Overlapping Conditions Among Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Temporomandibular Disorder

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Overlapping Conditions Among Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Temporomandibular Disorder ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Overlapping Conditions Among Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Temporomandibular Disorder Leslie A. Aaron, PhD, MPH; Mary M. Burke, MD; Dedra Buchwald, MD Background: Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses of the 10 clinical conditions beyond their re- (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and temporomandibular dis- ferring diagnosis of CFS, FM, or TMD. In contrast, pa- order (TMD) share many clinical illness features such as tients were more likely than controls to meet lifetime myalgia, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impairment in abil- symptom and diagnostic criteria for many of the condi- ity to perform activities of daily living as a consequence tions, including CFS, FM, irritable bowel syndrome, mul- of these symptoms. A growing literature suggests that a tiple chemical sensitivities, and headache. Lifetime rates variety of comorbid illnesses also may commonly coexist of irritable bowel syndrome were particularly striking in in these patients, including irritable bowel syndrome, the patient groups (CFS, 92%; FM, 77%; TMD, 64%) com- chronic tension-type headache, and interstitial cystitis. pared with controls (18%) (P,.001). Individual symp- tom analysis revealed that patients with CFS, FM, and Objective: To describe the frequency of 10 clinical con- TMD share common symptoms, including generalized ditions among patients with CFS, FM, and TMD com- pain sensitivity, sleep and concentration difficulties, bowel pared with healthy controls with respect to past diag- complaints, and headache. However, several symptoms noses, degree to which they manifested symptoms for each also distinguished the patient groups. condition as determined by expert-based criteria, and pub- lished diagnostic criteria. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that patients with CFS, FM, and TMD share key symptoms. Methods: Patients diagnosed as having CFS, FM, and TMD It also is apparent that other localized and systemic con- by their physicians were recruited from hospital-based clin- ditions may frequently co-occur with CFS, FM, and TMD. ics. Healthy control subjects from a dermatology clinic were Future research that seeks to identify the temporal rela- enrolled as a comparison group. All subjects completed a tionships and other pathophysiologic mechanism(s) link- 138-item symptom checklist and underwent a brief physi- ing CFS, FM, and TMD will likely advance our understand- cal examination performed by the project physicians. ing and treatment of these chronic, recurrent conditions. Results: With little exception, patients reported few past Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:221-227 BSERVANT physiciansover cystitis, suggest a possible common alter- the years have described ation in central processing mechanisms.1 numerous clinical condi- A small literature on relationships be- tions that share features tween CFS, FM, and TMD supports the such as fatigue, pain and contention that, despite a multiplicity of Oother symptoms in the absence of objective diagnostic labels, these syndromes may findings, disability out of proportion to represent “overlapping” conditions. In this physical findings, and an apparent associa- regard, it has been estimated that be- tion with “stress” and psychosocial factors. tween 20% and 70% of patients with FM These include illnesses such as chronic meet criteria for CFS and, conversely, 35% fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia to 70% of those with CFS also have FM.2-5 (FM), and temporomandibular disorder Studies investigating the relationship be- (TMD), as well as irritable bowel syndrome tween FM and TMD have demonstrated (IBS), interstitial cystitis, multiple chemi- that 18% of patients with TMD meet FM From the Department of cal sensitivities, chronic tension-type criteria, and 75% of patients with FM sat- Medicine, Division of General headaches, post–concussive syndrome, isfy the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Internal Medicine, University of chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back TMD (myofascial type).6,7 Other data, Washington, Seattle (Drs Aaron and Buchwald), and the pain. Although often labeled “psychoso- though limited, suggest that patients with Department of Internal matic” or “functional” disorders, similari- CFS, FM, and TMD commonly report Medicine, University of ties in clinical manifestations among these symptoms that characterize other over- Kentucky, Lexington conditions, such as increased pain sensi- lapping disorders. However, only re- (Dr Burke). tivity in patients with FM and interstitial cently have the similarities of CFS, FM, and ARCH INTERN MED/ VOL 160, JAN 24, 2000 WWW.ARCHINTERNMED.COM 221 ©2000 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. Downloaded From: https://jamanetwork.com/ on 09/25/2021 SUBJECTS AND METHODS chronic tension-type headache, IBS, interstitial cystitis, post–concussive syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivi- ties, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back pain. For SUBJECTS AND SETTING the self-reported overlapping conditions, subjects were asked “Have you ever been told by a health care provider The sample consisted of 25 patients with CFS, 22 patients that you have...”.Symptoms for the 10 conditions of with FM, 25 patients with TMD, and 22 healthy control interest were derived from several sources. For CFS, subjects. All subjects were new or established patients FM, IBS, and chronic tension-type headache we used recruited from hospital-based clinics affiliated with the published criteria.12,15-17 For TMD, interstitial cystitis, University of Washington and Pacific Medical Center in post–concussive syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivi- Seattle between January 1993 and September 1994. ties, chronic pelvic pain, and chronic low back pain, char- Patients with CFS were attending the Chronic Fatigue acteristic symptoms were derived from 2 additional Clinic, a tertiary care referral practice. Patients with FM sources: (1) consultations with university faculty who and TMD were seeking care at an academic rheumatology had established expertise in the diagnosis and treatment and oral medicine clinic, respectively. Control subjects of a given disorder (“experts”), and (2) searches of the ex- included individuals from 2 dermatology clinics who tant literature for characteristic symptoms. Thus, the were being evaluated for conditions other than CFS, FM, final items compiled for each disorder in the symptom or TMD. Control subjects were healthy (ie, without checklist included both criteria-based symptoms and major, chronic medical problems) and were typically well-recognized features used in clinical practice in the being seen for minor, nonsystemic, skin conditions (eg, diagnosis of the study conditions. Prior to the administra- warts). tion to subjects, the questions contained in the checklist In each of the clinics, a single, designated participat- for each individual disorder were approved by the appro- ing physician was asked to approach patients diagnosed priate expert. as having CFS, FM, or TMD. In the case of the control To score the symptom checklist, the total number subjects, the physician selected only patients who were of symptoms endorsed for each syndrome were summed healthy with the exception of their dermatologic condi- to obtain a subject’s score for the relevant clinical condi- tion. Treating physicians were well-versed in the applica- tion. This score was intended to approximate the degree tion of published research criteria11-13 for the 3 conditions to which subjects reported characteristics of a particular under study. Patients with CFS were diagnosed using the syndrome as determined by our experts. All reported 1988 Centers for Disease Control case definition11 and a diagnoses and symptoms represent lifetime occurrence recommended modification that does not exclude those rates. with specific psychiatric diagnoses.14 Patients with FM Finally, we were interested in common and distin- were classified according to the American College of guishing symptoms among the patient groups. “Common Rheumatology criteria for FM.12 The diagnosis of TMD symptoms” were those for which there was both a clinical was directed by the Research Diagnostic Criteria.13 This (defined as .25% difference in frequency) and a statisti- study was approved by the University of Washington Hu- cally significant (P#.01) difference between the CFS, FM, man Subjects Office and all subjects provided written, in- TMD patient groups and controls. To be designated as a formed consent upon enrollment. “distinguishing symptom,” the symptom must have dif- ferentiated the specified group(s) of interest from the oth- DATA COLLECTION er(s) by these same criteria. For example, a distinguishing symptom of TMD was considered to differentiate patients Subjects were approached to participate in the study dur- with TMD from those with CFS, those with FM, and con- ing routine clinic visits or by mailed letters to patients trols if a greater than 25% difference in frequency and deemed eligible by the designated clinic physician. Infor- P#.01 statistical difference existed between the TMD mation was gathered from interested subjects at their con- group and each of the other groups’ mean scores on that venience, either following a regularly scheduled appoint- symptom. ment or during a separate study appointment scheduled at another time. Patients who were unable to complete the STATISTICAL ANALYSES lengthy questionnaire at the time of the study evaluation were asked to complete it at home and mail it to the in- We used x2 analyses to compare the
Recommended publications
  • Fatigue and Parkinson's Disease
    Fatigue and Parkinson’s Disease Gordon Campbell MSN FNP PADRECC Portland VAMC, October 24, 2014 Sponsored by the NW PADRECC - Parkinson's Disease Research, Education & Clinical Center Portland VA Medical Center www.parkinsons.va.gov/Northwest Outline • What is fatigue? • How differs from sleepiness, depression • How do doctors measure it? • Why is fatigue such a problem in PD? • How if fatigue in PD different? • How will exercise and nutrition help? • Will medications work? What is Fatigue? • One of most common symptoms in medicine. • Fatigue is the desire to rest. No energy. • Chronic fatigue: “overwhelming and sustained exhaustion and decreased capacity to physical or mental work, not relieved by rest • Acute (days) or chronic (months, years) • May be incapacitating • Cannot be checked with doctor’s exam – Not like tremor, stiffness 1 Fatigue: What Is It? • Not sleepiness (cannot stay awake) • Not depression (blue, hopeless, cranky) • Rather is sustained exhaustion and decreased capacity for physical and mental work that is not relieved by rest – Get up tired after a night's sleep, always tired. • Also, a subjective lack of physical and/or mental energy that interferes with usual and desired activities Fatigue: A Big Problem • 10 million physician office visits/year in USA. • Usual cause for this fatigue in general doctor’s office = depression. • Different in Parkinson’s disease, various other medical illnesses. 2 Many Illnesses and Drugs Cause Fatigue • Medical diseases – Diabetes – Thyroid disease (too low or too high) – Emphysema, heart failure – Rheumatologic diseases – Cancer or radiation therapy – Anemia • Drugs – Beta blockers, antihistamines, pain killers, alcohol • Other neurological diseases – Strokes – Post polio syndrome – Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea – Old closed head injuries – Multiple sclerosis 5 Dimensions of Fatigue • General fatigue • Physical fatigue • Mental fatigue • Reduced motivation • Reduced activity Depression correlates with all 5 dimensions.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Look at the Etiology of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: Extraordinary Cultivations
    International Urology and Nephrology (2019) 51:1961–1967 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-019-02248-5 UROLOGY - ORIGINAL PAPER A new look at the etiology of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: extraordinary cultivations Tahsin Batuhan Aydogan1 · Oznur Gurpinar2 · Ozgen Koseoglu Eser2 · Begum Aydogan Mathyk3 · Ali Ergen1 Received: 25 April 2019 / Accepted: 24 July 2019 / Published online: 30 July 2019 © Springer Nature B.V. 2019 Abstract Purpose So far, studies have not clearly identifed infectious agents as an etiological factor for interstitial cystitis (IC). Spe- cifc microbiological diagnosis for detecting the pathogen with higher sensitivity in IC may decrease the treatment costs and increase psychosocial health of the patients. Methods A prospective clinical study was performed in 26 IC patients and 20 controls between April and September 2017. All participants were asked to give mid-stream urine sample for routine urine cultures. Followed by the negative results, symptomatic 26 patients were evaluated for L-form pathogen existence by extraordinary cultivation methods. Biopsy sam- ples were taken from 19 patients with ulcerative lesions in the bladder while collecting sterile urine samples from all 26 patients. PG broth, 5% sheep blood agar, EMB, Sabouraud’s dextrose, LEM, and GYPA were used. Followed by the 1st day inoculations, all inoculated PG broths were subcultured into the same solid media at the 2nd and 10th days in case of any growth after incubation of 24 h under 35–37 °C. The “O’Leary Sant Symptom and Problem Index” score forms were used to evaluate response to the appropriate treatment for those patients with documented pathogens.
    [Show full text]
  • Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
    What I need to know about Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Kidney and Urologic Diseases NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse What I need to know about Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Kidney and Urologic Diseases NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse Contents What is interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS)? ............................................... 1 What are the signs of a bladder problem? ............ 2 What causes bladder problems? ............................ 3 Who gets IC/PBS? ................................................... 4 What tests will my doctor use for diagnosis of IC/PBS? ............................................................... 5 What treatments can help IC/PBS? ....................... 7 Points to Remember ............................................. 14 Hope through Research........................................ 15 Pronunciation Guide ............................................. 16 For More Information .......................................... 17 Acknowledgments ................................................. 18 What is interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS)? Interstitial cystitis*/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is one of several conditions that causes bladder pain and a need to urinate frequently and urgently. Some doctors have started using the term bladder pain syndrome (BPS) to describe this condition. Your bladder is a balloon-shaped organ where your body holds urine. When you have a bladder problem, you may notice certain signs or symptoms. *See page 16 for tips on how to say the words in bold type. 1 What are the signs of a bladder problem? Signs of bladder problems include ● Urgency. The feeling that you need to go right now! Urgency is normal if you haven’t been near a bathroom for a few hours or if you have been drinking a lot of fluids.
    [Show full text]
  • Brain Imaging Reveals Clues About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 23 May 2014
    Brain imaging reveals clues about chronic fatigue syndrome 23 May 2014 The results are scheduled for publication in the journal PLOS One. "We chose the basal ganglia because they are primary targets of inflammation in the brain," says lead author Andrew Miller, MD. "Results from a number of previous studies suggest that increased inflammation may be a contributing factor to fatigue in CFS patients, and may even be the cause in some patients." Miller is William P. Timmie professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. The study was a collaboration among researchers at Emory University School of Medicine, the CDC's Chronic Viral Diseases Branch, and the University of Modena and Reggio Credit: Vera Kratochvil/public domain Emilia in Italy. The study was funded by the CDC. The basal ganglia are structures deep within the brain, thought to be responsible for control of A brain imaging study shows that patients with movements and responses to rewards as well as chronic fatigue syndrome may have reduced cognitive functions. Several neurological disorders responses, compared with healthy controls, in a involve dysfunction of the basal ganglia, including region of the brain connected with fatigue. The Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, for findings suggest that chronic fatigue syndrome is example. associated with changes in the brain involving brain circuits that regulate motor activity and In previous published studies by Emory motivation. researchers, people taking interferon alpha as a treatment for hepatitis C, which can induce severe Compared with healthy controls, patients with fatigue, also show reduced activity in the basal chronic fatigue syndrome had less activation of the ganglia.
    [Show full text]
  • Fatigue After Stroke
    SPECIAL REPORT Fatigue after stroke PJ Tyrrell Fatigue is a common symptom after stroke. It is not invariably related to stroke severity & DG Smithard† and can occur in the absence of depression. It is one of the most troublesome symptoms for †Author for correspondence many patients and yet nothing is known of its causation. There are no specific treatments. William Harvey Hospital, Richard Steven’s Ward, This article assesses the available literature in the context of what is known about fatigue Ashford, Kent, in other disorders. Post-stroke fatigue may be a manifestation of sickness behavior, TN24 0LZ, UK mediated through the central effects of the cytokine interleukin-1, perhaps via effects on Tel.: +44 123 361 6214 Fax: +44 123 361 6662 glutamate neurotransmission. Possible therapeutic strategies are discussed which might be [email protected] a logical basis from which to plan randomized control trials. Following stroke, approximately a third of common and disabling symptom of Parkinson’s patients die, a third recover and a third remain disease [7,8] and of systemic lupus [9]. More than significantly disabled. Even those who recover 90% of patients with poliomyelitis develop a physically may be left with significant emotional delayed syndrome of post-myelitis fatigue [10]. and psychologic dysfunction – including anxi- Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom of ety, readjustment reactions and depression. One patients with cancer who receive radiation, cyto- common but often overlooked symptom is toxic or other therapies [11], and it may persist fatigue. This may occur soon or late after stroke, for years after the cessation of treatment [12].
    [Show full text]
  • Symptoms of Overactive Bladder and Interstitial Cystitis – How Different?
    183 Homma Y1, Tanaka M1, Niimi A1 1. Japan Red Cross Medical Centre SYMPTOMS OF OVERACTIVE BLADDER AND INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS – HOW DIFFERENT? Hypothesis / aims of study Overactive bladder (OAB) is a symptom syndrome of urgency, frequency or urgency incontinence [1]. Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a bladder disease with a symptom syndrome of urgency, frequency, or bladder pain. Difference in symptoms of these confusable disorders is to be examined. Study design, materials and methods Female patients with OAB or IC and asymptomatic controls were recruited for the study. Diagnosis of OAB is based on 1) OAB symptom score [2] larger than 5 and/or urgency incontinence, and 2) exclusion of stress urinary incontinence and other obvious diseases. IC was diagnosed by 1) O’Leary & Sant’s symptom score [3] larger than 7 and/or bladder pain, 2) exclusion of other obvious diseases, and 3) Hunner’s ulcer or bladder bleeding at hydrodistension under anesthesia. The subjects recorded, in 3-day bladder diary, time voided, voided volume and intensity (0: none, 1: slightly, 2: moderately, 3: a lot) of 6 sensations or symptoms (urge to void, fear of leakage, amount of leakage, bladder discomfort, bladder pain and feeling of incomplete emptying) for each micturition. Additionally the urge questionnaire of 5 questions addressing the conditions during the last week was administered: 1) Did you feel urge to void that was not followed by voiding? (Response: yes, no), 2) Did you feel strong urge to void? (yes, no), 3) In case of yes in question 2, did you feel strong urge to void suddenly? (yes, no), 4) What happened or might happen, if you held strong urge to void for a long time, 1 hour for example ? (Response: leak urine, feel discomfort and/or pain, both), 5) In case of discomfort and/or pain in question 4, could you tell these 2 sensations apart? (yes, no).
    [Show full text]
  • Interstitial Cystitis? You May Have Interstitial Cystitis If Any of the Following Occur: Interstitial Cystitis • You Have to Urinate Often Or Urgently
    the bladder wall. An autoimmune response (when antibodies are made that act against a part of the body such as in rheumatoid arthritis) may also be the cause in some people. How does my doctor know I have interstitial cystitis? You may have interstitial cystitis if any of the following occur: Interstitial Cystitis • You have to urinate often or urgently. • You have persistent pelvic or bladder pain. A Guide for Women • A doctor finds bladder wall inflammation, pinpoint bleed- 1. What is interstitial cystitis? ing or ulcers during an exam with a special telescope 2. What causes interstitial cystitis? (called a cystoscope) used to look inside your bladder. 3. How does my doctor know I have interstitial cystitis? • Your doctor has ruled out other diseases such as urinary 4. How is interstitial cystitis treated? tract infections, vaginal infections, bladder cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases that may mimic some of the 5. Other Treatment Options symptoms of interstitial cystitis. 6. Where can I get more information about interstitial How is interstitial cystitis treated? cystitis? Because the causes of IC are unknown, current treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. One or a combination of treat- ments helps most people for variable periods. As researchers What is interstitial cystitis? learn more about IC the list of potential treatments will change, Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a term used to describe the condition so patients should discuss their options with a doctor. Most peo- of bladder pain or discomfort with a frequent and often urgent ple feel better after trying one or more of the following treat- need to pass urine.
    [Show full text]
  • ME/CFS) Key Facts
    KEY FACTS FEBRUARY 2015 For more information visit www.iom.edu/MECFS Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Key Facts What is the prevalence of ME/CFS? • ME/CFS affects 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans. • An estimated 84 to 91 percent of people with ME/CFS have not yet been diagnosed, meaning the true prevalence of ME/CFS is unknown. • ME/CFS affects women more often than men. Most patients currently diagnosed with ME/CFS are Caucasian, but some studies suggest that ME/CFS is more common in minority groups. • The average age of onset is 33, although ME/CFS has been reported in patients younger than age 10 and older than age 70. What are the symptoms and other effects of ME/CFS? • There are five main symptoms of ME/CFS: 1. Reduction or impairment in ability to carry out normal daily activities, accompanied by pro- found fatigue; 2. Post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after physical, cognitive, or emotional effort); 3. Unrefreshing sleep; 4. Cognitive impairment; and 5. Orthostatic intolerance (symptoms that worsen when a person stands upright and improve when the person lies back down). • Other common manifestations of ME/CFS include pain, failure to recover from a prior infection, and abnormal immune function. • At least one-quarter of ME/CFS patients are bed- or house-bound at some point in their illness. • Symptoms can persist for years, and most patients never regain their pre-disease level of health or functioning. • ME/CFS patients experience loss of productivity and high medical costs that contribute to a total economic burden of $17 to $24 billion annually.
    [Show full text]
  • Cluster Headacheheadache
    ClusterCluster HeadacheHeadache 1 OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES Describe the clinical features and diagnosis of cluster headache Discuss the pathogenesis of cluster pain and autonomic features Review acute and preventive therapy Overview of new treatment horizons for refractory chronic cluster 2 IHSIHS CLASSIFICATIONCLASSIFICATION Cluster headache n Episodic type (80%) n Chronic type (20%) (Cluster period lasts for more than one year without remission or remission lasts less than 14 days) Episodic Chronic IHS Headache Classification Committee. Cephalalgia. 2004. Although the unique clinical features of cluster headache (CH) have been recognized since the 17th century, the striking periodicity was not articulated until the 1940s. The term “cluster headache” was coined in the 1950s, and since then the International Headache Society (IHS) has identified and classified two major temporal patterns of CH (1). The episodic type (ECH), by far the most common (90%), is characterized by discrete attack and remission phases. The chronic type (CCH) is defined by attacks that occur daily for more than one year without remission or with remission periods lasting less than 14 days. Cluster headache is rare (about 0.4% of the general population), and it predominates in males, although recent studies indicate that the rate in females is rising (2). Onset can occur at any age but usually begins between 30 and 50 years of age (3). In contrast to migraine headache, genetics in cluster headache is not thought to be important, although recent studies have shown a positive family history in about 7% of patients with cluster headache. When compared with prevalence of CH in the general population, first-degree relatives have about a 14-fold increased risk of developing CH.
    [Show full text]
  • HEADACHES and ME/CFS INTRODUCTION Headaches Are Often Reported by People with ME/CFS
    MANAGEMENT FILE the ME association by DR CHARLES SHEPHERD, our medical adviser This leaflet is based on an article which first appeared in the ME Association’s quarterly ME Essential magazine. MEA membership costs £18 a year for people living in the UK/BFPO. For contact details, see foot of this page. February 2020 HEADACHES AND ME/CFS INTRODUCTION Headaches are often reported by people with ME/CFS. They also form part of the symptom list for most diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. But headaches can obviously have other causes – physical and psychological – as well. WHAT CAUSES HEADACHES? Doctors classify headaches as being sides of the head – as if a rubber band arteries in the head and neck. primary where there is no obvious link has been stretched around it. Common Temporal arteritis is a medical to an underlying medical problem, or causes include stress, depression, lack emergency that requires urgent treat- secondary where there is a clear link. of proper sleep, skipping meals, not ment with high-dose steroids. drinking enough fluid and alcohol. Primary headaches include: Headaches in women can be caused Secondary headaches are caused by Cluster headaches by hormonal problems – including an existing medical problem. Some of An excruciatingly painful headache taking the contraceptive pill, going these are serious, which is why you must that causes intense pain around one through the menopause, pregnancy, see your doctor if you have severe or eye. Cluster headaches are fairly rare and as part of period pain. persistent headaches. and tend to occur in clusters for a It’s also worth noting that a headache month or two, sometimes around the Common causes, which are normally is the most common symptom of same time each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Disease Fact Sheet Series
    WISCONSIN DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH Department of Health Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Disease Fact Sheet Series What is chronic fatigue syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a recently defined illness consisting of a complex of related symptoms. The most characteristic symptom is debilitating fatigue that persists for several months. What are the other symptoms of CFS? In addition to profound fatigue, some patients with CFS may complain of sore throat, slight fever, lymph node tenderness, headache, muscle and joint pain (without swelling), muscle weakness, sensitivity to light, sleep disturbances, depression, and difficulty in concentrating. Although the symptoms tend to wax and wane, the illness is generally not progressive. For most people, symptoms plateau early in the course of the illness and recur with varying degrees of severity for at least six months and sometimes for several years. What causes CFS? The cause of CFS is not yet known. Early evidence suggested that CFS might be associated with the body's response to an infection with certain viruses, however subsequent research has not shown an association between an infection with any known human pathogen and CFS. Other possible factors that have been suspected of playing a role in CFS include a dysfunction in the immune system, stress, genetic predisposition, and a patient’s psychological state. Is CFS contagious? Because the cause of CFS remains unknown, it is impossible to answer this question with certainty. However, there is no convincing evidence that the illness can be transmitted from person to person. In fact, there is no indication at this time that CFS is caused by any single recognized infectious disease agent.
    [Show full text]
  • A Retrospective, Epidemiological Review of Hemiplegic Migraines in a Military Population
    MILITARY MEDICINE, 00, 0/0:1, 2019 A Retrospective, Epidemiological Review of Hemiplegic Migraines in a Military Population Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/milmed/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/milmed/usz040/5382215 by AMSUS Member Access user on 22 April 2019 CPT Brian A. Moore, USAR*†; Willie J. Hale*; Paul S. Nabity†; CAPT Tyler R. Koehn, MC, USAF‡; Donald McGeary†; Lt Col Alan L. Peterson, BSC USAF (Ret.)*†§ ABSTRACT Introduction: Headaches are one of the world’s most common disabling conditions. They are also both highly prevalent and debilitating among military personnel and can have a significant impact on fitness for duty. Hemiplegic migraines are an uncommon, yet severely incapacitating, subtype of migraine with aura for which there has been a significant increase amongst US military personnel over the past decade. To date, there has not been a scientific report on hemiplegic migraine in United States military personnel. Materials and Methods: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of hemiplegic migraine, to analyze data on the incidence of hemiplegic migraine in US military service members, and to evaluate demographic factors associated with hemiplegic migraine diagnoses. First time diagnoses of hemiplegic migraine were extracted from the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database according to ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for hemiplegic migraine. One sample Chi-Square goodness of fit tests were conducted on weighted demographic samples to determine whether significant proportional differences existed between gender, age, military grade, service component, race, and marital status. Results: From 1997 to 2007 there were no cases of hemiplegic migraine recorded in the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database.
    [Show full text]