Chronic fatigue syndrome in an ethnically diverse population: the influence of psychosocial adversity and physical inactivity

Background  

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex multifactorial disorder. This paper reports the prevalence of chronic fatigue (CF) and CFS in an ethnically diverse population sample and tests whether prevalence varies by social adversity, social support, physical inactivity, anxiety and depression.     

Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objectives  

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV)-specific proviral DNA has been recently detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Since chronic fatigue is commonly reported in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) we aimed at testing the presence of this virus in these patients.     

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome performed worse than controls in a controlled repeated exercise study despite a normal oxidative phosphorylation capacity

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that a decreased mitochondrial ATP synthesis causes muscular and mental fatigue and plays a role in the pathophysiology of the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME).     

The Cognitive and Behavioural Responses to Symptoms Questionnaire (CBRQ): Development,reliability and validity across several long-term conditions

Objectives

Cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms can worsen or maintain the severity of symptoms across long-term conditions (LTCs). Although the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) has been used in research, its original development and psychometric properties as a transdiagnostic measure have not been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CBRQ and a recently proposed short version, across different LTCs.

Design

Psychometric validation study.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the factor structure of the CBRQ in two datasets from the CBRQ's original development; (chronic fatigue syndrome, N = 230; and multiple sclerosis, N = 221) and in additional groups: haemodialysis (N = 174), inflammatory bowel disease (N = 182) and chronic dizziness (N = 185). Scale reliability and construct validity were assessed. The factor structure of the shortened CBRQ (CBRQ-SF) was also assessed.

Results

CFA revealed that a 7-or 8-factor structure had generally appropriate fit supporting the originally proposed 7 factors (Fear avoidance, Damage beliefs, Catastrophising, Embarrassment avoidance, Symptom focusing, All-or-nothing behaviour and Avoidance/Resting behaviour). Omega coefficients indicated satisfactory internal reliability. Correlations with related constructs suggested construct validity. The scale appeared sensitive to change. The CBRQ-SF also displayed good psychometric quality, with a better model fit than the CBRQ.

Conclusions

The CBRQ and the shortened version were shown to be reliable and valid at assessing a range of cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms, highlighting the multi-symptom, transdiagnostic properties of this questionnaire. Further research is necessary to determine the test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the CBRQ and CBRQ-SF and a thorough evaluation of the content validity of the items.     

Fibromyalgia syndrome improved using a mostly raw vegetarian diet: An observational study

Background  

Fibromyalgia engulfs patients in a downward, reinforcing cycle of unrestorative sleep, chronic pain, fatigue, inactivity, and depression. In this study we tested whether a mostly raw vegetarian diet would significantly improve fibromyalgia symptoms.     

Complementary and alternative medical therapy utilization by people with chronic fatiguing illnesses in the United States

Background  

Chronic fatiguing illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), pose a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Previous clinical reports addressed the utilization of health care provided to patients with CFS by a variety of practitioners with other than allopathic training, but did not examine the spectrum of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used. This study was designed to measure CAM therapy use by persons with fatiguing illnesses in the United States population.     

A comparison of classification methods for predicting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome based on genetic data

Background  

In the studies of genomics, it is essential to select a small number of genes that are more significant than the others for the association studies of disease susceptibility. In this work, our goal was to compare computational tools with and without feature selection for predicting chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).     

An evaluation of exclusionary medical/psychiatric conditions in the definition of chronic fatigue syndrome

Background  

The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in research studies requires the exclusion of subjects with medical and psychiatric conditions that could confound the analysis and interpretation of results. This study compares illness parameters between individuals with CFS who have and those who do not have exclusionary conditions.     

A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for family carers of palliative care patients

Background  

Being a family carer to a patient nearing the end of their life is a challenging and confronting experience. Studies show that caregiving can have negative consequences on the health of family carers including fatigue, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and burnout. One of the goals of palliative care is to provide psychosocial support to patients and families facing terminal illness. A systematic review of interventions for family carers of cancer and palliative care patients conducted at the start of this millennium demonstrated that there was a dearth of rigorous inquiry on this topic and consequently limited knowledge regarding the types of interventions likely to be effective in meeting the complex needs of family carers. We wanted to discern whether or not the evidence base to support family carers has improved. Furthermore, undertaking this review was acknowledged as one of the priorities for the International Palliative Care Family Carer Research Collaboration .     

Use of selected complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments in veterans with cancer or chronic pain: a cross-sectional survey

Background  

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is emerging as an important form of care in the United States. We sought to measure the prevalence of selected CAM use among veterans attending oncology and chronic pain clinics and to describe the characteristics of CAM use in this population.     

Effects of different natural extracts in an experimental model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Objective and design

To characterize the impact of inflammatory process and oxidative stress in the degree of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in which chronic inflammation plays a crucial role, we investigated the effect of different plant extract preparations in an in vivo model of BPH as new therapeutic target.

Material

BPH was made in rats with daily administration of testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg) for 14 days.

Treatment

Rats were randomized into different groups to receive oral administration of plant extract preparations: Serenoa repens with selenium (SeR 28.5 mg/kg associated with Se 0.005 mg/kg), Teoside (2 mg/kg), and Puryprost (14 mg/kg containing Teoside 50% 2 mg/kg and Epilobium 12 mg/kg).

Methods

After 14 days, rats were killed and histological changes, prostate weight and apoptotic pathways were assayed.

Results

The results obtained demonstrated that the association of treatments reduced prostate weight and hyperplasia, while treatment with Puryprost demonstrated a greater trend of protection compared to the other treatments.

Conclusion

Thus, our results indicate that plant extract could be considered as new useful therapy in the treatment of BPH with particular attention on Puryprost that represents a rational approach to reduce BPH through modulation of inflammatory process and anti-oxidant process.

     

Influence of Symptom Expectancies on Stair-Climbing Performance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Effect of Study Context

Background

In patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), performance of physical activities may be affected by an anticipated increase in symptoms after these activities. Nijs et al. previously studied the influence of symptom expectancies and related psychological processes on the performance of an isolated physical activity [Nijs J, Meeus M, Heins M, Knoop H, Moorkens G, Bleijenberg G. Kinesiophobia, catastrophizing and anticipated symptoms before stair climbing in chronic fatigue syndrome: an experimental study. Disabil Rehabil 2012. doi:10.3109/09638288.2011.641661.].

Purpose

We aimed to validate the previous findings in a larger group of patients in a different setting. We also extended the possible underlying psychological processes studied.

Method

In 49 CFS patients, we measured performance (duration and increase in heart rate) during self-paced climbing and descending of two floors of stairs. Before this task, patients rated experienced fatigue and anticipated fatigue after stair climbing. In addition, kinesiophobia, catastrophising and focusing on bodily symptoms were measured. Using correlational and regression analyses, we tested whether performance during stair climbing could be explained by experienced and anticipated fatigue and psychological factors.

Results

Longer duration of stair climbing correlated with higher anticipated fatigue, independently of sex, age, body mass index and fatigue before stair climbing. Focusing on bodily symptoms and fatigue-related catastrophising were related to anticipated fatigue.

Conclusion

Symptom expectations affect the performance of physical activity in CFS patients, possibly through focusing on bodily symptoms and catastrophising. These findings partially contradict the findings of the previous study, which stresses the importance of study context in conducting this type of experiments (i.e., patient characteristics, instructions).     

How do parents of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) perceive their therapies?

Background  

Complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies are commonly used by pediatric patients with chronic medical conditions. Little is known about parents' perceptions of these therapies. This study describes the views of parents of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) regarding conventional and CAM therapies.     

Custom CGH array profiling of copy number variations (CNVs) on chromosome 6p21.32 (HLA locus) in patients with venous malformations associated with multiple sclerosis

Background  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex disorder thought to result from an interaction between environmental and genetic predisposing factors which have not yet been characterised, although it is known to be associated with the HLA region on 6p21.32. Recently, a picture of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), consequent to stenosing venous malformation of the main extra-cranial outflow routes (VM), has been described in patients affected with MS, introducing an additional phenotype with possible pathogenic significance.     

The role of the prostatic stroma in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

Objective  

To confirm the hypothesis of prostatic stromal involvement in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).     

Association of APOE polymorphism with chronic kidney disease in a nationally representative sample: a Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) Genetic Study

Background  

Apolipoprotein E polymorphisms (APOE) have been associated with lowered glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with e2 allele conferring risk and e4 providing protection. However, few data are available in non-European ethnic groups or in a population-based cohort.     

Impairment of TLR7-Dependent Signaling in Dendritic Cells from Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Infected Non-responders to Interferon/Ribavirin Therapy

Background and aim  

Dendritic cell (DC) dysfunction has been suggested to play a role in the weak antiviral T-cell responsiveness observed during the course of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether changes in DC functions might be related to a different therapeutic outcome in HCV-infected patients.     

Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein and gene therapies decrease autoimmunity and delay arthritis development in mouse model

Background  

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a multi-functional protein that has anti-inflammatory and tissue protective properties. We previously reported that human AAT (hAAT) gene therapy prevented autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and suppressed arthritis development in combination with doxycycline in mice. In the present study we investigated the feasibility of hAAT monotherapy for the treatment of chronic arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).     

Trunk motor variability in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain

Purpose

To identify and characterize trunk neuromuscular adaptations during muscle fatigue in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) and healthy participants.

Methods

Forty-six patients with non-specific chronic LBP and 23 healthy controls were asked to perform a trunk muscles fatigue protocol. Surface electromyography was recorded using two adhesive matrix of 64 electrodes applied bilaterally over the erector spinae. Pain score, kinesiophobia and physical disability were analyzed through different questionnaires. To characterize motor variability, dispersion of muscular activity center of gravity was computed. Motor variability between groups was compared using repeated-measures analyses of variance.

Results

Score of disability and kinesiophobia were significantly higher in patients with LBP. Results indicated a significant group effect characterized by an increased motor variability in the healthy group through the entire fatigue task on the left (p = 0.003) and right side (p = 0.048). Interestingly, increasing muscle fatigue led to increased motor variability in both groups (on both sides (p < 0.001) but with a greater increase in the healthy group.

Conclusion

Muscle recruitment is altered in patients with chronic LBP in the presence of muscle fatigue. Consequently, these patients exhibit changes in muscle recruitment pattern and intensity (lower levels of motor variability) during sustained isometric contraction that may be attributed to variation in the control of motor units within and between muscles. However, patients with LBP are able to increase their motor variability over time but with a lower increase compared to healthy participants.     

Immunological characterization and transcription profiling of peripheral blood (PB) monocytes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD): case study

Introduction  

There exists a small subset of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) characterized by fluctuating behavioral symptoms and cognitive skills following immune insults. Some of these children also exhibit specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency (SPAD), resulting in frequent infection caused by encapsulated organisms, and they often require supplemental intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (ASD/SPAD). This study assessed whether these ASD/SPAD children have distinct immunological findings in comparison with ASD/non-SPAD or non-ASD/SPAD children.