[DOWNLOAD] "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyletis: Are both Conditions on the Same Continuum?" by North American Journal of Psychology * eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyletis: Are both Conditions on the Same Continuum?
- Author : North American Journal of Psychology
- Release Date : January 01, 2005
- Genre: Education,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 222 KB
Description
Overlap exists between several functional somatic illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple chemical sensitivity and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Recently, researchers suggested that these entities are due to similar mechanisms with possible differences in symptom clusters. For instance, post-exertional malaise and impairment of memory and attention are essential for the ME criteria but are not required in the CFS criteria although symptom clusters only differ in severity. This study compares 26 ME patients and 41 CFS patients regarding cognitive problems and functionality using standardized objective test batteries instead of self-reported measures. Should no distinct features emerge, then ME could merge in the continuum CFS. No differences were found regarding functional status although ME patients reported more general fatigue. ME patients have more attention problems whereas CFS patients show more memory difficulties and a slower reaction time. Our results do not fully support the research criteria for ME. These differences could be more helpful in delineating a continuum instead of supporting distinct conditions. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) still evokes controversy in the medical literature. There may be several reasons for this. First, many different case definitions create heterogeneity not amenable to meta-analysis (Van Hoof et al., 2003). Second, clinicians become entangled because of the different possible ways to define its context. For instance, in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), CFS is classified as a neurological condition (G93.3) but when using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), CFS is called undifferentiated somatoform disorder or neurasthenia (F48.0). Finally, overlapping diagnoses occur among many conditions including CFS, Fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), rheumatoid arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome. This overlap suggest that these 'functional somatic illnesses' may be variants of one another. Several researchers have already suggested that these entities are due to similar if not identical mechanisms (Bruno et al., 1998; Buchwald et al., 1994; Donnay & Ziem, 1999; Hudson et al., 1992; Miller, 1999). The different conditions are thought to vary in the severity and the chronicity of complaints, producing distinct entities.