Tag: chemical exposures

Chronic fatigue syndrome:objective criteria of metabolic defects

Abstract:

Multi-level system of defense mechanisms is studied in 206 normal subjects living in an ecologically unfavorable region and working at chemical plants. Control group consisted of 24 subjects living in en ecologically safe region. The content of total protein and albumin and its effective and binding capacity were decreased, while the content of medium molecular weight peptides increased in the blood of subjects exposed to technogenic environmental pollution. The detected shifts are regarded as a mechanism of development of chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Gil’miiarova FN, Radomskaia VM, Kretova IG, Vinogradova LN, Samykina LN, Sheshunov IV, Babichev AV, Sharafutdinova IuM, Ponomareva LA. Chronic fatigue syndrome:objective criteria of metabolic defects. Klin Lab Diagn. 1999 Feb;(2):9-11. [Article in Russian] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10876679

 

A controlled comparison of multiple chemical sensitivities and chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

The present study had two objectives: 1) to determine the characteristics that differentiated subjects with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), chemical sensitivities (CS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and 2) to evaluate the psychiatric and neuropsychological complaints of these groups relative to normal controls.

A cross-sectional comparison was made of the following groups matched for age, sex, and education: 1) patients whose sensitivities to multiple low level chemical exposures began with a defined exposure (MCS; N = 23); 2) patients with sensitivities to multiple chemicals without a clear date of onset (CS; N = 13); 3) patients meeting CDC criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS; N = 18); and 4) normal controls (N = 18).

Subjects with sensitivities to chemicals (MCS and CS) reported significantly more lifestyle changes due to chemical sensitivities and significantly more chemical substances that made them ill compared with chronic fatigue and normal controls. MCS, CS, and CFS patients had significantly higher rates of current psychiatric disorders than normal controls and reported significantly more physical symptoms with no medical explanation.

Seventy-four percent of MCS and 61% of CFS did not qualify for any current Axis I psychiatric diagnosis. Chemically sensitive subjects without a defined date of onset (CS) had the highest rate of Axis I psychiatric disorders (69%). On the MMPI-2, 44% of MCS, 42% of CS, 53% of CFS, and none of the controls achieved clinically significant elevations on scales associated with somatoform disorders.

With the exception of one complex test of visual memory, no significant differences were noted among the groups on tests of neuropsychological function. Standardized measures of psychiatric and neuropsychological function did not differentiate subjects with sensitivities to chemicals from those with chronic fatigue. Subjects with sensitivities to chemicals and no clear date of onset had the highest rate of psychiatric morbidity. Standardized neuropsychological tests did not substantiate the cognitive impairment reported symptomatically. Cognitive deficits may become apparent under controlled exposure conditions.

 

Source: Fiedler N, Kipen HM, DeLuca J, Kelly-McNeil K, Natelson B. A controlled comparison of multiple chemical sensitivities and chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychosom Med. 1996 Jan-Feb;58(1):38-49. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8677287