'Minor' illness symptoms: the magnitude of their burden and of our ignorance

Article Abstract:

Major illnesses and lethal diseases receive a great deal of attention in the medical literature. However, it is the ''minor'' illnesses that often bring the patient to the doctor's office. More common than minor illnesses are symptoms that could be themselves defined as illnesses. Headaches, fatigue, and sore throat are frequent minor illnesses reported by individuals participating in a recent survey. Minor illnesses can be costly for society, as evidenced by the huge market for over-the-counter remedies. Many patients with minor illnesses obtain little benefit when they interact with the health care system. In an article by Kroenke et al. in the August 1990 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, a study is described that reports on this fact. It is true that often psychosocial impairment can be associated with minor illnesses, especially those where there is no organic basis. These minor illnesses can result in lost productivity and medical expense, but they remain poorly understood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Physician services utilization, editorial

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Chronic fatigue and the chronic fatigue syndrome: prevalence in a Pacific Northwest health care system

Article Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may occur in nearly 7% of the general population. Patients with CFS experience unexplained long-term debilitating fatigue. Additional symptoms include muscle pain, sleep disturbances, sore throat, low-grade fever, and depression. Researchers surveyed 4,000 people with a mail-in questionnaire to determine the prevalence of CFS in the general population. They identified 202 people (6.6%) who met the major criteria for CFS. Only 3 of the 74 people consenting to further study met all of the criteria for CFS. Statistics indicate that CFS may occur in the general population with a frequency of 98 to 267 cases per 100,000 people. All 3 patients with CFS continued to experience symptoms of this syndrome after one year. Twenty-five percent of the 71 patients who reported only chronic fatigue had no symptoms after one year.

Demographic aspects, Chronic fatigue syndrome

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Symptoms: in the head or in the brain?

Article Abstract:

People who have symptoms that appear to have no physical cause may actually have a functional disturbance of the nervous system. Newer imaging technologies may allow doctors to identify this disturbance.

Editorial, Research, Symptomatology, Signs and symptoms

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