Effect of Modified Yiweitang on Fatigue Symptom of Primary Sjörgren′s Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of modified Yiweitang on fatigue symptom and immunological indicators in primary Sjörgren′s Syndrome (pSS). Method:By random, control, single-blind method, 116 cases of patients with pSS were divided into treatment group and control group, with 58 cases in each group. The treatment group was given modified Yiweitang, a dose a day, twice a day， and the control group was given hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) 200 mg/time, twice a day. The treatment lasted for six months. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of fatigue symptoms, total traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, TCM fatigue score, rheumatoid factor (RF) and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) were used to compare two groups before and after treatment. Result:After treatment, the treatment group had a better efficacy on TCM syndromes than control group (Z=3.712, P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group were superior to control group in improvement of TCM fatigue score and VAS score of fatigue symptom (P<0.05). After 6 months of treatment, IgG level in treatment group decreased significantly compared with before treatment, with statistical differences (P<0.05), but no difference between treatment group and control group. After treatment, RF in two groups showed no significant decrease compared with before treatment. The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group were 1.75%（1/57） and 25.49%（13/51）, respectively. Conclusion:Compared with HCQ, modified Yiweitang can significantly alleviate fatigue and overall symptoms of patients of pSS, both of which can reduce serum IgG, and the efficacy of modified Yiweitang is more obvious than hydroxychloroquine sulfate. Both drugs had no significant effect on RF level of pSS patients. After long-term administration, modified Yiweitang is safer than hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the treatment of pSS.

Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome based on "interaction of brain and kidney" in TCM: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effects of acupuncture on the fatigue symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, the potential symptoms and cytokines on the base of the theory as "interaction of brain and kidney" and explore its clinical therapeutic effects and the potential mechanism.@*METHODS@#A total of 68 patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 34 cases in each one. In the control group, oryzanol and vitamin B1 were prescribed for oral administration and the patients were required to have a proper rest and physical exercise. In the observation group, on the base of the theory as "interaction of brain and kidney", acupuncture was added to Baihui (BL 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Taixi (KI 3). The treatment was given once a day, 5 treatments a week, with 2 days break. The consecutive treatment for 4 weeks was required. Before and after treatment, the score of the fatigue scale-14 (FS-14), the score of the somatic and psychological health report (SPHERE) and the score of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were observed in the patients of the two groups separately. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was adopted to determine the levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (INF-γ) before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, FS-14 scores, SPHERE scores and PSQI scores were all reduced as compared with the scores before treatment in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01). After treatment, the levels of IL-6 and INF-γ in the serum in the observation group were reduced as compared with the levels before treatment (both <0.01). After treatment, the scores of FS-14, SPHERE and PSQI as well as the levels of serum IL-6 and INF-γ in the observation group were all lower than the results in the control group (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#On the base of the theory as "interaction of brain and kidney", acupuncture therapy relieves the fatigue symptoms and the potential symptoms and improves the sleep quality in the patients of chronic fatigue syndrome. The effect mechanism is probably related to the decrease of the levels of IL-6 and INF-γ in serum.

Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms among Caregivers in Japan

Objective: To investigate the relationship of cumulative fatigue symptoms among caregivers in Japan with work environment issues and lifestyle behaviors. Methods: The subjects were 376 women (mean age, 54 years) attending professional seminars for caregivers held between 1999 and 2002. After obtaining informed consent, a survey was conducted to ascertain work environment issues, lifestyle behaviors and fatigue levels. Fatigue was quantitatively assessed using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index (CFSI) developed by Kosugoh et al. Factors related to caregiver fatigue were identified using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the Mann-Whitney U-test and multiple regression analysis. Results: Caregivers who felt anxiety or concern regarding care techniques, care content, personal relationships, work conditions, and physical fitness showed higher CFSI scores, while caregivers who exercised regularly and had proper eating behavior displayed lower CFSI scores. Anxiety/concern regarding physical fitness and proper eating behaviors were identified as significant predictors for all CFSI category scores (P<0.001). Regular exercise behavior (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), and years of work experience (P<0.001) also represented significant independent variables for some CFSI categories. Conclusion: Our results suggest that upgrading the knowledge and skills of care and nursing and modifying lifestyle behaviors could reduce the level of fatigue experienced by caregivers.

Cumulative fatigue symptoms among caregivers in Japan

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship of cumulative fatigue symptoms among caregivers in Japan with work environment issues and lifestyle behaviors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects were 376 women (mean age, 54 years) attending professional seminars for caregivers held between 1999 and 2002. After obtaining informed consent, a survey was conducted to ascertain work environment issues, lifestyle behaviors and fatigue levels. Fatigue was quantitatively assessed using the Cumulative Fatigue Symptoms Index (CFSI) developed by Kosugoh et al. Factors related to caregiver fatigue were identified using Pearson's correlation coefficient, the Mann-Whitney U-test and multiple regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Caregivers who felt an xiety or concern regarding care techniques, care content, personal relationships, work conditions, and physical fitness showed higher CFSI scores, while caregivers who exercised regularly and had proper eating behavior displayed lower CFSI scores. Anxiety/concern regarding physical fitness and proper eating behaviors were identified as significant predictors for all CFSI category scores (P<0.001). Regular exercise behavior (P<0.001), age (P<0.001), and years of work experience (P<0.001) also represented significant independent variables for some CFSI categories.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results suggest that upgrading the knowledge and skills of care and nursing and modifying lifestyle behaviors could reduce the level of fatigue experienced by caregivers.</p>