Tag: Nevada

An approach to studies of cancer subsequent to clusters of chronic fatigue syndrome: use of data from the Nevada State Cancer Registry

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been increasingly associated with immune dysregulation, including depressed natural killer cell activity; this phenomenon is associated with increased susceptibility to cancer. Although anecdotal reports have suggested an association between CFS and cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and brain cancer, there has been no a priori justification for evaluating such an association and no consideration of relevant parameters, such as length of latent period vs. tumor type.

We reviewed data from the Nevada State Cancer Registry subsequent to a reported outbreak of a CFS-like illness in Nevada that occurred during 1984-1986. We concentrated on non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and brain/CNS tumors, with particular emphasis on persons 15-34 and 35-54 years of age.

An upward trend in the incidence of brain/CNS tumors, which could be related to a national upward trend for this disease, was noted. No consistent trends were noted for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Because of the difficulties inherent in studies of cancer subsequent to various exposures, we evaluated the methodology for determining an association between outbreaks of CFS-like disease and cancer. We propose several approaches that should be considered in future studies for investigation of possible associations between CFS and cancer, including expected latent periods for specific tumors.

 

Source: Levine PH, Atherton M, Fears T, Hoover R. An approach to studies of cancer subsequent to clusters of chronic fatigue syndrome: use of data from the Nevada State Cancer Registry. Clin Infect Dis. 1994 Jan;18 Suppl 1:S49-53. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8148453

 

Does chronic fatigue syndrome predispose to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome, an illness that frequently is associated with abnormalities of cellular immunity, has been reported anecdotally to be associated with an increased incidence of lymphoid hyperplasia and malignancy.

This report describes an initial analysis of population-based cancer incidence data in Nevada, focusing on the patterns of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma prior to and subsequent to well described, documented outbreaks of chronic fatigue syndrome during 1984-1986. In a study of time trends in four age groups, the observed time trends were consistent with the national trends reported in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

No statistically significant increase attributable to the chronic fatigue syndrome outbreak was identified at the state level. Additional studies are in progress analyzing the data at the country level, reviewing patterns in other malignancies, and continuing to monitor the cancer patterns over subsequent years.

 

Source: Levine PH, Peterson D, McNamee FL, O’Brien K, Gridley G, Hagerty M, Brady J, Fears T, Atherton M, Hoover R. Does chronic fatigue syndrome predispose to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma? Cancer Res. 1992 Oct 1;52(19 Suppl):5516s-5518s; discussion 5518s-5521s. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1394166

 

Clinical, epidemiologic, and virologic studies in four clusters of the chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to provide a case definition of chronic fatigue syndrome in an outbreak occurring in the Nevada-California region to evaluate candidate etiologic agents and observe the natural history of the illness.

METHODS: Patients diagnosed as having chronic fatigue syndrome were studied by repeated interviews, questionnaires, and blood collection over a 3-year period. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus, human herpesvirus-6, and human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II. Leukocytes from typical cases were also assayed for human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II.

RESULTS: Cases were defined as persons who had: (1) severe persistent fatigue following an acute illness appearing in an individual with no previous physical or psychological symptoms; (2) presenting signs and symptoms of an acute infection; (3) severe and persistent headache and/or myalgias; and (4) abrupt change in cognitive function or the appearance of a new mood disorder. After 3 years of follow-up, almost all study subjects were able to return to pre-illness activity. None of the viruses evaluated–human T-lymphotropic viruses I and II, Epstein-Barr virus, or human herpesvirus-6–could be etiologically linked to these outbreaks.

CONCLUSION: Clinical features of outbreaks of chronic fatigue syndrome differ sufficiently to suggest different etiologic agents. Giardiasis appears to have precipitated one of the four clusters in this study but the cause(s) of the other three outbreaks is as yet uncertain. The overall prognosis ofchronic fatigue syndrome is usually favorable.

Comment in: Human herpesvirus type 6 and chronic fatigue syndrome. [Arch Intern Med. 1993]

 

Source: Levine PH, Jacobson S, Pocinki AG, Cheney P, Peterson D, Connelly RR, Weil R, Robinson SM, Ablashi DV, Salahuddin SZ, et al. Clinical, epidemiologic, and virologic studies in four clusters of the chronic fatigue syndrome. Arch Intern Med. 1992 Aug;152(8):1611-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1323246

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome in northern Nevada

Abstract:

The clinical and laboratory findings from studies of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) from northern Nevada are summarized. Physicians caring for these patients have estimated that greater than 400 patients with CFS from northern Nevada and nearby communities in California were identified between 1984 and 1988.

As a result of these studies, a cluster of clinical and laboratory features associated with the illness in moderately to severely affected patients has been identified: profound fatigue of prolonged duration; cervical lymphadenopathy; recurrent sore throat and/or symptoms of influenza; loss of cognitive function manifested by loss of memory and loss of ability to concentrate; myalgia; impairment of fine motor skills; abnormal findings on magnetic resonance imaging brain scan; depressed level of antibody to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen; elevated level of antibody to EBV early antigen restricted component; elevated ratio of CD4 helper to CD8 suppressor cells; and strong evidence of association of this syndrome with infection with human herpesvirus 6.

More-serious and longer-lasting neurologic impairments, including seizures, psychosis, and dementia, have also been observed in some of these patients.

 

Source: Daugherty SA, Henry BE, Peterson DL, Swarts RL, Bastien S, Thomas RS. Chronic fatigue syndrome in northern Nevada. Rev Infect Dis. 1991 Jan-Feb;13 Suppl 1:S39-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1850542

 

A cluster of patients with a chronic mononucleosis-like syndrome. Is Epstein-Barr virus the cause?

Abstract:

A cluster of 134 patients who had undergone Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) serological testing because of suspected chronic EBV syndrome was investigated in Nevada.

Fifteen case-patients were identified who had severe, persistent fatigue of undetermined etiology for more than two months. When compared with the remaining 119 patients who had less severe illnesses and with 30 age-, sex-, and race-matched control-persons, these 15 patients had significantly higher antibody titers against various components of EBV and against cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex and measles viruses. Epstein-Barr virus serology could not reliably differentiate individual case-patients from the others, and the reproducibility of the tests within and among laboratories was poor.

As a group, the case-patients appear to have had a syndrome that is characterized by chronic fatigue, fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy. The relationship of this fatigue syndrome to EBV is unclear; further studies are needed to determine its etiology.

 

Source: Holmes GP, Kaplan JE, Stewart JA, Hunt B, Pinsky PF, Schonberger LB. A cluster of patients with a chronic mononucleosis-like syndrome. Is Epstein-Barr virus the cause? JAMA. 1987 May 1;257(17):2297-302. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3033337