Transcript Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome an integrated approach
Dr Cannell Midway Surgery St Albans Royal London Homoeopathic Hospital March 2004
My Interest and Background
Aim of this Presentation My work as a GP and Homeopathic Doctor My work for the PCT Cost to the country in 1998 £ 100M Landmark in 2000: ‘Chief Medical Officer’
I recognise that CFS is a real entity. It is distressing, debilitating, and affects a very large number of people… NICE has just been asked to report on CFS
The Doc and the CFS Patient ….
The Doc ‘Its all in the mind’..
A Heartsink? Not enough time?
The Patient … wants to be taken seriously Needs positive help Find professionals poorly understand it Find gap in service provision
Factors in developing CFS
(RLHH Patient Survey) Factor Viral infection Continuing Infection Work stress Relationship stress Emotional stress Food Allergy Major life event Hormonal disorder Other allergy No % 4.1
26.9
22.5
41 23.6
23.1
37.6
40.2
35.7
Possibly % 31.8
41.5
33.1
28.8
35.7
52.2
36.1
45.9
47.6
Definitely % 64.2
31.5
44.4
30.2
40.7
24.6
26.3
13.9
16.7
Better Prognosis
(50% adults feel recovered after five years but only 6% adults completely recover) under 20y of age have a definite history of mild viral or infectious illness symptoms less than 4 years no severe muscle pains or neurological symptoms
Worst Prognosis
If previous psychological disorder If following a severe infection, meningitis, encephalitis, Hepatitis B vaccinations if lack of social support, on going family or financial problems If treated by over-emphasising rest, too rapid a return to work If does not treat psychological or sleep disturbances Poor diet and nutrition
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Major Criteria..must have all Intern .
Definition Severe Fatigue present > than six months No other medical explanation A reduced level of activity New and definite onset Not life-long nor due to on-going exertion Not substantially relieved by rest Varies from day to day
Major ones plus 4 or more minor features– that must not pre-date illness Short Term Memory impairment Poor concentration ->reduction of activities Painful Muscles and Joints Post-exertional malaise (more than 24 hours) Sore throats Tender lymph nodes Unrefreshing sleep Headaches – new type or more severe
CFS: other common symptoms
‘Flu-like symptoms Visual disturbances Light and Noise Sensitivities Abdominal and digestive disorders Balance disturbance Chest pains, palpitations “thermostat problems” (night sweats) Low blood pressure
CFS: other common symptoms
Atypical anxiety / depression But suicidal thoughts rare Alcohol, drug & “chemical” intolerances ?? fibromyalgia and chronic hyperventilation, Irritable bowel syndrome, hypoglycaemia
Differential diagnosis of CFS
adrenal insufficiency, thyroid disease anaemia, (iron, B12, folate) chronic infections, immunodeficiency states coeliac disease and food intolerances auto-immune malignancy, leukaemias myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, mood disorders, depression, occasionally dementia, somatisation disorders, primary sleep disorders, rheumatic diseases, Exclude drug and substance abuse, organo-phosphates toxicity,
Theoretical Mechanisms
Hypothalamic- Pituitary- adrenal axis Autonomic system, control of endocrine function and biological rhythms Modified immune responses “Cell Membrane” Ion channels – viruses & toxins effect ?? synaptic sensitivity to neurotransmitters
KEYNOTE: Check these but usually normal
Sometimes ….
Leucopenia Raised ESR Abnormal RBC morphology (MCV) Abnormal LFTs (ALT, AST) Thyroid: lowish T4 & TSH Thyroid & gliadin antibodies
Useful to check
Ferritin and Urine!!!
Other auto-antibodies ANA Anti-viral titres, EBV AB’s serology Hep A B C Abs immunological profiles
CFS: other research findings
Minor ECG & EEG changes Cerebral & cardiac SPECT scans 31 P NMR oxidative metab. in muscle hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis Low urinary free-cortisol (cf. depression) Blunted ACTH response to CRH Increased Synacthen response
Evidence for Treatment of CFS
Beneficial Pacing / Graded Exercise Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Unknown Antidepressants on their own Corticosteroids / Thyroxine / HRT Dietary supplements, Melatonin ?NADH?
Homeopathy (recent promising trial) Acupuncture / osteopathy / massage
Homeopathy and CFS
Two interesting cases of mine Older woman in our PCT seen privately Young violinist seen at RLHH Some preliminary evidence for homeopathic approach
CFS – A Team approach
RLHH team led by Dr Jenkins
Clinician, Nurse specialist Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist Dietitian ….not yet ..Autogenic Trainer / Cognitive Therapist
Our PCT Bid for a local team
Lifestyle Management (LSM)
Role of the Nurse Specialist, based on CBT / Graded Exercise/ Pacing 6 x 1hr appointments (approx. monthly) Pacing advice Activity diaries and scheduling Energy conservation Relaxation Management of sleep problems Longer term target setting Coping with setbacks
Patient assessment of Treatment Strategies
(RLHH small study of 20 patients) Treatment Lifestyle Manage.
Worst << % 0 < % 0 Same 0 % 8.7
> % Best >> % 34.8 56.5
N/A % 0 Homeopathy Antidepressants Exclusion diet 0 0 0 5 25 9.5
35 0 19
35 25 25 20
0 20
14.3 14.3
42.9
Work & social adjustment Scale and CFS (RLHH)
36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 (.026) (.036) Base Post LSM 1 year
Patients with CFS Nutritional assessment
Low intakes Ca, Fe, Zn, Vit. D lower RBC Mg, serum Zn, Vit B1 adequate Mg intakes with low RBC Mg
CFS: Supplements
Zinc? Everybody probably low Magnesium? No evidence Vit B12, folate? Poor evidence Vitamins B1, B2, B6? some evidence EFA? Some evidence Anti-oxidants? Some evidence NADH? Little evidence Co-Enzyme Q10 ??
CFS: Multi-interventions
For supplements alone One positive RCT One RCT negative study, positive trend For RCT of multi-pronged of individualised Rx v placebos ..positive outcome on QoL scores Mixed group of CFS and fibromyalgia Hormones, multivitamins / minerals + Magnesium Targeted extra supplements Antidepressants, sedatives, herbal treatments
CFS Organisations
Westcare UK Residential, 155 Whiteladies Road, clifton, Bristol. Tel 0117 923 9341 ME Association 4 Corrington Rd, Stanford-le-hope Essex Tel 01375 642466 Action for ME, PO Box 1302, Wells Somerset Tel 01749 670799 National ME Centre Harold Wood Hospital Harold Wood Romford Essex Association of Youth for ME PO Box 605 Milton Keynes Tel 01908 373300 Tymes 9 Patching Hall Lane Chelmsford Essex Tel 01245 263482
Information for Presentation
Task force report on CFS / ME September 1998. A report of the CFS / ME working group. CMO Jan 2002 Effective Health Care. Interventions for the management of CFS / ME University of York NHS Centre for reviews and dissemination Proposal for a West Herts Adult CFS Service. (April 2002) Guidance on the management of C.F.S / M.E. (for GPS) Action for M.E. PO Box 1302, Wells, Somerset.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ..the facts Oxford university Press 2000 Dr Weatherly-Jones PhD Randomised controlled triple blind study of efficacy of homeopathic treatment for C.F.S. (MRC Grant) proceedings of ISHTAC Conference 2001 Philadelphia Awdry R . Homeopathy may help ME. Int Journal Alternat Complement Med 1996. 14: 12 – 16