Journal of psychosomatic research
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Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is often considered a cardinal symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). There is no gold standard diagnostic method for CFS, however, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Fukuda case definition does not require PEM. Research has identified differences in symptom burden between patients according to PEM, but whether it is associated with psychological distress has not been investigated. ⋯ This study replicates the association between PEM and symptom burden and additionally associates PEM with psychological distress; psychological distress could, however, be a consequence of symptom burden. Differences between hiPEM and loPEM CFS patients highlight the heterogeneity of diagnoses resulting from the Fukuda criteria. It is also possible that PEM identifies particularly distressed patients for whom psychological intervention would be most beneficial.
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To assess subtypes of depressive symptoms and their relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity among CVD risk persons. ⋯ Non-melancholic depressive symptoms seem to increase risk for incident CVD among CVD risk subjects. Considering non-melancholic depressive symptoms might be useful when treating subjects with other CVD risk factors.