Date sent:      	Fri, 28 Dec 2001 

Source: http://www.ahmf.org/01mcgregor.html

Abstracts Sydney Conf. (24/35) = McGregor NR et al.
---------------------------------------------

To retrospectively review the available data to develop
a model of the disease processes occurring in CFS.


McGregor NR [1], De Becker P [2], Clifton Bligh P [3], Stein E
[1], Butt HL [1], De Meirleir K [2], Hoskin L [3], Dunstan RH [1],
Fulcher G [3], King K [1], Niblett S [1], Roberts TK [1], Dunsmore
J [3].


Collaborative Pain Research Unit:

1 Bioanalytical Research Group,
Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Newcastle,
Callaghan,
NSW 2308, and
Neurobiology Research Unit
University of Sydney,
Westmead, Australia.;

2 Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vakgroep Interne Geneeskunde
KRO gebouw niv.
1, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090
Brussels
Belgium.;

3 Royal North Shore CFS Unit
Royal North Shore Hospital
St Leonards NSW
Australia.


The medical literature and research finding from the three
research groups involved in the presentation were assessed to
develop the model. 

Results: Four factor analysis symptoms
groupings are reported to occur in CFS patients: 1) general
CFS symptoms, 2) cognitive symptoms, 3) musculoskeletal
symptoms, and 4) mood change symptoms (De Becker et al,
2000). 

1)The General CFS symptom group consists of the
symptoms associated with reactivation of viruses, increased
RNaseL fragmentation and infectious symptoms. This group of
symptoms represent the cytokine inducing events or
predominately pathogen associated events. 

2-4)The cognitive,
mood change and musculoskeletal symptoms represent the
hosts response or cytokine-mediated symptoms. This is
supported by the evidence of therapeutic use of cytokines in
treatment of various diseases. In addition to the host based and
viral associated symptom patterns are seen comorbid
conditions such as bacterial induced disease and food
intolerance that in turn induce changes in the host, which
increase morbidity. A model of this complex set of interactions
will be presented. The interaction of host and comorbid disease
needs to be understood when CFS patients are assessed and
treated.


The infective/cytokine initiating symptoms appear associated
with periods of reactivation of the syndrome. The subsequent
cytokine mediated host based responses of cognitive,
musculoskeletal and mood change symptoms are the bodies
response to the syndrome initiators. Reactivation of different
viruses is associated with symptom variation whilst the
occurrence of comorbid infections and disease states increase
patient morbidity.