Japan – Page 3 – American ME and CFS Society

Characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome in a Japanese community population : chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan

Abstract:

This study seeks to estimate the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and assess the characteristics of CFS in a community population in Japan using laboratory tests and questionnaires for lifestyle, fatigue states, and depression states. The design of this study is a cross-sectional observational study. The setting of this study is a medical health checkup program in a general hospital.

This study was conducted with 1,430 Japanese (867 men and 563 women), 20 to 78 years of age. We classified participants who complained of fatigue according to the case definition of CFS proposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA in 1994. Alcohol, caffeine, catechin and total polyphenol consumption, smoking status, sleep duration, and physical activity were evaluated using questionnaires.

The prevalence of CFS was 1.0% (95% CI 0.5-1.6%) of a community population in Japan. Although various lifestyle factors of the participants with CFS were similar to those without chronic fatigue, average sleep duration was significantly shorter among the participants with CFS (5.5 ± 0.8 h) compared to those without chronic fatigue (6.3 ± 0.9 h, P < 0.001). Proportion at subjects having average sleep duration of less than 6 h was 64.3% among the participants with CFS in contrast to only 15.0% in those without chronic fatigue (P < 0.001).

Among the eight case-defining symptoms, “Unrefreshing sleep” had high sensitivity and high specificity for screening CFS in Japanese population (92.9% and 87.8%, respectively). The average sleep duration was notably shorter in Japanese suffering from CFS. Further longitudinal study is needed to evaluate the possibility of extreme short sleep duration as a major cause of CFS in Japan.

Source: Hamaguchi M, Kawahito Y, Takeda N, Kato T, Kojima T. Characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome in a Japanese community population : chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan. Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Jul;30(7):895-906. doi: 10.1007/s10067-011-1702-9. Epub 2011 Feb 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21302125

A new hypothesis of chronic fatigue syndrome: co-conditioning theory

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome is an illness characterized by a profound, disabling, and unexplained sensation of fatigue lasting at least 6 months, which severely impairs daily functioning and is accompanied by a combination of non-specific symptoms.

Many potential causes of chronic fatigue syndrome have been investigated, including viral infections, immune dysfunctions, abnormal neuroendocrine responses, central nervous system abnormalities, autonomic dysfunctions, impaired exercise capacities, sleep disruptions, genetic backgrounds, psychiatric abnormalities, personality, and abnormal psychological processes. However, no etiology, specific physical signs or laboratory test abnormalities have been found.

It is essential to establish a conceptual theory of chronic fatigue syndrome that can explain its pathophysiology in order to identify the clinical entity and to develop effective treatment methods. In this article, a new conceptual hypothesis about the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome, the co-conditioning theory, is presented: after repetitive overwork and/or stress, alarm signal to rest and fatigue sensation may cause in response to an unconditioned stimulus (impaired homeostasis and function) that has been paired with a conditioned stimulus (overwork and/or stress).

In the future, a new treatment strategy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, re-co-conditioning therapy, may be developed on the basis of the co-conditioning theory. In addition, this theory will likely contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Source: Tanaka M, Watanabe Y. A new hypothesis of chronic fatigue syndrome: co-conditioning theory. Med Hypotheses. 2010 Aug;75(2):244-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2010.02.032. Epub 2010 Mar 24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20338693

Overview of chronic fatigue syndrome focusing on prevalence and diagnostic criteria

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an operational concept proposed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to clarify the unknown etiology of the syndrome characterized by the sensation of abnormally prolonged fatigue. Lots of investigators reported various abnormalities such as virus infection, immune abnormalities, HPA axis abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, etc., but there are a few abnormalities common to vast majority cases of CFS. Therefore, lots of people as well as medical doctors are still skeptical about the presence of CFS.

However, recent studies reveal that CFS can be understood to be a special condition based on the abnormality of neuroendocrine-immunologic system caused by the psycho-social stress and some genetic components. Under these conditions, a reactivation of various kinds of herpes virus infections and/or chronic infections might occur as a result of immune dysfunction, causing the abnormal production of several cytokines. A distinctive feature of CFS is thought to be the secondary brain dysfunction caused by the abnormal production of several cytokines. In this paper, I show the overview of CFS focusing around prevalence, economic impact and diagnostic criteria in Japan.

Source: Kuratsune H. Overview of chronic fatigue syndrome focusing on prevalence and diagnostic criteria. Nihon Rinsho. 2007 Jun;65(6):983-90. [Article in Japanese] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17561686

The clinical course of interstitial pneumonia alias chronic fatigue syndrome under the control of megadose vitamin C infusion system with dehydroepiandrosterone-cortisol annex

Abstract:

The year 1995 marked the onset of interstitial pneumonia spread in Nagoya, Japan. For the last 9 years, we have been accumulating clinical experience with the disease control using the combination of prophylactic use of anti-biotics and regular practice of megadose vitamin C infusion with either dehydroepiandrosterone-annex or dehydroepiandrosterone-cortisol annex. The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of our new treatment system for the control of interstitial pneumonia alias chronic fatigue syndrome.

The results obtained are given as follows:

i) The long-term maintenance of the above treatment system was effective not only for decreasing the risk for recurrence of active form pneumonia, but also for prevention of malignancy emergence in aged patients with interstitial pneumonia.

ii) Evidence is presented to indicate that interstitial pneumonia was associated with increased risk for depression of which the emergence is a candidate subject causally related to the long-term use of glucocorticoid.

iii) A patient with both interstitial pneumonia and depression was found to be less responsive to our treatment system. It is suggested that the use of more dehydroepiandrosterone at the sacrifice of cortisol in the infusion annex may be a choice for the control of both interstitial pneumonia and depression.

iv) The description of chronic fatigue syndrome as regards the endocrinological, epidemiological and psychiatric characteristics are in good agreement with our experience on patients having interstitial pneumonia, evidence in support of our proposal that there is no convincing reasoning to separate chronic fatigue syndrome from interstitial pneumonia.

v) The long-term practice of our treatment system for the control of interstitial pneumonia (an autoimmune disease) was found to suppress the inflammatory process but not the fibrotic process in the long run. vi) A few innovations were made in our treatment system to reduce the risk of bleeding or thrombosis–vascular complications of pneumonia.

vii) The merit of our treatment system is to create a new hormonal environment to improve the state of immunodeficiency by use of a non-steroid substance–vitamin C which encounters little resistance from the feedback mechanism of steroid metabolism in the in vivo system.

Source: Kodama M, Kodama T. The clinical course of interstitial pneumonia alias chronic fatigue syndrome under the control of megadose vitamin C infusion system with dehydroepiandrosterone-cortisol annex. Int J Mol Med. 2005 Jan;15(1):109-16. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15583836

Learning and memorization impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome manifesting as school phobia in Japan

Abstract:

For the last 15 years, we have tried to understand the pathophysiology of childhood chronic fatigue syndrome (CCFS) in Japan. In this condition, two major symptoms are important: easy fatigability and disturbed learning and memorization. In CCFS patients we clinically evaluated autonomic nervous system function, circadian rhythm of hormonal secretion (melatonin, cortisol and 3-endorphin), core body temperature, and sleep-wake pattern.

Most patients showed autonomic nervous system dysfunction and circadian rhythm disturbances, similar to those observed in jet lag. Radiological imaging studies (SPECT, Xe-CT, and MRS) revealed decreased blood flow in the frontal and thalamic areas, and accumulation of choline in the frontal lobe. We analyzed the relationship between the laboratory data and clinical symptoms in CCFS.

Source: Miike T, Tomoda A, Jhodoi T, Iwatani N, Mabe H. Learning and memorization impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome manifesting as school phobia in Japan. Brain Dev. 2004 Oct;26(7):442-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15351079

Diagnostic evaluation of 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase activities and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus and Coxiella burnetii in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan

Abstract:

To investigate the association of viral infections with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we assayed 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5AS) activities in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from CFS patients in Japan. These patients were diagnosed in two hospitals, H1 and H2, located in different areas of the country.

The activities were detected in 19 (86%) and 7 (32%) of each of the 22 patients in H1 and H2, respectively, while they were detected in only four (11%) out of the 38 healthy controls. IFN-alpha was similarly detected in a few CFS patients and healthy controls.

We also assayed the antibody titers against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Coxiella burnetii in these patients. The EBV anti-EA-IgG antibodies were detected in two (9%) and seven (32%) of each of the 22 patients in H1 and H2, respectively. Anti-C. burnetii IgG antibodies were detected in six (27%) out of 22 patients in H1 but not in 22 patients in H2, while they were detected in one (11%) of the nine healthy controls.

Some CFS patients may be associated with EBV or C. burnetii infection. There were some statistical correlations between the 2-5AS activities and antibody titers of EA-IgG (P < 0.05, Student’s t-test) but not to the antibody titers of C. burnetii. The up-regulation of 2-5AS activities suggests immunological dysfunctions with some virus infections in the CFS patients. Our results indicate that 2-5AS activities are useful for a diagnostic marker of CFS and for exploring the complicated pathogenesis of CFS.

Source: Ikuta K, Yamada T, Shimomura T, Kuratsune H, Kawahara R, Ikawa S, Ohnishi E, Sokawa Y, Fukushi H, Hirai K, Watanabe Y, Kurata T, Kitani T, Sairenji T. Diagnostic evaluation of 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase activities and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus and Coxiella burnetii in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan. Microbes Infect. 2003 Oct;5(12):1096-102. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14554250

Cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy for a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Cognitive behavioral therapy temporarily alleviated symptoms of a chronic fatigue syndrome patient but the anxiety about rehabilitation into work became stronger and his symptoms worsened. This patient was successfully rehabilitated by fasting therapy. Natural killer cell activity and serum acylcarnitine levels recovered after fasting therapy. Though fasting therapy transiently increased physical and mental subjective symptoms, the patient gained self-confidence by overcoming difficulties after fasting therapy. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy is promising as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Source: Masuda A, Nakayama T, Yamanaka T, Hatsutanmaru K, Tei C. Cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy for a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome. Intern Med. 2001 Nov;40(11):1158-61. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/internalmedicine1992/40/11/40_11_1158/_article (Full article)

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

Does severe nutcracker phenomenon cause pediatric chronic fatigue?

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: In the past five years we experienced 9 fatigued disabled children who were intermittently or persistently absent from school.

PATIENTS: They had been suspected to be burdened with psychosomatic disorders, having orthostatic hypotension, postural tachycardia, or other autonomic dysfunction symptoms.

RESULTS: Investigating the cause of moderate orthostatic proteinuria in some of them, we found by chance severe typical nutcracker phenomenon (NC), which was present in all 9 children complaining of chronic fatigue.

CONCLUSION: Their symptoms filled the criteria of chronic fatigue syndrome or idiopathic chronic fatigue (CFS/CF). An association between severe NC and autonomic dysfunction symptoms in children with CFS/CF has been presented.

Source: Takahashi Y, Ohta S, Sano A, Kuroda Y, Kaji Y, Matsuki M, Matsuo M. Does severe nutcracker phenomenon cause pediatric chronic fatigue? Clin Nephrol. 2000 Mar;53(3):174-81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10749295

Borna disease virus infection in two family clusters of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

A high rate of Borna disease virus (BDV) infection has been demonstrated in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Herein, we focused on BDV infection in two family clusters of patients with CFS: a father, mother, two sons and one daughter (family #1); and a father, mother, two daughters and one son (family #2).

All members, except for the elder son in family #1 and the father and son in family #2, were diagnosed with CFS. The results supported that all the family members with CFS were infected with BDV, as evidenced by the presence of antibodies to viral p40, p24 and/or gp18 and BDV p24 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The healthy members, except for the father of family #2 who was positive for antibody to p24, were all negative by both assays. Follow-up studies in family #1 continued to reveal BDV antibodies and BDV RNA, except in the mother, who lost the RNA upon slight recovery from the disease.

Source: Nakaya T, Takahashi H, Nakamur Y, Kuratsune H, Kitani T, Machii T, Yamanishi K, Ikuta K. Borna disease virus infection in two family clusters of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiol Immunol. 1999;43(7):679-89. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1348-0421.1999.tb02456.x/full (Full article)