Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Volume 6, Issue 1, 2000

Volume 6, Issue 1, 2000

 * Editorial, by Roberto Patarca-Montero
 * Prevalence of Fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Illness in Children and Adolescents"Abstract - 'A community-based screening of over 12,000 households was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of fatigue and CFS-like illness in a sample of 5- to 17-year olds. Results indicate that over 4% of the sample was fatigued and that 2.05% were diagnosed with CFS-like illness. Adolescents had a slightly higher rate of CFS-like illness (2.91%) than did pre-pubescent children (1.96%). Those with CFS-like illness were almost evenly divided between male (47.5%) and female (52.5%). Youngsters of Latino origin had the highest representation in the CFS-like group. Symptom data, family patterns, and other data are presented for both the CFS-like group and the entire sample.'"
 * Erythrocyte Morphology in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Preliminary Study"Abstract - 'Erythrocyte deformability and erythrocyte membrane stability are dependent on the erythrocyte cytoskeleton and its relationship with the contents of the cell. Certain internal occurrences such as oxidation of sulphydryl groups on the membrane cytoskeleton or the haemoglobin molecule could alter this relationship and as a consequence, alter the membrane properties and the shape of the cell. It is thus conceivable that in conditions where there is a potential increase in the generation of free radicals, erythrocyte shape could be altered. We investigated the possibility that predictable shape changes occur in erythrocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition associated with free radical damage. We also investigated this possibility in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and whether any such change could be correlated with those seen in RA. Patients with CFS could be divided into two groups based on their erythrocyte morphology. Patients in one of these groups had increased numbers of stomatocytes. Patients with RA had increased numbers of leptocytes.'"
 * Investigation of Erythrocyte Oxidative Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome"Abstract - 'A role of free radical scavenging for erythrocytes has previously been demonstrated, which is additional to their established role of gas exchange. In carrying out this role, erythrocytes become damaged by oxidation, which consumes endogenous reducing substances. It was therefore proposed that there exists a link between erythrocyte metabolism (particularly redox metabolism) and erythro-cyte shape and that both of these should be related to erythrocyte deformability. To look for evidence of oxidative damage in vivo, the erythrocytes were assessed for reduced glutathione (GSH), malondial-dehyde (MDA), methaemoglobin (metHb) and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG) in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and healthy control subjects. Full blood counts, serum vitamin B12, erythrocyte folate, serum ferritin, serum iron, serum iron binding capacity and erythrocyte magnesium were also performed on all samples. Patients with RA had increased 2,3-DPG, GSH and metHb when compared with the control group as well as the expected decreased haemoglobin, haematocrit, and serum iron. There was evidence of oxidative damage in CFS with 2,3-DPG metHb and MDA increased in this group. An increase in GSH could also be demonstrated in a sub-group of the CFS patients. This damage may explain the shape changes (presumably accompanied by increased rigidity) that have been reported in erythrocytes in patients suffering from CFS and suggests a role for free radicals in the pathogenesis of CFS.'"
 * An Empirical Verification of the Fennell Phases of the CFS Illness"Abstract - 'The Fennell Phase Inventory is an instrument designed to measure the phases typically experienced by individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome. In a previous study, a three-factor solution emerged. A cluster analysis was then conducted using the three mean scores for each individual, and four clusters emerged. These clusters matched the four phases predicted by Fennell. The Fennell Phase Inventory appears to be a promising way of differentiating the phases that are experienced by individuals with CFS.'"
 * Literature in Review
 * Letter to the Editor