Reduced severity of eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with the consumption of vitamin-containing supplements before illness.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine if the severity of subacute symptoms in eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) was affected by medical history or use of nutritional supplements other than tryptophan before illness.

DESIGN AND STUDY POPULATION:

A case-control study was conducted of EMS cases systematically sampled from all those reported to a statewide surveillance system in California in 1989. Excluding two previous EMS-related deaths, interviews were completed in 73% (57/78) of the eligible case patients sampled.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The severity of any myalgia(s), dyspnea, or walking impairment during each of the first 3 months of EMS was quantified by means of self-reported integer scores ranging from 0 (asymptomatic) to 10 (severe symptoms). Case patients in the top tercile of combined, unweighted monthly scores were defined as having severe symptoms.

RESULTS:

All interviewees (57 of 57) had consumed supplemental tryptophan before illness; 89% (51/57) were female. The odds of severe symptoms were not significantly associated with gender, age, previous antidepressant use, or cumulative amounts of supplemental tryptophan consumed before or after EMS onset (P > .1). Previous consumption of any multivitamin(s), however, was associated with significantly lower odds of severe symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, 0.05; 95% confidence limits, 0.007, 0.4; P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS:

The consumption of multivitamin-containing supplements before EMS appears to have modified the severity of subacute symptoms in this sample of cases from California.

• Authors: D L Hatch, L R Goldman
• Journal: Archives of internal medicine (Arch Intern Med) Vol. 153 Issue 20 Pg. 2368-73 (Oct 25 1993) ISSN: 0003-9926 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8215741 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Vitamins
• Tryptophan

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Aged
• California
• Case-Control Studies
• Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (chemically induced, pathology, prevention & control)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Medical History Taking
• Middle Aged
• Sex Factors
• Tryptophan (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Vitamins (administration & dosage)