title: Depressive state and chronic fatigue in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.
abstract: Depression and chronic fatigue are frequently present in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, the prevalence rates have not been investigated in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Thirty-nine consecutive NMO and 75 MS patients were compared using self-rating questionnaires for depressive states, daily activity, and fatigue, as well as serum carnitine levels. A subgroup of patients with low carnitine levels were re-evaluated regarding depression and fatigue after levocarnitine treatment. Depression and fatigue were equally prevalent in MS and NMO and were strongly correlated with one another. Measurement of the serum carnitine levels and the administration of levocarnitine did not appear to be beneficial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akaishi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nakashima
authors.affiliation: Department of Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Misu
authors.affiliation: Department of Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujihara
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Masashi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aoki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002331:Carnitine / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D011239:Prednisolone; D002331:Carnitine
keywords: Carnitine; Depression; Fatigue; Levocarnitine; Neuromyelitis optica