Clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis is an illness characterized by profound malaise after mental or physical effort occurring in patients already suffering from constant fatigue. On the other hand, widespread pain and widespread allodynia are the core fibromyalgia clinical features. There is controversy on these two syndromes alikeness. Through the years, different diagnostic and/or classification criteria have been put forward to appraise both fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis. The epidemiology of these two illnesses, and their overlap, may vary accordingly to the used definition. The most recent Wolfe et al. 2016 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria incorporates three myalgic encephalomyelitis features including fatigue, waking unrefreshed and dyscognition. The objective of this meta-analysis was to define the clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis based on a systematic literature review. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, and Cochrane data bases were searched on January 25, 2021 linking the medical subject heading "Fibromyalgia" to the following terms "chronic fatigue syndrome", "myalgic encephalomyelitis" and "systemic exertion intolerance disease". Our review included all original articles in which the clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis could be quantified based on recognized diagnostic or classification criteria. Articles scrutiny and selection followed the PRISMA guidelines. Each study quality was assessed according to GRADE recommendations. The global clinical overlap was calculated using a fixed effect model with inverse variance-weighted average method. RESULTS: Twenty one publications were included in the meta-analysis. Reviewed studies were highly dissimilar in their design, objectives, sample size, diagnostic criteria, and/or outcomes yielding a 98% heterogeneity index. Nevertheless, the clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis was a well defined outcome that could be reliably calculated despite the high heterogeneity value. All reviewed publications had moderate GRADE evidence level. Most evaluated articles used the old 1990 Wolfe et al. fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria. Myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia diagnoses overlapped in 47.3% (95% CI: 45.97-48.63) of the reported cases. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis found prominent clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis. It seems likely that this concordance would be even higher when using the most recent Wolfe et al. 2016 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.

Quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers in Colombia: One-year follow-up. / Calidad de vida en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple y sus cuidadores en Colombia: un año de seguimiento

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease associated with neurological disability. Clinical features include motor, cerebellar, visual, and sensory function alterations, as well as psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, and irritability. There is little literature available on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis and their caregivers in Colombia given that there is no information on the subject in this particular population to establish comprehensive management plans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the MusiQol and CareQol questionnaires and the Beck Depression Inventory. A prospective analytical observational protocol was designed to include patients aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis between October, 2014, and October, 2015, at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. We evaluated quantitative variables and Spearman correlations. The data analysis was carried out with Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis participated in the study. Chronic fatigue was the most common comorbidity in 27%. The MusiQol questionnaire revealed a good basal quality of life, which remained at similar levels in the follow-ups at six and 12 months. Quality of life was good during the study since there were no statistically significant differences between baseline and follow-up MusiQol scores. Good quality of life was also observed in caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life of several Colombian patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis was very good. This positive result was also observed in caregivers as evidenced by the results of the CareQol questionnaire. We also observed and indicated an inversely proportional correlation between the Expanded Disability Status Scale and the quality of life indexes.

Introducción. La esclerosis múltiple es una enfermedad desmielinizante inflamatoria crónica asociada con discapacidad neurológica que afecta la función motora, cerebelosa, visual y sensorial, y se presenta con comorbilidades psiquiátricas como depresión, ansiedad e irritabilidad. Hay escasa literatura disponible sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus cuidadores. Objetivo. Evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes con esclerosis múltiple y sus cuidadores en Colombia dado que no hay información sobre el tema en esta población en particular para establecer planes de manejo integral. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron los cuestionarios MusiQol, CareQol y el inventario de depresión de Beck. Se diseñó un protocolo observacional analítico prospectivo para pacientes de 18 a 65 años con diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple remitente recurrente entre octubre de 2014 y octubre de 2015 en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Se evaluaron variables cuantitativas y las correlaciones de Spearman. El análisis de datos se hizo mediante la prueba t de Student y la U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados. Participaron 55 pacientes diagnosticados con esclerosis múltiple remitente recurrente. En el 27 % de ellos la fatiga crónica fue la comorbilidad más frecuente. El cuestionario MusiQol reveló una buena calidad de vida de base, que se mantuvo en niveles similares en los seguimientos a los seis y los 12 meses. La calidad de vida fue buena durante el estudio y sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las puntuaciones de base del cuestionario MusiQol y las de seguimiento. Se observó una buena calidad de vida en los cuidadores. Conclusiones. La calidad de vida de los pacientes colombianos participantes en el estudio con diagnóstico de esclerosis múltiple fue muy buena, así como la de los cuidadores según los resultados del cuestionario CareQol. Se observó una correlación inversamente proporcional entre la Expanded Disability Status Scale y los índices de calidad de vida.

Prevalence of fibromyalgia in a low socioeconomic status population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of fibromyalgia, as well as to assess the major symptoms of this syndrome in an adult, low socioeconomic status population assisted by the primary health care system in a city in Brazil. METHODS: We cross-sectionally sampled individuals assisted by the public primary health care system (n = 768, 35-60 years old). Participants were interviewed by phone and screened about pain. They were then invited to be clinically assessed (304 accepted). Pain was estimated using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Fibromyalgia was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), as well as screening for tender points using dolorimetry. Statistical analyses included Bayesian Statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis Anova test (significance level = 5%). RESULTS: From the phone-interview screening, we divided participants (n = 768) in three groups: No Pain (NP) (n = 185); Regional Pain (RP) (n = 388) and Widespread Pain (WP) (n = 106). Among those participating in the clinical assessments, (304 subjects), the prevalence of fibromyalgia was 4.4% (95% confidence interval [2.6%; 6.3%]). Symptoms of pain (VAS and FIQ), feeling well, job ability, fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, anxiety and depression were statically different among the groups. In multivariate analyses we found that individuals with FM and WP had significantly higher impairment than those with RP and NP. FM and WP were similarly disabling. Similarly, RP was no significantly different than NP. CONCLUSION: Fibromyalgia is prevalent in the low socioeconomic status population assisted by the public primary health care system. Prevalence was similar to other studies (4.4%) in a more diverse socioeconomic population. Individuals with FM and WP have significant impact in their well being.

Comparative epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome in Brazilian and British primary care: prevalence and recognition.

BACKGROUND: Although fatigue is a ubiquitous symptom across countries, clinical descriptions of chronic fatigue syndrome have arisen from a limited number of high-income countries. This might reflect differences in true prevalence or clinical recognition influenced by sociocultural factors. AIMS: To compare the prevalence, physician recognition and diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome in London and São Paulo. METHOD: Primary care patients in London (n=2459) and São Paulo (n=3914) were surveyed for the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome. Medical records were reviewed for the physician recognition and diagnosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome according to Centers for Disease Control 1994 criteria was comparable in Britain and Brazil: 2.1% v. 1.6% (P=0.20). Medical records review identified 11 diagnosed cases of chronic fatigue syndrome in Britain, but none in Brazil (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The primary care prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome was similar in two culturally and economically distinct nations. However, doctors are unlikely to recognise and label chronic fatigue syndrome as a discrete disorder in Brazil. The recognition of this illness rather than the illness itself may be culturally induced.

Nuevas enfermedades ¿del alma?: reflexiones psicosomáticas a propósito de algunas analogías estructurales entre síndrome de fatiga crónica, fibromialgia y sensitividad química múltiple / New maladies - of the soul?: reflections concerning some structural analogies among chronic fatigue syndrome fibromyalgie and multiple chemical sensitivities

Introducción. En los últimos años se ha observado la expansión de una serie de cuadros clínicos situados en la frontera entre el soma y la psique. Entre ellos cabe destacar el síndrome de fatiga crónica (CFS), la fibromialgia (FM) y la enfermedad medioambiental sensitividad química múltiple (MCS). En la actualidad, no hay un consenso científico a propósito de etiología, patogénesis y tratamiento de las afecciones nombradas, lo que ha impedido que se formula una respuesta clínica adecuada a dichas molestias. Dada la mencionada falta de homogeneización de criterios los autores proponen someter a dichas enfermedades a un análisis crítico desde un punto de vista comparativo. CFS, FM y MCS, pensadas desde una perspectiva interdisciplinaria, más que genuinas enfermedades orgánicas parecen ser el resultado sobredeterminado de la confluencia simultánea de múltiples factores psicosociales. Recuperando el concepto de somatización, por un lado, y el de angustia, por el otro, los autores proponen un enfoque psicosomático de CFS, FM y MCS, basado en sus respectivas analogías estructurales.

Introduction. Recent years have seen an increase in several illnesses located on the border between body and mind. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM) and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are particularly prominent members of this group. There is currently no scientific consensus on the etiology, pathogenesis and medical treatment of these maladies, and, consequently, no adequate clinical response has been formulated. Considering the lack of homogeneous criteria, the authors carry out a critical analysis from a comparative point of view. CFS, FM and CFS, seen from an interdisciplinary perspective, seem to be more the result of the simultaneous confluence of multiple psychosocial factors than genuine organic diseases. Using the concepts of somatization and anxiety, the authors propose a complementary psychosomatic approach based on the structural analogies of CFS, FM and MCS.

Patterns of orthostatic intolerance: the orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and adolescent chronic fatigue.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (OTS) in adolescents, similarities to and differences from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and patterns of orthostatic intolerance during head-up tilt (HUT). STUDY DESIGN: Using electrocardiography and arterial tonometry, we investigated the heart rate and blood pressure responses during HUT in 20 adolescents with OTS compared with 25 adolescents with CFS, 13 healthy control subjects, and 20 patients with simple faint. RESULTS: Of the control subjects, 4 of 13 experienced typical vasovagal faints with an abrupt fall in blood pressure and heart rate, and 14 of 20 patients with simple faint experienced similar HUT responses. All patients with CFS (25/25) experienced severe orthostatic symptoms with syncope in 2 of 25, early orthostatic tachycardia during HUT in 16 of 23 (13/16 hypotensive), and delayed orthostatic tachycardia in 7 of 23 (6/7 hypotensive). Acrocyanosis and edema occurred in 18 of 25. Early orthostatic tachycardia occurred in 10 of 20 patients with OTS. Of these, 9 of 10 were hypotensive, but hypotension was delayed in 4 of 9. Delayed tachycardia occurred in 10 of 20 (all hypotensive). Acrocyanosis and edema occurred in most patients with CFS, fewer patients with OTS, and in one patient with simple faint. Orthostatic symptoms were similar but more severe in patients with CFS compared with patients with OTS. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms and patterns of orthostatic heart rate and blood pressure change in OTS overlap strongly with those of CFS. Orthostatic intolerance in OTS may represent an attenuated form of chronic fatigue pathophysiology.

Síndrome de fatiga crónica / Chronic fatigue syndrome

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disease that originates in the 18th Century of unknown etiology. The chronic fatigue is a common complain with an estimate prevalence of 24. In 1988 the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was define by the experts due to an increase in the recognition of the disease. Is a disease that possess similar characteristics to other conditions for which the diagnosis is one of exclusion. Cases has been reported around the world been most common in women between 20-50 years of age. The treatment is mostly supportive

[Chronic fatigue syndrome]. / Síndrome de fatiga crónica.

The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disease that originates in the 18th Century of unknown etiology. The chronic fatigue is a common complain with an estimate prevalence of 24%. In 1988 the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was define by the experts due to an increase in the recognition of the disease. Is a disease that possess similar characteristics to other conditions for which the diagnosis is one of exclusion. Cases has been reported around the world been most common in women between 20-50 years of age. The treatment is mostly supportive.

Evaluación retrospectiva de anticuerpos heterofilos y específicos contra el virus Epstein-Barr en pacientes con sospecha de mononucleosis infecciosa / Retrospective analysis of heterophile and specific antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus in patients with clinical diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis

Se realizó un estudio comparativo, retrospectivo entre las técnicas de Paul Bunnel Davidsohn y la de inmunofluorescencia para la pesquisa de anticuerpos específicos contra el virus de Epstein-Barr. Se analizaron 44 sueros de pacientes (18 hombres y 26 mujeres) menores de 30 años, enviados al Instituto de Salud Pública con el diagnóstico de mononucleosis infecciosa. Se detectaron 11 casos (+) para MNI, 9 de los cuales coincidieron por ambas técnicas. Un caso fue (+) solo por IFI y otro solo por PBD. Los (+) por IFI presentaron: IgG VCA (+), IgM VCA (+) y EBNA (-), los Ac anti early demostraron ser inespecíficos en el diagnóstico de esta enfermedad. Este trabajo demuestra que el PBD sigue siendo una buena alternativa para el diagnóstico de MNI y que bastaría realizar IgM VCA y EBNA para efectuar este mismo diagnóstico por la técnica de IFI. La detección de Ac específicos debiera realizarse de rutina en niños menores y cuando se desee conocer el estado inmune de un individuo al VEB