Tag: alcoholism

Anxiety disorders: a result of long-term chronic fatigue–the psychiatric characteristics of the sufferers of Iceland disease

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: In order to clarify the lifetime likelihood of developing psychiatric disorder following the Akureyri disease, we have investigated 55 well documented cases of the Akureyri disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All participants were interviewed and diagnosed as to psychiatric disorders according to DSM-III.

RESULTS: Of the 55 subjects included in this analysis 53 were women. The mean age of the participants was 67.7 years. The most common problem was agoraphobia with panic attacks 12.7% (P < 0.0001); agoraphobia without panic attacks 21.8% (P < 0.0001); social phobia 14.5% (P < 0.001); simple phobia 18.1% (P < 0.05); schizophrenia 3.6% (P < 0.01); and alcohol dependence 5.4% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Prolonged chronic fatigue most commonly results in anxiety disorders. Following the infection, the more serious psychiatric disorders do not seem to play a major role in the long run.

 

Source: Líndal E, Bergmann S, Thorlacius S, Stefánsson JG. Anxiety disorders: a result of long-term chronic fatigue–the psychiatric characteristics of the sufferers of Iceland disease. Acta Neurol Scand. 1997 Sep;96(3):158-62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9300068

 

Use of dynamic tests of muscle function and histomorphometry of quadriceps muscle biopsies in the investigation of patients with chronic alcohol misuse and chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Ischaemic lactate/ammonia tests, serum carnosinase and creatine kinase assays and percutaneous needle muscle biopsies were performed on 10 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and 10 with chronic alcohol misuse complaining of muscular symptoms.

Basal serum lactate levels were significantly elevated in the alcohol misusers compared to the CFS patients, but all were within the reference range. Lactate profiles after ischaemic forearm exercise did not differ significantly for the two patient groups.

In one patient previously diagnosed as having CFS, myoadenylate deaminase deficiency was identified on the basis of a flat ammonia response to ischaemia and absent muscle adenosine monophosphate deaminase activity. In addition, two further patients in the CFS group were subsequently shown to have other disorders: one had polymyositis and one had myopathy with mild type II fibre atrophy of unknown cause.

Histomorphometric examination of muscle needle biopsy in the alcohol misusers showed features of chronic alcohol-induced skeletal myopathy in six patients and polymyositis in one patient. Type II fibre atrophy factors were significantly elevated in the alcohol group but were within the reference range in CFS patients.

Dynamic tests of muscle function and muscle histology are valuable tools in excluding alternative pathology in CFS, whereas muscle histomorphometry is of the greatest value in the diagnosis of chronic alcoholic myopathy.

 

Source: Wassif WS, Sherman D, Salisbury JR, Peters TJ. Use of dynamic tests of muscle function and histomorphometry of quadriceps muscle biopsies in the investigation of patients with chronic alcohol misuse and chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann Clin Biochem. 1994 Sep;31 ( Pt 5):462-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7832572

 

Gender differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences between men and women patients who have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and, if so, to ascertain whether a gender-related pattern exists.

DESIGN: A descriptive study of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial measures, the results of which were prospectively collected for patients who had CFS.

SETTING: A university-based referral clinic devoted to the evaluation and management of chronic fatigue.

PATIENTS: 348 CFS patients who had undergone complete medical evaluations.

MEASURES: Clinical variables included symptoms, physical examination findings, and laboratory results. Psychosocial assessment consisted of a structured psychiatric interview, the Medical Outcomes Study Short-form General Health Survey to assess functional status, the General Health Questionnaire to ascertain psychological distress, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control, and measures of attribution, social support, and coping.

MAIN RESULTS: Overall, few gender-related differences were identified. Women had a higher frequency of tender or enlarged lymph nodes (60% versus 33%, p < or = 0.01) and fibromyalgia (36% versus 12%, p < or = 0.001) and lower scores on the physical functioning subscale of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-form General Health Survey (37.6 versus 52.2, p < 0.01); men more often had pharyngeal inflammation (42% versus 22%, p < or = 0.001) and reported a higher lifetime prevalence of alcoholism (20% versus 9%, p < or = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: In general, demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors do not distinguish men from women CFS patients.

 

Source: Buchwald D, Pearlman T, Kith P, Schmaling K. Gender differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Gen Intern Med. 1994 Jul;9(7):397-401. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7931750