Factsheet 2003:

SOME FACTS ABOUT M.E./PVFS/CFS

 

1. Recent evidence for subgroups:

Kerr, JR., Cunniffe, VS., Kelleher, P., Bernstein, RM and Bruce, IN. Successful intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in 3 cases of parvovirus B19-associated chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2003, 36, 9, E100-106.

1b: Severely affected patients have more post-exertional fatigue:

Peckerman, A., LaManca, JJ., Dahl, KA., Chemitiganti, R., Qureishi, B and Natelson, BH. Abnormal impedance cardiography predicts symptom severity in chronic fatigue syndrome. American Journal of Medical Science, 2003, 326, 2, 55-60.

Peckerman, A., LaManca, JJ., Qureishi, B., Dahl, KA., Golfetti, R., Yamamoto, Y and Natelson, BH. Baroreceptor reflex and integrative stress responses in chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003, 65, 889-895.

1c. Evidence of enteroviral infection and abnormalities of muscle metabolism in a subset of patients:

Lane, RJM., Soteriou, BA., Zhang, H and Archard, LC. Enterovirus related metabolic myopathy: a postviral fatigue syndrome. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 2003, 74, 1382-1386

2. Evidence supporting use of separate definition for ME:

Jason, LA., Helgerson, J., Torres-Harding, SR., Carrico, AW and Taylor RR. Variability in diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome may result in substantial differences in patterns of symptoms and disability. Evaluation and the Health Professions, 2003, 26, 1, 3-22.

2b. New research on patients with ME:

Khan, F., Spence, V., Kennedy, G and Belch, JJ. Prolonged acetylcholine-induced vasodilatation in the peripheral microcirculation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 2003, 23, 5, 282-285.

3. Evidence of abnormalities in the brain:

Chaudhuri, A., Condon, BR., Gow, JW., Brennan, D and Hadley, DM. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia in chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuroreport, 2003, 14, 2, 225-228.

4. Evidence against widespread focusing on symptoms (cf. speculation about introspection) and excessive behavioural avoidance:

Jason, LA., Witter, E and Torres-Harding, S. Chronic fatigue syndrome, coping, optimism and social support. Journal of Mental Health, 2003, 12, 2, 109-118. 

5. Evidence suggesting graded activity does not always increase activity but often improves pacing:

Friedberg, F. Does graded activity increase activity? A case study of chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 2002, 33, 3-4, 203-215.

6. Economic costs of chronic fatigue and CFS differ:

McCrone, P., Darbishire, L., Ridsdale, L and Seed, P. The economic cost of chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome in UK primary care. Psychological Medicine, 2003, 33, 2, 253-261.

7. Patients with CFS and MS have similar scores on some relevant psychological measures. 

Taillefer, SS., Kirmayer, LJ., Robbins, JM and Lasry, JC. Correlates of illness worry in chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2003, 54, 4, 331-337.

8. Evidence of abnormalities in brain function:

Siessmeier, T., Nix, WA., Hardt, J., Schreckenberger, M., Egle, UT and Bartenstein P. Observer independent analysis of cerebral glucose metabolism in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 2003, 74, 7, 922-928.

9. Interesting findings relating to the role of psychiatric illness:

Tiersky, LA., Matheis, RJ., Deluca, J., Lange, G and Natelson, BH. Functional status, neuropsychological functioning, and mood in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Relationship to psychiatric disorder. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 2003, 191, 5, 324-331.

10. Studies revealing more differences between CFS and CF:

Darbishire, L., Ridsdale, L and Seed, PT. Distinguishing patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a diagnostic study in UK primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 2003, 53, 441-445.

Evengard, B., Jonzon, E., Sandberg, A., Theorell, T and Lindh, G. Differences between patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and with chronic fatigue at an infectious disease clinic in Stockholm, Sweden. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2003, 57, 4, 361-368.

11. Evidence of an abnormal immunological response following exertion.

Sorensen B, Streib JE, Strand M, Make B, Giclas PC, Fleshner M, and Jones JF. Complement activation in a model of chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2003, 112, 2, 397-403.

 

Copyright EM. Goudsmit February 2003. ©
Psychologist/Archivist, London.
All rights reserved. This article may not be reproduced without
permission from the author. See the full copyright notice.

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