Chronic fatigue and anxiety/depression link
23 January 2002
LONDON By health-newswire.com reporters
Chronic fatigue is associated with both anxiety and depression, although the link is not genetic, according to the authors of a recent study.
Previous research has indicated that between half and
three-quarters of all individuals suffering from fatigue syndromes show evidence
of co-morbid mood or anxiety disorders. It has been suggested that fatigue may
be a cause of anxiety and depression, or may be caused by similar genetic or
environmental factors.
Dr Peter Roy-Byrne and colleagues from the University of Washington in the US
investigated the incidence of fatigue syndromes among 100 female pairs of twins
(69 monozygotic and 31 dizygotic), one of each reporting symptoms of fatigue.
Participants all completed the General Health Questionnaire, underwent a
psychiatric interview and answered detailed questions regarding fatigue in
particular.
The researchers found that depression and anxiety scores were significantly
greater for both mono- and dizygotic twins reporting symptoms of chronic
fatigue. Increased levels of social dysfunction and preoccupation were also
reported in these individuals compared to their non-fatigued sisters.
Dr Roy-Byrne and colleagues concluded that the strong association observed
between fatigue and anxiety/depression is likely to be environmental rather than
genetic.
Writing in the British Journal of Psychiatry, they said, “Prolonged fatigue is
the critical factor in the association of psychological distress with chronic
fatigue. In addition, the absence of a common genetic factor for fatigue and
various domains of psychological distress suggests that the relationship between
fatigue and distress is largely, if not exclusively, environmental.”
Reference: Roy-Byrne et al, British Journal of Psychiatry 2002;180:29-34
© Health Media Ltd 2002
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