Síndrome de fatiga crónica: estudio de una serie consecutiva de 824 casos evaluados en dos unidades especializadas / Chronic fatigue syndrome: study of a consecutive series of 824 cases assessed in two specialized units

Fundamento y objetivo. El síndrome de fatiga crónica (SFC) condiciona una importante limitación funcional. En nuestro medio se disponen de escasos estudios sobre las características del SFC, por lo que se inició el estudio de una serie consecutiva de casos diagnosticados en dos unidades especializadas. Pacientes y método. Se han incluido todos los pacientes con SFC atendidos desde enero de 2008 hasta junio de 2010. Se analizaron datos sociodemográficos y laborales, tiempo desde el inicio, factores desencadenantes y forma de inicio, criterios diagnósticos de Fukuda y canadienses, los fenómenos comórbidos y el tratamiento. Resultados. Se incluyeron 824 pacientes, 748 (91%) mujeres, con una edad media de 48±9 años. La edad media de inicio de los síntomas fue de 35±11 años, el tiempo transcurrido hasta el diagnóstico fue de 108±88 meses. En 481 pacientes (58%) se identificó un factor desencadenante y en 517 (63%) el inicio fue gradual. En 515 (62,5%) pacientes la enfermedad estaba inactiva. Entre los criterios diagnósticos de Fukuda destacó la fatiga postejercicio físico, el sueño no reparador y las alteraciones en la concentración y memoria inmediata. Los bloques sintomáticos de los criterios canadienses mostraron la uniformidad de los síntomas. Los fenómenos comórbidos acompañantes fueron: ansiedad 691 (84%), síndrome seco 678 (82%) y fibromialgia 450 (55%). Realizaban tratamiento farmacológico 520 (63%) pacientes. Conclusiones. El SFC afecta preferentemente a mujeres jóvenes, condiciona importante ausentismo laboral. Entre los criterios diagnósticos destacó la intolerancia al ejercicio físico, la disfunción neurocognitiva y el sueño no reparador. En la valoración del paciente, es muy importante la aplicación de los criterios canadienses y estudiar la comorbilidad(AU)

Background and objective. The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling disorder. Few studies are available in our area on the prevalence and characteristics of CFS. Therefore, we carried out a study of a consecutive series of 824 cases diagnosed in two specialized units. Patients and methods. We evaluated all of the CFS patients seen from January 2008 to June 2010. We analyzed social and demographic data, employment status, time of clinical evolution, trigger factors and onset, Fukuda and Canadian criteria, associated comorbidities and treatment. Results. A total of 824 patients were included, 748 (91%) woman, mean age 48±9 years. Average age of onset of symptoms was 35±11 years, time to diagnosis 108±88 month. A precipitating factor was identified in 481 (58%) patients, the onset was gradual in 517 (63%) and 515 (62.5%) were not employed. The most outstanding diagnostic criteria of Fukuda were prolonged generalized fatigue after exercise, sleep disturbance and impairments in concentration and short-term memory. The different groups of symptoms defined by the Canadian consensus showed that CFS is a homogeneous entity. Accompanying comorbidity phenomena were anxiety 691 (83%), sicca syndrome 678 (82%), fibromyalgia 450 (55%). A total of 63% of patients (520) received pharmacological treatment. Conclusions. CFS is an illness that preferentially affects young women and results in employment absenteeism. The most relevant clinical features were prolonged generalized fatigue after exercise, neurocognitive impairment and sleep disturbance. In the evaluation of the patient, it is very important to apply the Canadian criteria and to assess comorbidity(AU)

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: study of a consecutive series of 824 cases assessed in two specialized units]. / Síndrome de fatiga crónica: estudio de una serie consecutiva de 824 casos evaluados en dos unidades especializadas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling disorder. Few studies are available in our area on the prevalence and characteristics of CFS. Therefore, we carried out a study of a consecutive series of 824 cases diagnosed in two specialized units. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated all of the CFS patients seen from January 2008 to June 2010. We analyzed social and demographic data, employment status, time of clinical evolution, trigger factors and onset, Fukuda and Canadian criteria, associated comorbidities and treatment. RESULTS: A total of 824 patients were included, 748 (91%) woman, mean age 48±9 years. Average age of onset of symptoms was 35±11 years, time to diagnosis 108±88 month. A precipitating factor was identified in 481 (58%) patients, the onset was gradual in 517 (63%) and 515 (62.5%) were not employed. The most outstanding diagnostic criteria of Fukuda were prolonged generalized fatigue after exercise, sleep disturbance and impairments in concentration and short-term memory. The different groups of symptoms defined by the Canadian consensus showed that CFS is a homogeneous entity. Accompanying comorbidity phenomena were anxiety 691 (83%), sicca syndrome 678 (82%), fibromyalgia 450 (55%). A total of 63% of patients (520) received pharmacological treatment. CONCLUSIONS: CFS is an illness that preferentially affects young women and results in employment absenteeism. The most relevant clinical features were prolonged generalized fatigue after exercise, neurocognitive impairment and sleep disturbance. In the evaluation of the patient, it is very important to apply the Canadian criteria and to assess comorbidity.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction in systemic lupus erythematosus.

In order to document intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) as a recently recognized manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we report the case or a woman with SLE who presented with IPO and we review 21 other previously reported cases from an English literature search. In 41% of the cases, IPO was the initial manifestation of their underlying lupus. The clinical and laboratory features were not significantly different from those reported in large series of patients with SLE, except for an apparent association with an urinary tract involvement (ureterohydronephrosis and interstitial cystitis). The pathogenic mechanism of this complication is not fully understood, but seems to be heterogeneous. IPO responded readily to high dose steroid therapy in all patients, but in some cases this complication evolved regardless of the underlying disease activity. A high level of awareness of this complication is needed to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

[Varicella pneumonia in the adult. A review of 25 cases]. / Neumonía varicelosa en el adulto. Revisión de 25 casos.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical, therapeutic, and evolutive features in 25 patients with the diagnosis of varicella pneumonia (VP) in the last 15 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnosis was established by clinical and radiologic criteria in the course of varicella infection. The antecedents of smoking habit, pregnancy, and underlying disease were evaluated. Hypoxemia was defined as a pO2 < or = 65 mmHg with a FiO2 of 0.21. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (16 males and 9 women; mean age 31.5 years, range: 24-43 years) were included in the study. Ninety-two percent of patients were smokers of more than 20 cigarettes a day; five met criteria of simple chronic bronchitis, 3 were known carriers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and one had a chronic liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. In 16 patients (64%) there were no underlying diseases and none of the female patients was pregnant. Respiratory symptoms began from the first and seventh day after the skin rash, and the most common symptoms were cough (76%), dyspnea (48%), and chest pain (44%). In 22 patients an arterial gas determination was obtained and hypoxemia was documented in 8 patients (32%). Hypoxemia was greater and statistically significant in patients with underlying diseases (p < 0.01). Chest X-ray revealed an interstitial pattern predominantly at both bases. Intravenous acyclovir therapy was started in 19 patients (76%) with severe respiratory symptoms and/or underlying disease. Three patients (12%) were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for mechanical ventilation. All patients had a favourable clinical course. CONCLUSIONS: Adult patients with symptoms of VP had a favourable clinical course with intravenous acyclovir, and the presence of hypoxemia was more commonly observed when underlying diseases were also present.

[Digestive cytomegalovirus disease in AIDS patients]. / Enfermedad digestiva por citomegalovirus en pacientes con sida.

BACKGROUND: In this paper we study the digestive manifestations of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in AIDS patients. Also, we evaluate the antiviral treatment and the necessity of maintenance therapy. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical charts of all patients with AIDS and digestive CMV disease diagnosed and followed-up since 1983 to december 1993. RESULTS: Of 720 AIDS patients, 96 presented a CMV disease. Among them, 30 patients (31%) complained digestive manifestations. These were 26 males and 4 females, mean age: 37.4 y-old. Risk factors for HIV were: 13 homosex and 12 intravenous drug abusers. Average of time between AIDS diagnosis and digestive CMV disease: 13.4 months. Fourteen patients had esophagitis, 9 proctocolitis, 3 hepatitis, 3 pancreatitis, 2 gastric ulcerations, one small bowel disease and other an oral ulceration. Two patients had a concomitant CMV chorioretinitis. CD4 lymphocytes were below 0.05 x 10(9)/l in 29 patients. Twenty-four patients received antiviral treatment during the acute disease period, with a clinical curation rate of 60%. Seven patients received maintenance therapy and remained free of CMV disease until death. Eleven patients didn't received maintenance treatment. Of them, one patient presented a digestive relapse and two developed a CMV chorioretinitis. Mortality in the first month from diagnosis was 23% and the median of survival time for patients who cured and initial episode of digestive CMV disease was 208 days, wether or not the patient received maintenance therapy or not. CONCLUSIONS: One third of ours patients with AIDS and CMV infection have a digestive disease. This CMV digestive disease appears in patients with a severe immunosuppression. Acute phase mortality was 23%. The median survival was 7 months, independently or receiving maintenance treatment or not.

[Spondylodiscitis caused by Enterococcus: an unusual entity]. / Espondilodiscitis por enterococo: una entidad inusual.

BACKGROUND: Spondylodiscitis by enterococcus is a very infrequent disease with only 2 cases caused exclusively by this microorganism having been reported in the literature. METHODS: Two clinical cases of spondylodiscitis by enterococcus diagnosed in the authors' department are presented with the clinical, radiologic and evolutive features of both. RESULTS: In the first case the spondylodiscitis was secondary to endocarditis with lumbosacral involvement and formation of an anterior epidural inflammatory mass. The second case was the consequence of an infection of urinary origin with lumbosacral involvement. Both patients responded favorably with only antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylodiscitis by enterococci is an unusual disease with no therapeutic experience. The authors report 2 cases which were treated exclusively with antibiotics.