characteristics, disability and long-term sickness absence.
A waterborne outbreak of Giardia lamblia gastroenteritis led to a high =
prevalance of long-lasting fatigue and abdominal symptoms. The aim was =
to describe the clinical characteristics, disability and employmentloss =
in a case series of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) after =
the infection.=20
Methods: Patients who reported persistent fatigue, lowered functional =
capacity and sickness leave or delayed education after a large community =
outbreak of giardiasis enteritis in the city of Bergen, Norway were =
evaluated with the established Centers for Disease Control and =
Prevention criteria for CFS.
Fatigue was self-rated by the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Physical and =
mental health status and functional impairment was measured by the =
Medical Outcome Severity Scale-short Form-36 (SF-36).
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure =
co-morbid anxiety and depression. Inability to work or study because of =
fatigue was determined by sickness absence certified by a doctor.=20
Results: A total of 58 (60%) out of 96 patients with long-lasting =
post-infectious fatigue after laboratory confirmed giardiasis were =
diagnosed with CFS.
In all, 1262 patients had laboratory confirmed giardiasis. At the time =
of referral (mean illness duration 2.7 years) 16 % reported improvement, =
28 % reported no change, and 57 % reported progressive course with =
gradual worsening.
Mean FSS score was 6.6. A distinctive pattern of impairment was =
documented with the SF-36.
The physical functioning, vitality (energy/fatigue) and social =
functioning were especially reduced. Long-term sickness absence from =
studies and work was noted in all patients.=20
Conclusion: After giardiasis enteritis at least 5% developed clinical =
characteristics and functional impairment comparable to previously =
described post-infectious fatigue syndrome.
Author: Halvor Naess Morten Nyland Trygve Hausken Inghild Follestad =
Harald I Nyland
Credits/Source: BMC Gastroenterology 2012, 12:13
Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral =
(Open Access).
http://bit.ly/yDoygW
i.e. =
http://7thspace.com/headlines/405357/chronic_fatigue_syndrome_after_giard=
ia_enteritis_clinical_characteristics_disability_and_long_term_sickness_a=
bsence.html
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/12/13/abstract
full text is still provisional
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