CO-CURE Medical & Research Posts Only Digest - 4 Sep 2006 to 11 Sep 2006 (#2006-42)
There are 18 messages totalling 1334 lines in this issue.
Topics of the week:
1. RES: Physical Therapy and Other Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Fibromyalgia Management
2. RES: Soft tissue determinants of low back pain
3. RES: Fibromyalgia syndrome: the beneficial effects of exercise
4. med: WHO -ICD version 2006
5. RES: Creating meaning in fibromyalgia syndrome
6. RES: Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia.
7. RES: No evidence for an association between the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and fibromyalgia syndrome
8. RES: Interesting article on MCS
9. RES: Medscape article on somatization
10. MED, ACT: CFS 2005 - The Year In Review
11. RES,NOT: Children can inherit CFS
12. RES: Bone turnover and hormonal perturbations in patients with fibromyalgia
13. NOT,RES,ACT: May 12 InvestinME Conference DVD's available to US and Canada
14. res: disabling fatigue in children - Familial
15. RES: Low relationship satisfaction and high partner involvement predict sexual problems of women with fibromyalgia
16. RES: The Symptom Intensity Scale, Fibromyalgia, and the Meaning of Fibromyalgia-like Symptoms
17. NOT,MED: Scientific underpinnings of the CDC undermined according to CDC scientists
18. RES: Exploratory subgrouping in CFS: Infectious, inflammatory, and other
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Co-Cure Research & Medical posts only
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Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 13:51:27 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Physical Therapy and Other Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Fibromyalgia Management
Physical Therapy and Other Nonpharmacologic Approaches to Fibromyalgia Management.
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Oct;10(5):333-8.
Blehm R.
Portland VA Medical Center, 3710 SW US Vets Hospital Road, P3-PM&RS, Portland, OR 97207, USA.
PMID: 16945248
Fibromyalgia is a vague and changing syndrome that comprises many symptoms. Due to the confounding nature of fibromyalgia syndrome, there has been much debate about which interventions and therapies should be considered as viable treatment options. Opinions continue to shift in publication and research circles, with little documentation to show good, long-term outcomes.
Several studies have shown promise, with initial improvement in symptoms, but in many cases, these improvements were not lasting or the patients were then unable to continue/replicate the program on their own.
In this article, some of the more recently published findings regarding the efficacy of exercise are explored, specifically physical therapy and other nonpharmacologic interventions, for managing fibromyalgia syndrome.
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Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 13:57:37 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Soft tissue determinants of low back pain
Soft tissue determinants of low back pain.
Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Oct;10(5):339-44.
Borg-Stein J, Wilkins A.
Spaulding-Wellesley Rehabilitation Center, 65 Walnut Street,Wellesley, MA
02481, USA. jborgstein@xxxxx.xxx
PMID: 16945249
Low back pain is one of the complaints most commonly seen in the clinical
setting. Correctly or incorrectly, these patients are often given the
diagnosis of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, disk herniation, or
some other label. It is important to recognize the soft tissue causes of
low back pain and understand how they can be most appropriately diagnosed
and managed.
Nonligamentous disorders of the low back region may occur in isolation or
in combination with underlying discogenic, ligamentous, and facet-mediated
causes of pain. Therefore, in order to fully evaluate and treat a patient
with low back pain, it is necessary to consider and address these soft
tissue conditions.
This paper reviews soft tissue causes of low back pain and discusses how
they are most appropriately diagnosed and managed.
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Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2006 14:03:26 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Fibromyalgia syndrome: the beneficial effects of exercise
Fibromyalgia syndrome: the beneficial effects of exercise.
Rehabil Nurs. 2006 Sep-Oct;31(5):193-8.
Karper WB, Jannes CR, Hampton JL.
Department of Exercise and Sport Science, School of Health and Human
Performance, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, USA. wbkarper@xxxx.xxx
PMID: 16948441
This article highlights positive outcomes for a convenience sample of six
women (49-64 years of age) with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who
participated in an exercise program over 5 years.
This group showed improvement with various FMS symptoms, fitness, and
psychosocial factors early in the program, then showed further improvement
as a result of adding new exercises to the protocol during the fourth and
fifth years.
Data suggest that certain people with FMS can improve their functional
capacity with exercise over time, and move to even higher levels of
physical function while aging and coping with FMS.
Practical advice is provided for rehabilitation nurses regarding exercise
and FMS.
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Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 01:29:11 +0200
From: Jan van Roijen <j.van.roijen@xxxxxx.xx>
Subject: med: WHO -ICD version 2006
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Send an Email for free membership
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
>>>> Help ME Circle <<<<
>>>> 5 September 2006 <<<<
Editorship : j.van.roijen@xxxxx.xx
Outgoing mail scanned by Norton AV
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
http://www3.who.int/icd/currentversion/fr-icd.htm
World Health Organisation
ICD version 2006
Online version
there is a very good search engine, with which can be searched
by Disease or by Code
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Question from a Dummy:
Has *Chronic Fatigue Syndrome* disappeared from the ICD ?
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Just some short impressions:
searching for G93.3:
``````````````````````````
G93 Other disorders of brain
G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis
G93.4 Encephalopathy, unspecified (MEA -sic!)
searching for chronic fatigue syndrome:
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
could not be found (!)
searching for CFS:
``````````````````````````
CFS could not be found
searching for ME/CFS:
``````````````````````````````
ME/CFS could not be found
searching for chronic fatigue:
```````````````````````````````````````
F06.7 Mild cognitive disorder
F07.2 Postconcussional syndrome
F48.0 Neurasthenia
G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
R53 Malaise and fatigue
searching for fatigue syndrome:
``````````````````````````````````````````
F06.7 Mild cognitive disorder
F07.2 Postconcussional syndrome
F48.0 Neurasthenia
G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
R53 Malaise and fatigue
searching for fatigue:
`````````````````````````````
F06.7 Mild cognitive disorder
F07.2 Postconcussional syndrome
F43.0 Acute stress reaction
F44.0 Dissociative amnesia
F48.0 Neurasthenia
G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
M48.4 Fatigue fracture of vertebra
O26.8 Other specified pregnancy-related conditions
R53 Malaise and fatigue
T67.6 Heat fatigue, transient
searching for myalgic encephalomyelitis:
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````
A85 Other viral encephalitis, not elsewhere classified
G04 Encephalitis, myelitis and encephalomyelitis
G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
````````````````````````````
Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Borrelia-infekties are
present in the ICD-10.
A49.3 Mycoplasma infection, unspecified
B96.0 Mycoplasma pneumoniae [M. pneumoniae] as the cause
of diseases classified to other chapters
J15.7 Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
J20.0 Acute bronchitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
P23.6 Congenital pneumonia due to other bacterial agents
etc.
A49 Bacterial infection of unspecified site
A55 Chlamydial lymphogranuloma (venereum)
A56 Other sexually transmitted chlamydial diseases
etc.
A79.1 Rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari
A79.9 Rickettsiosis, unspecified
Y59.1 Rickettsial vaccines
etc.
A68.0 Louse-borne relapsing fever
A68.1 Tick-borne relapsing fever
A69.2 Lyme disease
~jvr
``````````````````````````````
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
ICD-10 was endorsed by the Forty-third World Health Assembly
in May 1990 and came into use in WHO Member States as from
1994. The classification is the latest in a series which has its
origins in the 1850s. The first edition, known as the International
List of Causes of Death, was adopted by the International
Statistical Institute in 1893. WHO took over the responsibility for
the ICD at its creation in 1948 when the Sixth Revision, which
included causes of morbidity for the first time, was published.
The ICD has become the international standard diagnostic
classification for all general epidemiological and many health
management purposes. These include the analysis of the
general health situation of population groups and monitoring of
the incidence and prevalence of diseases and other health
problems in relation to other variables such as the
characteristics and circumstances of the individuals affected.
It is used to classify diseases and other health problems
recorded on many types of health and vital records including
death certificates and hospital records. In addition to enabling
the storage and retrieval of diagnostic information for clinical
and epidemiological purposes, these records also provide the
basis for the compilation of national mortality and morbidity
statistics by WHO Member States.
- History of ICD [pdf, 148kb] [pdf 152kb]
http://www.who.int/entity/classifications/icd/en/HistoryOfICD.pdf
- Implementation of ICD
http://www.who.int/entity/classifications/icd/implementation/en/index.html
- Updating process
http://www.who.int/entity/classifications/icd/updates/en/index.html
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Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 14:51:28 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Creating meaning in fibromyalgia syndrome
Creating meaning in fibromyalgia syndrome.
Soc Sci Med. 2006 Aug 30; [Epub ahead of print]
Madden S, Sim J.
Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK; Keele University, UK.
PMID: 16949713
Gaining a diagnosis is considered to legitimate a person's illness, to both
the self and the wider social world, while also giving hope that
treatments, and possibly a cure, will be found. A further function of
diagnosis from the patient's perspective is to give meaning to the illness
experience, which is often uncertain and confusing. To do so, a diagnosis
must itself have meaning.
This paper explores the creation of meaning in a medically unexplained
disorder, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Semi-structured interviews, in which
the diagnostic process was explored, were conducted with 17 people
diagnosed with FMS in the United Kingdom, selected from a hospital database
(16 women, 1 man). Documentary analysis was also undertaken on information
available from support groups and health professionals.
Although initially an acceptable diagnosis to sufferers, FMS was viewed as
a mysterious label, which provided no meaning at the time of diagnosis. The
sought information was accessed in an attempt to resolve its
meaninglessness, but this proved problematic due to the ambiguous
definition of FMS within the medical and support group literature, the
invisible nature of the illness, and the lack of an environment where these
uncertainties could be openly discussed.
Informants varied in the degree of longer-term acceptance of a diagnosis of
FMS, in relation to the concordance they achieved between the diagnosis and
their experience of illness.
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Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 14:54:37 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia.
Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined
Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Sep;29(7):524-528.
Citak-Karakaya I, Akbayrak T, Demirturk F, Ekici G, Bakar Y.
Assist. Prof. at Mugla University, Mugla School of Health Sciences, Mugla
University, Mugla School of Health Sciences, Mugla, Turkey.
PMID: 16949941
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term and 1-year
follow-up results of connective tissue manipulation and combined ultrasound
(US) therapy (US and high-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation) in terms of
pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on the functional
activities in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).
METHODS: This is an observational prospective cohort study of 20 female
patients with FM. Intensity of pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and
impact of FM on functional activities were evaluated by visual analogue
scales. All evaluations were performed before and after 20 sessions of
treatment, which included connective tissue manipulation of the back daily,
for a total of 20 sessions, and combined US therapy of the upper back
region every other session. One-year follow-up evaluations were performed
on 14 subjects. Friedman test was used to analyze time-dependent changes.
RESULTS: Statistical analyses revealed that pain intensity, impact of FM on
functional activities, and complaints of nonrestorative sleep improved
after the treatment program (P < .05).
CONCLUSION: Methods used in this study seemed to be helpful in improving
pain intensity, complaints of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on
functional activities in patients with FM.
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Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 10:47:19 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: No evidence for an association between the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and fibromyalgia syndrome
No evidence for an association between the Glu298Asp polymorphism of the
endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and fibromyalgia syndrome.
Rheumatol Int. 2006 Sep 2; [Epub ahead of print]
Alasehirli B, Demiryurek S, Arica E, Gursoy S, Demiryurek AT.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gaziantep,
Gaziantep, Turkey.
PMID: 16951945
The objective of this study was to analyze the genotype distributions and
allele frequencies for the Glu298Asp (G894T) polymorphism of the eNOS gene
and the serum nitric oxide level among the patients with fibromyalgia
syndrome (FS).
Ninety-six fibromyalgia patients and 79 unrelated healthy volunteer
controls were included in the study. All patients and controls were
females. Genomic DNA from 96 patients meeting the American College of
Rheumatology 1990 criteria for FS and 79 healthy controls was analyzed by
polymerase chain reaction. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction
fragment-length polymorphism analysis of eNOS gene polymorphism was
performed, and the results of the patients with FS and healthy controls
were compared. Ozone-based chemiluminescence assay with Sievers NO Analyzer
was used to measure the serum nitric oxide levels.
Neither the frequencies of the Glu298Asp genotypes nor the serum nitric
oxide levels showed a significant difference between the groups.
These results suggested that FS of the Turkish population seemed to develop
without any alterations in eNOS Glu298Asp genotype frequency and the serum
nitric oxide level.
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Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 11:36:08 -0700
From: "Sabine Spiesser <sabine.spiesser@xxxxx.xxx>.........via Co-Cure
moderator"
Subject: RES: Interesting article on MCS
This may be of interest to many sufferers - Sabine Spiesser
Multiple chemical sensitivities following intolerance to azo dye in sweets in
a 5-year-old girl. This study reports on a 5-year-old girl who suffered from
recurrent reactions accompanied by urticaria, angioedema, headaches, dyspnea,
loss of consciousness, and abdominal pain that were not eradicated, but were
instead exacerbated, by various treatments with antihistamines and intravenous
corticosteroids. Her diet diary revealed that symptoms occurred after
ingestion of colorful sweets such as candies and jellybeans. Open challenge
tests with food additives and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
were performed after elimination of these items. Skin prick tests using
additives and NSAIDs, which were dissolved in saline, and prick- prick tests
using candies and jellybeans, were carried out.
Open challenge tests with Tartrazine, aspirin and acetaminophen were positive,
whereas skin prick tests using additives and NSAIDs and prick-prick tests
using candies and jellybeans were all negative. Consequently, intolerance to
azo dyes and NSAIDs such as aspirin was diagnosed. However, she appeared to
react to multiple chemical odors such as those of cigarette smoke,
disinfectant, detergent, cleaning compounds, perfume, and hairdressing, all
while avoiding additives and NSAIDs. On the basis of her history and the
neuro-ophthalmological abnormalities, a diagnosis of severe MCS was made and
she was prescribed multiple vitamins and glutathione.
Multiple chemical sensitivities following intolerance to azo dye in sweets in
a 5-year-old girl. Naoko Inomata, Hiroyuki Osuna, Hiroyuki Fujita, Toru Ogawa
and Zenro Ikezawa Allergol International 2006;55(2):203-205
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Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 21:27:07 +1000
From: Alexa McLaughlin <alexa@xxxx.xxx.xx>
Subject: RES: Medscape article on somatization
Recognizing and Managing Somatizing Patients in Primary Care
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/5932
A few gems:
"As with full and abridged somatization disorder, MSD does not
eliminate patients who meet criteria for the co-occurring psychiatric
or somatoform spectrum disorders (such as irritable bowel syndrome,
chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia) that commonly coexist with
undifferentiated somatization." (section 2)
and
"The goal of medical management is not to eradicate the somatic
symptoms but rather to help the patient to tolerate them better, to
cope with them more successfully, and to improve role function and
physical function despite some residual degree of physical distress.
This goal is akin to the clinician's goal in managing chronic medical
illnesses such as diabetes or heart failure: It is not to cure the
disease outright but rather to contain the illness and help the
patient to live successfully with, adapt to, and minimize it " (section 9)
and
"The literature supporting antidepressant therapy for several of the
functional somatic syndromes, particularly irritable bowel syndrome,
chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, is growing. Two
meta-analyses concluded that most studies demonstrated some
symptomatic improvement, although the treatment effect size tends to
be modest. Neither tricyclic antidepressants nor serotonin reuptake
inhibitors offered a clear advantage over the other, and the
therapeutic response was not typically correlated with an improvement
in depressive symptoms. Whether the therapeutic response is mediated
via resolution of an underlying, subclinical psychiatric disorder or
via another independent pharmacologic action remains unknown." (section 10)
and
"This program was supported by an independent educational grant from
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts" (section 13)
Alexa McLaughlin
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Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 11:49:58 -0700
From: "Cort Johnson.........via Co-Cure moderator"
Subject: MED,ACT: CFS 2005 - The Year In Review
from Cort Johnson phoenixcfs@xxxxx.xxx
CFS 2005 - The Year In Review
http://phoenix-cfs.org/PR%
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Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 11:11:06 +0200
From: "Dr. Marc-Alexander Fluks" <fluks@xxx.xx>
Subject: RES,NOT: Children can inherit CFS
Source: News Medical Net
Date: September 7, 2006
URL: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=19975
Genetic link to chronic fatigue
-------------------------------
Unexplained disabling fatigue in childhood is mainly due to genetic inheritance,
a study of twins has revealed. Chronic fatigue in young people can be disabling
and is the main illness-related reason for long absences from school.
A genetic study of twins by researchers in Cardiff University's School of
Medicine (Department of Psychological Medicine) found that although disabling
fatigue and depression occur together, they have different genetic and
environmental causes.
Participants were identified from the University's Cardiff Study of All Wales
and North West of England twins. Parents of 1,468 twins and 930 older twin pairs
took part in the study.
Analysis was undertaken for disabling fatigue of more than one week (short
duration) and more than one month (prolonged).
The study led by Dr Tom Fowler with colleagues at Cardiff University and
Professor Anne Farmer at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, found that 67% of
the influences on short-duration fatigue in children and adolescents are
genetic. The results suggest that prolonged fatigue is also linked to familial
influences.
Dr Fowler, Department of Psychological Medicine said: "Our research found that
the majority of genetic and environmental differences are specific to disabling
fatigue and distinct from depression. This suggests the fatigue states in
children should be considered as valid entities in their own right, and not as
variants of depression."
--------
(c) 2006 News-Medical.Net
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Western Mail
Date: September 8, 2006
Author: Sally Williams
URL: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=17706616&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=why-being-a-twin-can-be-very-tiresome-name_page.html
Why being a twin can be very tiresome
-------------------------------------
Welsh researchers studying twins have made a breakthrough and discovered that
children can inherit chronic fatigue - which is the equivalent of ME in adults.
Although most children seem to have endless energy, some youngsters in Wales
suffer from chronic fatigue that can be so disabling they have long absences
from school. The adolescents have fatigue that leaves them exhausted and they
have problems with concentration and short-term memory.
They also suffer flu-like symptoms, such as pain in the joints and muscles,
unrefreshing sleep, tender lymph nodes, a sore throat and headaches.
This genetic study of twins by researchers in Cardiff University's School of
Medicine (Department of Psychological Medicine) reveals that 67% of the
influences on short-duration fatigue in children and adolescents are genetic.
It also found that the disabling fatigue occurs together with depression,
although researchers believe that they have different genetic and environmental
causes.
Dr Tom Fowler, of Cardiff University, said, "Our research found that the
majority of genetic and environmental differences are specific to disabling
fatigue and distinct from depression. This suggests the fatigue states in
children should be considered as valid entities in their own right and not as
variants of depression. We found that more than 2% of Welsh children suffer
from disabling fatigue for at least three months' duration. Some children
reported falling asleep at school and half of those studied had to have time
off from school because of the problem. Just under half of the youngsters (38%)
said it interfered with their education and they needed to have a reduced
timetable or school work sent home to catch up."
He said there was some evidence to suggest that the prognosis for young
sufferers was better than for adults suffering a similar condition. He added,
"It is a largely unrecognised problem that can go undetected and a number of
checks need to be carried out to rule out other disorders such as diabetes,
anaemia, or the Epstein bar virus, which is a risk factor, but not the cause.
Young people tend to soldier on with it for months until they find that they
recover for a little while. But it can affect their adolescence. We would like
to see more research into the problem."
Dr Ian Millington, of the BMA, who is a GP in Swansea, said there are "no easy
markers" for GPs to diagnose chronic fatigue." He said, "The symptoms are
non-specific and it can be difficult to separate the physical and psychological
side of it. You often have to start by excluding all other possible causes first
and it can be difficult to spot in just one visit when the illness is starting.
It is only when the illness has been going on for a while that you get a
clearer picture. The numbers of sufferers are relatively small in childhood and
most GPs would only expect to see about one or two cases of it in a career."
Participants were identified from a study of All Wales and Greater Manchester
twins. Parents of 1,468 twins and 930 older twin pairs took part in the study
in association with Professor Anne Farmer at the Institute of Psychiatry,
London.
What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
---------------------------------
- A mysterious, disabling and "invisible" medical problem
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as chronic fatigue and immune
dysfunction syndrome
- There is no known cause
- CFS is at least as disabling as, if not more than, lupus, multiple sclerosis
and rheumatoid arthritis.
--------
(c) 2006 Western Mail
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Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 12:39:14 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Bone turnover and hormonal perturbations in patients with fibromyalgia
Bone turnover and hormonal perturbations in patients with fibromyalgia.
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 Jul-Aug;24(4):428-31.
El Maghraoui A, Tellal S, Achemlal L, Nouijai A, Ghazi M, Mounach A, Bezza
A, Derouiche el M.
Rheumatology and Physical Rehabilitation Department, Hospital Mohammed V,
Rabat, Morocco.
PMID: 16956434
OBJECTIVE: Studies of bone turnover in fibromyalgia (FM) have, to date,
shown conflicting results. Although most patients with FM are women, only a
few investigations have paid attention to the changes of sex hormones in
FM. Moreover, FM is often viewed as a stress related disorder, and
abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been
found in FM. The aim of the study was to assess bone turnover using serum
osteocalcin and CTx in patients with FM and study correlation between bone
turnover parameters and parathormon and hormones of the HPA axis.
METHODS: A total of 81 subjects participated in this study: 41 healthy
volunteers and 40 patients with FM. Serum osteocalcin, crosslaps
(C-telopeptide: CTx), parathyroid hormone (PTH), testosterone, estrogen,
prolactin, FSH, and LH were measured. The mean age of the study population
was 49.5 (7.6) years (32-69) and the mean disease duration was 8.1 (12.0)
years (4.5-30.7).
RESULTS: No difference between patients and controls were observed in serum
calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, albumin, osteocalcin, testosterone, and
urinary calcium. Patients had lower serum levels of CTx, estrogen, PTH and
prolactin than controls and higher serum levels of LH and FSH with a
significant statistical difference. No significant statistical correlation
was observed between intensity of pain and fatigue and bone turnover
parameters and PTH or hormones of the HPA axis.
CONCLUSION:Our study showed that patients with FM had low bone resorption
and normal bone formation compared to a control group. This was not related
to several hormonal perturbations observed in these patients and may
reflect functional impairment as suggested in previous studies.
[Return to top]
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Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 18:14:25 +0000
From: Mary Schweitzer <marymsch@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: NOT,RES,ACT: May 12 InvestinME Conference DVD's available to US and Canada
Invest in ME has announced that an NTSC version of the ME Conference 2006 DVD is now available. This version will play on US/Canadian players/TVs without a converter.
This is great news. The four-DVD set contains the entire program from the May 12, 2006, M.E. conference in London. Go to:
<http://www.investinme.org/IIME%20Campaigning-MEConference2006-film-reg.htm>
for an order form. Or go directly to the InvestinME website and click on the box to order the DVCD set:
<http://www.investinme.org/>
Speakers included in the DVD set:
* Ian Gibson, the M.P. who is conducting the Gibson Inquiry in Parliament
* Bruce Carruthers, on the Canadian ME/CFS consensus definition and treatment protocol
* Malcoln Hooper, reviewing the biomedical research into M.E.
* Byron Hyde, on the history of M.E. and its definition
* Jane Colby, on special problems of children with M.E.
* Jonathan Kerr, on his own genome study with respect to ME/CFS
* Basant KJ. Puri, on evidence into the pathophysiology of M.E.
There is also the heartbreaking story of the tragic loss of young Sophia, who died from "CFS" according to the results of the full formal inquest (she had significant damage to the root basal ganglia), told by her mother.
The fourth DVD contains the PowerPoint presentations, including tables and graphs. (If you do not have a PowerPoint reader, you can download one for free from Microsoft.com)
InvestinME will change the orders of Canadian or U.S. patients who had already ordered the DVD in the PAL format (which will play on a computer with DVD capabilities, but not on an American or Canadian TV set).
InvestinME also welcomes the chance to offer the conference dvd to your members and would appreciate any help in publicising the important issues being raised by the presenters at the conference.
The presentations would be very useful for presenting to support groups (perhaps half at a time), particularly in the United States where there is not much information available about Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, a condition that has been diagnosed in the UK, Canada, and Australia, for 50 years - and in Canada, much that was once known has been forgotten.
M.E. is not a syndrom, but a disease. It is diagnosed by its symptoms - not by eliminated everything it is not. The ME/CFS clinical definition and treatment protocols adopted by Canada in 2003 (reviewed here by Dr. Carruthers, one of the authors) do the best job of describing the disease and guiding doctors of anything I have seen. The speakers acknowledge M.E. as a physical illness of great complexity.
The full set costs $25 (US), but the information contained therein is worth it.
Mary Schweitzer
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Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 02:33:55 +0200
From: Jan van Roijen <j.van.roijen@xxxxx.xx>
Subject: res: disabling fatigue in children -Familial
Send an Email for free membership
~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~
>>>> Help ME Circle <<<<
>>>> 7 September 2006 <<<<
Editorship : j.van.roijen@xxxxx.xx
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Reference: *Chronic Child Fatigue Likely To Be Genetic*
by Jill McLaughlin; Co-Cure:
http://listserv.nodak.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0609b&L=co-cure&T=0&P=895
Relationship between disabling fatigue
and depression in children: Genetic study.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Br J Psychiatry. 2006 Sep;189:247-53.
Fowler TA, Rice F, Thapar A, Farmer A.
Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of
Psychological Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff,
Wales CF14 4XN, UK. fowlerta@cardiff.ac.uk.
BACKGROUND:
Medically unexplained disabling fatigue in young people is
familial and frequently associated with depressed mood.
AIMS:
To examine the degree of sharing of genetic and environmental
influences on the symptoms of depression and fatigue in this
age group.
METHOD:
The parents of twins aged 8-17 years, derived from a
population-based register, completed a questionnaire regarding
lifetime-ever disabling fatigue in both twins. Twins aged 11
years or over completed the Mood and Feelings Questionnaire.
The genetic and environmental influences on fatigue and the
relationship with depression were examined using bivariate
genetic analysis.
RESULTS:
Parent-rated data were obtained for 1468 twin pairs (65%) and
self-rated data from 930 older twin pairs (58%). Bivariate
analysis of fatigue and depression suggested that genetic and
environmental influences on disabling fatigue were mainly
specific to fatigue.
CONCLUSIONS:
Unexplained disabling fatigue in childhood is substantially
familial and has mainly an independent aetiology from
depression.
PMID: 16946360 [PubMed - in process]
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Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:30:16 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Low relationship satisfaction and high partner involvement predict sexual problems of women with fibromyalgia
Low relationship satisfaction and high partner involvement predict sexual
problems of women with fibromyalgia.
J Sex Marital Ther. 2006 Oct-Dec;32(5):409-23.
Kool MB, Woertman L, Prins MA, Van Middendorp H, Geenen R.
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht,
The Netherlands.
PMID: 16959664
To examine the predictive potential of relationship variables on sexual
functioning in women with fibromyalgia, we instructed 63 women (age 21-54
years) to fill out several questionnaires.
Low relationship satisfaction was the strongest and most-frequent predictor
of problematic sexual functioning. In addition, more fatigue and-only after
taking account of relationship satisfaction-more active engagement (i.e.,
involvement) of the spouse were associated with reduced sexual functioning
and satisfaction.
Our study suggests that for women with fibromyalgia, relationship
satisfaction is good for sexual functioning. Although having an involved
spouse is good for the relationship, it may be bad for sexual functioning.
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Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:09:54 -0400
From: "Bernice A. Melsky" <bernicemelsky@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: The Symptom Intensity Scale, Fibromyalgia, and the Meaning of Fibromyalgia-like Symptoms
The Symptom Intensity Scale, Fibromyalgia, and the Meaning of
Fibromyalgia-like Symptoms.
J Rheumatol. 2006 Sep 1; [Epub ahead of print]
Wolfe F, Rasker JJ.
PMID: 16960921
OBJECTIVE: To characterize a scale for the measurement of fibromyalgia
(FM)-like symptoms; to investigate whether FM is a discrete disorder; to
understand the significance of FM-like symptoms; and to investigate causal
and noncausal factors in the development of such symptoms.
METHODS: We evaluated 25,417 patients with rheumatic disease using the
Symptom Intensity (SI) Scale, a self-report scale that combines a count of
pain in 19 nonarticular regions with a visual analog scale for fatigue. We
studied this scale in relation to demographics, clinical symptoms, and
serious outcomes, including serious medical illnesses, hospitalization,
work disability, and death.
RESULTS: Compared with other rheumatic disease assessments, the SI scale
was the best identifier of symptoms associated with FM content, including
an increase in general medical symptoms. SI scale elevations were
associated with increases in cardiovascular disorders, hospitalization,
work disability, and death. Persons with socioeconomic disadvantage by
reason of sex, ethnicity, household income, marital status, smoking, and
body mass had increased SI scores. For almost all clinical variables
studied, the prevalence and/or severity of the variable increased linearly
with SI scores.
CONCLUSION: We identified a clinical marker for general symptom
intensification that applies in all patients and is independent of a
diagnosis of FM. We found no clinical basis by which FM may be identified
as a separate entity. Higher scores on the SI scale were associated with
more severe medical illness, greater mortality, and sociodemographic
disadvantage, and these factors appear to play a role in the development of
FM-like symptoms and symptom intensification.
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Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 13:32:24 -0700
From: Steven Du Pre <isaiah40@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: NOT, MED: Scientific underpinnings of the CDC undermined according to CDC scientists
Exodus, morale shake CDC
By Alison Young
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 09/10/06
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2006/09/09/0910MESHcdcmorale.html
Small section from article:
"Until now, many of the agency's current and former scientists have refused
to talk publicly about what they see as the agency's problems. Concern has
reached critical mass in recent months, prompting even some who are still
employed by the agency to fear that staying silent will do more harm to CDC
than airing the agency's laundry in public.
They say changes at the agency are putting CDC's performance at risk.
"The sense I get is a lot of the decision-making and a lot of the resources
are getting moved away from the scientific underpinnings of the agency,"
said Dr. Stephen Ostroff, who was deputy director of CDC's National
Center for Infectious Diseases until he left the agency last year. Ostroff
was a leader of CDC's much praised responses to outbreaks of SARS
and monkeypox."
Steven Du Pre
Poetry website: http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/soareagle/index.html
"By words the mind is winged." Aristophanes
Website for National Alliance for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: http://www.name-us.org
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Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 21:01:54 -0400
From: Co-Cure Moderator <ray@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: RES: Exploratory subgrouping in CFS: Infectious, inflammatory, and other
Corradi, K.M., Jason, L.A., & Torres-Harding, S.R., (2006).
Exploratory subgrouping in CFS: Infectious, inflammatory, and other. In
A. Columbus (Ed.), Advances in Psychology Research. Volume 41 (pp.
115-127). Hauppauge, N. Y.: Nova Science Publishers.
Abstract
The current study sought to subgroup individuals with chronic fatigue
syndrome. Based on a battery of basic laboratory screening tests,
subgroups of Infectious, Inflammatory and Other were formed. When
compared to controls, all subgroups reported significantly greater
physical disability. Additionally, the Other group reported greater
physical disability when compared to the Inflammatory group. When
considering mental disability, only the Inflammatory group reported
greater levels of disability. The Inflammatory and Infectious groups had
an increased rate of current psychiatric comorbidity, but only in the
Inflammatory group had an increased rate of lifetime psychiatric
diagnoses. Interestingly, individuals who identified themselves as
members of minority groups were significantly more likely to present
with an ongoing infectious process when compared to Caucasian
participants.
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End of CO-CURE Medical & Research Posts Only Digest - 4 Sep 2006 to 11 Sep 2006 (#2006-42)
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