Is fibromyalgia equivalent to major depression?

Abstract

s from C-L Forum Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is an infrequent malformation of the central (nervous system that appears to be closely linked with failure to develop local limbic structures, both derived embryogenetically from the same formation (Lamina terminalis) and frequently reported in association with other malformations of the nervous system. From a fp the psychosis appeared at a mean age of 15. These features were observed in 18 of the 31 individuals older than 15. As the 33 others were younger, their clinical evolution is as yet unknown. Ten of 18 had a partial or total ACC; its presence or absence was unrelated to the clinical course. We suggest that the psychotic syndrome could be due to limbic malformations associated with the commissural defect and that its onset at adolescence or early adulthood supports the Weinberger hypothesis of a congenital brain lesion clinically silent until the critical period of vulnerability brought on by adolescence. Is Fibromyalgia Equivalent to Major Depression? Douglas H. Finestone East Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville, NC This pilot study sought to determine if fibromyalgia patients suffer from major depression. Fibromyalgia is a chronic, nonarticular rheumatic syndrome characterized by generalized aches or stiffness, and accompanied by specific anatomical sites of tenderness. Fibromyalgia patients frequently complain of fatigue, diminished concentration, and poor sleep. We studied 15 inpatients with incapacitating fibromyalgia for evidence of major depression. The mean patient age was 42, 87% were female, 93% were white, and 80% were married. Two-factor Hollingshead SES ratings averaged 3.5. Twenty-seven percent of patients had a DSM-III diagnosis of major depression; two other patients (13%) had a past history of major depression. SCL-90-R depression subscale scores were significantly elevated in 40% of patients; MMPI depression subscale scores were greater than 70 in 53% of patients. Twenty percent of patients had Carroll Depression Scale scores consistent with severe depression. All lab data were obtained after at least a 2-week drug washout period. Overnight polysomnograms displayed at least moderate evidence of major depression in 20% of patients. Four of 10 patients (40%) for whom 3 and 9 p.m. samples were drawn had a positive DST. Mean platelet (‘H)-imipramine receptor density (Bh,.,,) in 11 patients (1091.74) did not differ significantly from 11 ageand sex-matched normal control subjects (1043.00), but did differ significantly (p less than 0.01) from 11 ageand sex-matched patients with DSM-III major depression (554.89). Our preliminary findings support the clinical impression that depressive symptoms are common in fibromyalgia patients. Our results do not support fibromyalgia to be equivalent to major depression. Psychological Prognostic Factors in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Long-Term Follow-up N. Fisman, M.T. Santarelli, S. Pavlovsky, G. Garay GATLA (Grupo Argentina de Tratamiento de la Leucemia Aguda) Psychosocial Area, city, state, country The objective of this study was to ascertain whether acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients (ALL PTS) with good psychological prognosis (GPP) achieved a longer survival (SV) period than those with poor psychological prognosis (WI’), and if there is any relation between organic and psychological prognosis features. Ninety-five MS belonging to six consecutive ALL GATLA treatment protocols were psychologically evaluated through individual and family interview and projective techniques administered during induction period, without knowing the medical prognosis (MI’). Items scored were ego strength, defense pattern, preferential area of expression of conflicts, diseases suffered, disease and death throughout life, changes and losses. Total items were 14; each positive was scored 1 and each negative was scored 2. Fifty-four PTS scored 5 20 as PPP. The probability of complete remission (CR), event-free survival (EFS), and SV at 150 months is as follows: