Clinical and psychological characteristics and quality of life in teenagers with а long-lasting low-grade fever both associated and not associated with hypothalamic syndrome

Abstract

Aim. To describe clinical and psychological characteristics and quality of life in teenagers with a long-lasting low-grade fever associated with hypothalamic syndrome. Methods. Life history, objective status were assessed, clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations were performed, quality of life and psychological status were estimated throughout the study. Clinical and laboratory investigations included complete blood count, urinalysis, stool examination; blood immunochemistry for mycoplasma, chlamydia, herpes virus, cytomegalovirus; blood biochemistry; bacteriology of nose and the pharynx swabs. Instrumental investigations included skull and cervical spine X-Ray, neurophysiological examinations (electroencephalography, echoencephalography, rheoencephalography), cranial and cervical blood vessels ultrasonography. The quality of life was estimated using special pediatric questionnaires (proposed by Molchanova L.F., Izhevsk State Medical Academy). Psychological status was assessed by questionnaires of H. Eysenck (temperament assessment) and C.D. Spielberg (research of personal and situation anxiety). Results. All teenagers underwent a complex treatment according to diagnosis, including antimicrobial treatment in case of chronic infections, antimicrobial treatment and immunostimulators in case of upper and lower airway infections caused by chlamydia and mycoplasma, correction of functional conditions of central nervous system (nootropics, vasoactive drugs, diuretics, anxiolytics, metabolic medications, hypotensives), massages, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, herbal treatment. After the course of treatment relapse of low-grade fever was 4-fold more often in teenagers with hypothalamic syndrome compared to those without. Teenagers with low-grade fever associated with hypothalamic syndrome had higher rates of melancholy, higher anxiety levels, leading to significant alterations of physical and mental health. Those changes may lead to mental and social adaptation problems, borderline social and family behavior, and increased rate of psychosomatic diseases. Conclusion. As it was revealed that relapsing low-grade fever might lead to reduced quality of life, further exacerbations of borderline mental problems, aggravate mental adaptation and social and family behavior problems, these teenagers require family and individual mental therapy, repeated treatment with nootropics, vasoactive drugs, diuretics, anxiolytics.