and adrenergic autonomic responses were calculated using timed breathing and the quantitative Valsalva maneuver.

Two of 10 healthy controls and 14 of 20 simple faint patients experienced vasovagal syncope during head-up tilt. By design, all CFS and POTS patients experienced orthostatic tachycardia, often associated with hypotension. R-R interval and heart rate variability were decreased in CFS and POTS patients compared with control subjects and remained decreased with head-up tilt. Low-frequency (0.05-0.15 Hz) blood pressure variability reflecting vasomotion was increased in CFS and POTS patients compared with control subjects and increased further with head-up tilt. This was associated with depressed baroreflex transfer indicating baroreceptor attenuation through defective vagal efferent response. Only the sympathetic response remained. Heart rate variability declined progressively from normal healthy control subjects through syncope to POTS to CFS patients. Timed breathing and Valsalva maneuver were most often normal in CFS and POTS patients, although abnormalities in select individuals were found.

Heart rate and blood pressure regulation in POTS and CFS patients are similar and indicate attenuated efferent vagal baroreflex associated with increased vasomotor tone. Loss of beat-to-beat heart rate control may contribute to a destabilized blood pressure resulting in orthostatic intolerance. The dysautonomia of orthostatic intolerance in POTS and in chronic fatigue are similar.

 

Source: Stewart JM. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction in adolescents with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by attenuated vagal baroreflex and potentiated sympathetic vasomotion. Pediatr Res. 2000 Aug;48(2):218-26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10926298

 

Personality in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Our aim was to study the presence of personality traits and disorder in adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Personality was then compared to other measures of functioning such as presence of psychiatric disorder and rating on the Child Behavior Checklist 4-18 (CBCL) and in relation to CFS outcome.

Twenty-five adolescents with CFS followed-up after contacts with tertiary paediatric/psychiatric clinics were compared with 15 matched healthy controls. Interviews and questionnaires from parents and youngsters included Personality Assessment Schedule (PAS), Kiddie-SADS Psychiatric Interview, Child Behavior Checklist. CFS subjects were significantly more likely than controls to have personality difficulty or disorder.

Personality features significantly more common amongst them were conscientiousness, vulnerability, worthlessness and emotional lability. There was a nonsignificant association between personality disorder and worse CFS outcome. Personality difficulty or disorder was significantly associated with psychological symptoms and decreased social competence on the CBCL but it was distinguishable from episodic psychiatric disorder. Personality difficulty and disorder are increased in adolescents with a history of CFS. Personality disorder may be linked to poor CFS outcome.

 

Source: Rangel L, Garralda E, Levin M, Roberts H. Personality in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2000 Mar;9(1):39-45. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10795854

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue occurring in previously healthy children and adolescents is one of the most vexing problems encountered by pediatric practitioners.

We report three cases, 11, 12 and 13-year-old children, with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). They initially developed a low grade fever and generalized fatigue, followed by sleep disturbance and psychosomatic symptoms, and their performance ability deteriorated. They were diagnosed as having CFS on the basis of criteria.

To investigate the brain function in CFS patients, we examined the regional cerebral blood flow by single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) with 111 MBq [123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) or xenon-computed tomography (Xe-CT), and brain metabolic levels by MR spectroscopy (MRS).

Blood flow, expressed as the corticocerebellar ratio (CCR), in the left temporal and occipital lobes was markedly lower in cases 2 and 3 than that in healthy subjects reported by another investigator. In case 1, however, blood flow in the left basal ganglia and thalamus was markedly higher than in healthy subjects. The MR spectroscopy (MRS) study revealed remarkable elevation of the choline/creatine ratio in the patients with CFS. None of our patients exhibited evidence of focal structural abnormalities on MRI.

These findings suggest that the various clinical symptoms in CFS patients may be closely related to an abnormal brain function.

 

Source: Tomoda A, Miike T, Yamada E, Honda H, Moroi T, Ogawa M, Ohtani Y, Morishita S. Chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood. Brain Dev. 2000 Jan;22(1):60-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10761837

 

The course of severe chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood

Abstract:

Little has been reported on prognostic indicators in children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We used interviews with children and parents, a mean of 45.5 months after illness onset, to follow up 25 cases of CFS referred to tertiary paediatric psychiatric clinics. At its worst, the illness had been markedly handicapping (prolonged bed-rest and school absence in two-thirds); mean time out of school was one academic year. Two-thirds, however, had recovered and resumed normal activities–mean duration of illness to recovery/assessment 38 months–and none had developed other medical conditions. Recovery was associated with specific physical triggers to the illness, with start of illness in the autumn school term and with higher socioeconomic status. Severe fatigue states in children can cause serious and longlasting handicap but most children recover.

Comment in: Chronic fatigue syndrome in mother and child. [J R Soc Med. 2000]

 

Source: Rangel L, Garralda ME, Levin M, Roberts H. The course of severe chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood. J R Soc Med. 2000 Mar;93(3):129-34. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1297949/ (Full article)