From Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 19 December 2012 (e-published ahead of print)
Chronic fatigue syndrome following infections in adolescents
Katz, Ben Z.; Jason, Leonard A.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review the recent epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of postinfectious chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in adolescents.
RECENT FINDINGS
Thirteen percent of adolescents (mainly women) met the criteria for CFS 6 months following infectious mononucleosis; the figure was 7% at 12 months and 4% at 24 months. Peak work capacity, activity level, orthostatic intolerance, salivary cortisol, and natural killer cell number and function were similar between adolescents with CFS following infectious mononucleosis and recovered controls. Autonomic system, oxygen consumption, peak oxygen pulse, psychological and cytokine network differences were documented between those who recovered and those who did not.
SUMMARY
The prognosis of CFS is better in adolescents than in adults. Activity level, exercise tolerance, and orthostatic testing could not distinguish patients with CFS from adolescents who have recovered from infectious mononucleosis (controls), while certain cytokine network analyses, life stress factors, and autonomic symptoms could.
From the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 18 September 2012. Epub ahead of print.
Purine metabolites in fibromyalgia syndrome.
Fais A, Cacace E, Corda M, Era B, Peri M, Utzeri S, Ruggiero V.
Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università di Cagliari, 09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum purine metabolite concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters.
DESIGN AND METHODS
Serum purine levels were quantified using LC/UV-vis in 22 fibromyalgic females (according to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) and 22 healthy females.
RESULTS
Significantly higher serum inosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine levels (p<0.001) and significantly lower serum adenosine (p<0.05) were detected in the FMS patients vs healthy controls. Our data show a negative correlation between adenosine and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ).CONCLUSIONSStudy results suggest that purines, in particular adenosine and inosine, may be involved in pain transmission in fibromyalgia.