Liaison Psychiatry 1.3 Flashcards
Prevalence of CFS
0.5%
M:F ratio of CFS
1:3
Who is CFS more common in
Females
Lower occupational status
Lesser educational background
Mean age of onset of CFS
29-35 years
Mean illness duration of CFS
3-9 years
CFS criteria
Persistent or relapsing unexplained chronic fatigue of new onset, lasting at least 6 months and not the result of organic disease or continuing exertion, not alleviated by rest.
Which sx are required for CFS?
Four or more of the following, present for >6 months:
Impaired memory/concentration
Sore throat
Tender cervical/axillary lymph nodes
Muscle pain
Pain in several joints
New headaches
Unrefreshing sleep
Malaise after exterion
Exclusion criteria for CFS
Major psychiatric disorders including psychotic depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, dementia, ED, alcohol or substance abuse.
Does not include non-psychotic disorders.
Predictors of poor outcome of CFS
Claiming a disability related benefit
Low sense of control
Strong focus on physical sx
Being passive with reduced activity
Membership of self-help grous
How many patients with CFS are unable to work?
33%
Which sx of CFS may indicate another serious illness
Significant weight loss
Clinically significant lymphadenopathy
Localising neurological signs
Features of inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disease or cardiorespiratory disease
Sleep apnoea
When does onset of CFS typically occur?
After an episode of viral infection
Predisposing factors of CFS
Neuroticism
Childhood inactivity
Childhood illness
Precipitating factors of CFS
Infectious mononucleosis
Q fever
Lyme disease
Serious life events
Perpetuating factors of CFS
Strong belief in physical cause
Activity-avoidance
Poor self-control
Primary/secondary gains
Low self-perception of cognitive ability
Metabolic findings in patients with CFS
Abnormality in HPA-axis and serotonin pathway suggest altered physiological response to stress.
How many patients with CFS have low cortisol?
33%
What do family studies of CFS suggest?
Mutation of cortisol transporting globulin
Effective treatment of CFS?
CBT
Graded exercise therapy
Components of CBT for CFS
Explanation of aetiological model
Motivation for CBT
Challenging and changing of fatigue related cognition
Achievement and maintenance of basic amount of physical activity
Gradual increase in physical activity
Rehab e.g. rigorous self-monitoring
How long can CBT last for in patients with CFS who initially respond?
5 years
How is timing of treatment important in CFS?
Patients improve if medications are added to CBT but now when CBT is added to medication
What is graded exercise therapy based on?
Physiological model of deconditioning
What is affected by inactivity?
Muscle strength
Autonomic response
Perception of exercise related sensations
What is the aim of graded exercise therapy?
Gradually increase exercise and thus reduce unwanted consequences of inactivity.
Improvement rate of CBT for CFS
70%
Improvement rate of graded exercise therapy for CFS
55%
Antidepressant treatment for CFS
Should not be used
When should antidepressants be considered for CFS?
Depressive sx
What factors must be taken into account if antidepressants are used for CFS?
Polonged inactivity increases risk of autonomic side effects such as postural hypotension
Sedation may worse fatigue
What is pacing?
People with CFS are encouraged to achieve a balance between rest and activity
What is the aim of pacing?
Prevent vicious circle of overactivity and setbacks while setting realistic goals for increasing activity
Disadvantages of pacing
No evidence
May prolong illness by encouraging avoidence
Prognosis of CFS
1-5 years
How many patients improve over 5 years with CFS?
17-65%
How many patients with CFF recover over 5 years?
<10%
How many patients with CFS worsen over 10 years>
10-20%
Mortality of CFS?
Not associated with increased mortality
How many patients with CFS have depression
23%
How many patients with CFS have a history of depression
50-75%
Impact of CFS on CNS
Upregulation of serotonin
What sx does CFS not have which depression does?
Absence of lack of motivation, guilt, anhedonia
HPA axis in CFS
Downregulation
HPA axis in depression
Upregulation
Sleep disturbance in depression
Reduced REM latency
Increased REM density
Lifetime prevalence of panic disorder in those with CFS
17-25%
Lifetime prevalence of GAD in those with CFS
2-30%
Overlapping sx between anxiety and CFS
Decreased cerebral blood flow
Sympathetic overactivity
Sleep abnormalities
Rate of somatisation in CFS
28%
How does examination impact rate of somatisation of CFS?
If examiner attributes sx to physical cause, rate of somatisation decreases and vice versa.
How many patients with fibromyalgia meet criteria for CFS?
20-70%
How many patients with CFS meet criteria for fibromyalgia?
35-70%
Which conditions do sx of CFS overlap with?
Fibromyalgia
Multiple chemical sensitivity
IBS
Temporomandibular joint disorder
What has replaced the diagnostic criteria for pain disorder in DSM IV in DSM V?
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSD)
What is SSD diagnosis made on?
The basis of positive sx and signs rather than absence of a medical explanation for somatic complaints.
What are the positive sx and signs of SSD?
Distressing somatic sx plus abnormal thoughts, feelings and behaviours in response to these sx