[Prevalence of atopy in chronic fatigue syndrome].
BACKGROUND
Several hypotheses have been postulated to explain the etiopathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Among these, immunologic dysfunction has been proposed. Up to 30 % of these patients have a history of allergic disease. The aim of this study was to investigate whether allergic sensitization is higher in patients with CFS than in the general population.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients with CFS and 20 controls were evaluated. A clinical history for allergy was taken and immediate hypersensitivity tests were performed.


RESULTS
Twelve patients (48 %) and eight controls (40 %) had a family history of atopy. Personal histories of atopy were as follows: rhinoconjunctivitis: 12 patients (48 %), seven controls (35 %); asthma: five patients (20 %), two controls (10 %); food allergy: three patients (12 %); atopic dermatitis: two patients; contact dermatitis: two patients. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in any of the variables (p > 0.05). In the CSF group, 3.4 % (15/441) of the inhalant prick tests were positive, and in the control group 3.8 % (16/420) were positive. None of the tests for hypersensitivity to food or latex were positive.


CONCLUSIONS
In our study atopy was not more prevalent in patients with CFS than in healthy controls, although the CSF group tended to report more respiratory symptoms and drug allergies.
Ferré Ybarz
L
L
Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. laiafy@vodafone.es
Cardona Dahl
V
V
Cadahía García
A
A
Ruiz
E
E
Vázquez
A
A
Fernández de Sevilla
T
T
Alegre Martín
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D015897:Comorbidity; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018448:Models, Immunological; D015995:Prevalence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012882:Skin Tests; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens