Tag: symptomatology

Clinical presentation of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a chronic illness of uncertain aetiology characterized by at least six months of debilitating fatigue and associated symptoms. The symptoms of the syndrome are all non-specific and some (but not all) are also seen in psychiatric illness. The symptomatology suggesting an organic component to the illness includes its abrupt onset with an ‘infectious-like’ illness, intermittent unexplained fevers, arthralgias and ‘gelling’ (stiffness), sore throats, cough, photophobia, night sweats, and post-exertional malaise with systemic symptoms. The illness can last for years and is associated with marked impairment of functional health status.

 

Source: Komaroff AL. Clinical presentation of chronic fatigue syndrome. Ciba Found Symp. 1993;173:43-54; discussion 54-61. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8491106

 

Chronic fatigue syndrome: influence of histamine, hormones and electrolytes

Abstract:

The chronic fatigue syndrome is poorly understood. We believe the underlying causes in many atopics and women are a persistent infection and hypersensitivity to the immune-suppressive effects of histamine and certain pathogens.

We believe much of the symptomatology can be explained by all four types of hypersensitivity (Gell and Coombs classification) in reaction to a pathogen, electrolyte disturbances which include sometimes permanent changes in cell membranes’ ability to pass electrolytes, sometimes permanent biochemical changes in mitochondrial function, and disturbances of insulin and T3-thyroid hormone functions. We also explain in detail what ‘fatigue’ means for these patients. We present evidence from the medical literature for the plausibility of our hypotheses.

 

Source: Dechene L. Chronic fatigue syndrome: influence of histamine, hormones and electrolytes. Med Hypotheses. 1993 Jan;40(1):55-60. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8455468

 

Attributions and self-esteem in depression and chronic fatigue syndromes

Abstract:

There is considerable overlap in symptomatology between chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and affective disorder.

We report a comparison of depressive phenomenology and attributional style between a group of CFS subjects seen in a specialized medical setting, which included a high proportion with depression diagnosed by Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC), and depressed controls seen in a specialized psychiatric setting.

Significant symptomatic differences between the depressed CFS group and depressed controls were observed for features such as self-esteem and guilt as well as attribution of illness. All the CFS groups tended to attribute their symptoms to external causes whereas the depressed controls experienced inward attribution.

This may have resulted from differences in the severity of mood disorder between the samples, but it is also suggested that an outward style of attribution protects the depressed CFS patients from cognitive changes associated with low mood but at the expense of greater vulnerability towards somatic symptoms such as fatigue.

 

Source: Powell R, Dolan R, Wessely S. Attributions and self-esteem in depression and chronic fatigue syndromes. J Psychosom Res. 1990;34(6):665-73.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2290139