Tag: asthenia

A prospective randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapy using functional brain MRI in patients with post-covid chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Background and purpose: to assess executive network using resting-state fMRI and patterns of brain activation using task fMRI with a cognitive paradigm, against the background of taking the drug in comparison with placebo in patients with post-COVID asthenic syndrome.

Methods: The study employed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial approach to assess the efficacy of utilizing functional MRI of the brain as a neuroprotective therapy for treating patients with chronic fatigue syndrome following COVID-19. The study included 30 patients matched by sex and age with post-COVID asthenic syndrome. All patients were examined with MFI-20, MoCA, FAS-10 scales, MRI using a Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma 3 T scanner before and after a course of therapy with coordination complex with succinate acid anion (CCSA) or placebo (15 patients each) using resting state fMRI and with cognitive paradigm.

Results: The changes obtained as a result of the treatment of post-Covid asthenic syndrome demonstrated clinical superiority in the reduction of asthenic symptoms for the group of patients treated with CCSA (MFI-20 scores: -20·0 points in the CCSA group compared to -12 points in the placebo group, p = 0·043). The data obtained also correlate with the analysis of task fMRI and resting state fMRI may indicate an increase in the functional cognitive status after a course of therapy with CCSA. Clinically, this correlates with a statistically significant improvement in the MoCA score (2 points in the CCSA group compared to 1 point in the placebo group, p < 0·05).

Conclusions: The study demonstrates the potential effectiveness of CCSA therapy in relation to a wide range of symptoms (chronic fatigue syndrome/ asthenic syndrome and cognitive impairment) in patients with post-COVID syndrome. The first time demonstrated the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapy after post-COVID asthenic syndrome with the use of high-tech neuroimaging techniques.

Source: Tanashyan M, Morozova S, Raskurazhev A, Kuznetsova P. A prospective randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapy using functional brain MRI in patients with post-covid chronic fatigue syndrome. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023 Oct 18;168:115723. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115723. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37862966. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332223015214 (Full study)

Efficiency of comprehensive rehabilitation of chronic fatigue syndrome due to coronavirus infections COVID-19

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of complex rehabilitation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome caused by coronavirus infections.

In 120 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) aged 20-58 years, post-COVID syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome was detected, 52 men and 68 women. Patients had asthenic, cognitive, vegetative manifestations, sleep disorders, smell and taste disorders, anxiety and depression.

Patients received drug therapy: succinic acid preparations, brain metabolic drugs, stimulating antidepressants, sleeping pills – melatonin and B vitamins, among other things, received micropolarization of the head and translingualneurostimulation.

The results of treatment confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed conservative therapy. The neurological symptoms of post-COVID syndrome – chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were studied in 120 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), aged 20-58 years.

Patients were examined according to the “Questionnaire for the detection of asthenia”, “Mini Mental State Assessment (MMSE)”, et.al. Sleep disorders were studied using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, anxiety and depression were studied using the “Questionnaire for Determining Anxiety and Depression”.

The patients were divided into 2 groups: the main group (MG) – 69 patients and the control group (CG) – 51 patients. Patients with MG and CG received drug therapy: succinic acid preparations, brain metabolic drugs, stimulating antidepressants, sleeping pills – melatonin and B vitamins. And patients with MG, among other things, received micropolarization of the head and translingualneurostimulation.

Source: Z.I. Adambaev, I.A. Kilichev, A.B. Nurzhonov, N.Yu. Khudoyberganov, and M.R. Niyazmetov. Efficiency of comprehensive rehabilitation of chronic fatigue syndrome due to coronavirus infections COVID-19. BIO Web of Conferences 65, 05039 (2023) https://www.bio-conferences.org/articles/bioconf/abs/2023/10/bioconf_ebwff2023_05039/bioconf_ebwff2023_05039.html (Full text available as PDF file)

Asthenic disorders as a manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The article explains the changes in terminology and diagnostic criteria for asthenic disorders as manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as neuroimmune endocrine dysfunction with a purely clinical diagnosis. Probably, viral infections can play a leading role in the pathogenesis. Published diagnostic criteria reveal possible correlations between chronic fatigue syndrome and COVID-19 disease. A promising strategy for the therapy and rehabilitation of patients is the use of smart peptides, a representative of which is the drug cortexin.

Source: Putilina MV. Astenicheskie rasstroistva kak proyavlenie sindroma khronicheskoi ustalosti [Asthenic disorders as a manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2021;121(8):125-130. Russian. doi: 10.17116/jnevro2021121081125. PMID: 34481448. [Abstract in English, Russian] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34481448/

Clinical efficacy of neurometabolic therapy of dissomical disorders in asthenic syndrome

Abstract:

AIM: To analyze the efficacy of cytoflavin in the complex treatment of sleep disorders in asthenic syndrome.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred patients with sleep disorders and asthenic syndrome of various etiology and severity were studied. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the type of therapy: the first group received intravenous infusions of cytoflavin for 10 days; the second group, in addition to cytoflavin, received per os melatonin (3 mg or 5 mg) at bedtime; the third group in addition to cytoflavin received per os zopiclone (7.5 mg) at bedtime.

RESULTS: On the 14th day of the study, a decrease in severity or complete relief of asthenia manifestations (according to the SHAS scale) and, accordingly, improvement or normalization of sleep in 97% of patients was found. At the same time, during polysomnographic study, the data obtained are characteristic for improving the quality of sleep phases mainly in the first and second groups of patients and, to a lesser extent, in the third group.

CONCLUSION: Cytoflavin effectively suppresses the main manifestations of asthenic syndrome, including sleep disorders.

Source: Esipov AV, Ivolgin AF, Khritinin DF, Katenko SV, Kazakov SP, Karakozov AG, Kalyagin IE, Levchenko OB, Molodova AI. Clinical efficacy of neurometabolic therapy of dissomical disorders in asthenic syndrome. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2019;119(9):46-51. doi: 10.17116/jnevro201911909146. [Article in Russian; Abstract available in Russian from the publisher] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31626218

Research about fatigue in France over the past 20 years

Abstract:

The author reported the works of the “Fatigue Studies Group” founded 20 years ago to explore the different dimensions of “fatigue” complaint. The emphasis is placed on the asthenic syndromes evaluation instrument created by the group, which takes into account the socio-demographic data of the patient, clinical signs and their severity as well as the potential etiological factors. Its first version (GEF-3) enabled to isolate 4 groups of asthenia (overworking, somatic, psychosomatic and psychic), each of them requesting a specific treatment. An ulterior version (GEF-4) has been elaborated to describe better the psychiatric semeiology. Finally, a simplified version (GEF-10) was used as an evaluation instrument in different therapeutic researches. At the same time, the group continued its researches on the fatigue psychosocial dimensions and its nosographic status, especially in comparison with dysthymic disorders.

 

Source: Crocq L. Research about fatigue in France over the past 20 years. Encephale. 1994 Nov;20 Spec No 3:615-8. [Article in French] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7843059

 

Pathogenic tracks in fatigue syndromes

Abstract:

This review analyses the recent literature devoted to two related fatigue syndromes: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and acute onset postviral fatigue syndrome (PVFS). The articles are grouped into five pathogenic tracks: infectious agents, immune system, skeletic muscle, hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and psychiatric factors.

Although a particular infectious agent is unlikely to be responsible for all CFS cases, evidence is shown that host-parasite relationships are modified in a large proportion of patients with chronic fatigue. Antibody titres against infectious agents are often elevated and replication of several viruses could be increased.

Chronic activation of the immune system is also observed and could be due to the reactivation of persistent or latent infectious agents such as herpes viruses (i.e. HHV-6) or enteroviruses. It could also be favorised by an impaired negative feedback of the HPA axis on the immune system.

A model is proposed where the abnormalities of the HPA axis are primary events and are mainly responsible for a chronic activation of the immune system which in turn induces an increased replication of several viruses under the control of cellular transcription factors. These replicating viruses together with cytokines such as TNF-alpha would secondarily induce functional disorders of muscle and several aspects of asthenia itself.

 

Source: Moutschen M, Triffaux JM, Demonty J, Legros JJ, Lefèbvre PJ. Pathogenic tracks in fatigue syndromes. Acta Clin Belg. 1994;49(6):274-89. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7871934

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a critical review

Abstract:

The term “chronic fatigue syndrome” (CFS) applies to a condition of unknown aetiology characterized clinically by an association of subjective symptoms, the most constant being an invalidating tiredness. The diagnostic criteria in current use do not permit to isolate an homogeneous subgroup among patients consulting for chronic asthenia.

In the present state of research no infectious or immunological cause has been demonstrated conclusively, although a persistent enterovirus or herpesvirus type 6 infection or a state of chronic immune activation seem to play a role in some cases. Patients who fulfill the criteria of CFS present with psychiatric overmorbidity, essentially depressive, and in 50% of the cases with the mental disorders preceding CFS. The various theoretical models linking CFS to psychopathology are discussed, and finally the syndrome is regarded as a social construction reproducing or renovating the neurasthenia of the late 19th century.

There is no specific treatment of CFS, but antidepressants, cognitive-behavioural therapy and perhaps certain immuno-modulators can be useful. The future lines of research should endeavour to isolate a subgroup of patients with prolonged asthenia after a recognized episode of infection and to identify the immunological, psychological and behavioral characteristics of this particular group as well as their reciprocal interactions.

 

Source: Cathébras P, Bouchou K, Charmion S, Rousset H. Chronic fatigue syndrome: a critical review. Rev Med Interne. 1993 Apr;14(4):233-42. [Article in French] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8378654

 

Asthenic symptoms in a rural family practice. Epidemiologic characteristics and a proposed classification

Abstract:

Asthenic symptoms (eg, fatigue, lassitude, weakness) are of major concern in family practice setting, yet relatively little research has addressed this issue. A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period was conducted to better characterize these symptoms in a rural family practice providing health care to 508 adult patients.

Asthenic complaints were recorded at least once in the medical charts of 164 patients (32%) with a preponderance of female patients. Peak prevalence occurred in the third decade of age and during the summer months. Associated symptoms, mainly pain and dizziness, were reported in 75% of the cases. A cause or diagnosis was not identified by the practicing physician in nearly 50% of the encounters; nevertheless, most episodes resolved spontaneously.

Patients could be subclassified into three categories according to the recurrence pattern of their asthenic symptoms during the study period. The largest category (64%) included patients who had a single or two episodes and was thus termed “episodic asthenia.” Forty-five patients (27%) with recurrent episodes (mean 4.4, range 3 to 10) were classified as having “recurrent episodic asthenia.”

A third small group (14 patients, 9%) with persistent complaints over the years but no evidence of the chronic fatigue syndrome were classified as having “chronic persistent asthenia.” The proposed classification may help future research of asthenic symptoms in the family practice setting.

 

Source: Shahar E, Lederer J. Asthenic symptoms in a rural family practice. Epidemiologic characteristics and a proposed classification. J Fam Pract. 1990 Sep;31(3):257-61; discussion 261-2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2391456