![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2012, at 21:34:39
Well this sure is interesting.
Medscape Medical News from:
The American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting
This coverage is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the American Psychiatric Association.
From Medscape Medical News > Psychiatry
Chronic Lyme Disease Linked to ADHD in Adults
Megan Brooks
Authors and Disclosures
May 8, 2012 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Chronic lyme disease (CLD) has been linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, new research shows.
"The association between ADHD and CLD has not been identified previously," principal investigator Joel L. Young, MD, medical director, Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, told Medscape Medical News. The survey results also corroborate earlier findings of a relationship between CLD and anxiety and depression, he said.
Dr. Joel Young
Dr. Young presented his research here at the American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting.
Participants for the survey were drawn from the 2009 Michigan Lyme Disease Association Conference. A total of 58 adults with CLD and a control group of 26 adults without CLD participated. The mean age was 48 to 49 years in both groups.
On the AD/HD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), adults with CLD endorsed more ADHD symptoms than control participants. Results were significant for both inattentive and hyperactive subunits and the combined type, Dr. Young reported.
Table: ASRS Subscale Scores by GroupASRS Subscale
Lyme Group
Control Group
P Value
Inattentive type
11.6
7.2
<.0001
Hyperactive/Impulsive
21.6
14.1
<.0001
Combined
33.0
21.7
.0001
Novel Finding
"Cognitive deficits associated with CLD have been demonstrated before," Dr. Young said, "although this is the first survey to identify a linkage between these two conditions."
As expected, the CLD group had statistically significantly higher scores on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) than the control group. The CLD group also had "dramatically higher" rates of dysthymia, generalized anxiety, major depression, and somatization.
Dr. Young said the correlation between ADHD and CLD "is novel in the research literature. Symptoms of CLD include persistent fatigue and unexplainable generalized pain. We conclude that many individuals who are diagnosed with CLD might have ADHD (inattentive type). We believe that many are diagnosed with CLD inaccurately and that ADHD symptoms might better explain their persistent pain and fatigue," he added.
Dr. Young emphasized that there is currently "little consensus about the validity of CLD. Most clinicians agree that there is a phenomenon of acute Lyme disease, but there is no consensus about whether it is a chronic condition. I believe that patients who have these symptoms often get the diagnosis of CLD because there is no other explanation for their chronic fatigue and pain."
"Many times," Dr. Young added, "the neuropsychiatric complications associated with CLD are the most problematic for individuals. My research indicates that individuals with CLD should be evaluated for ADHD. It is unclear if treating ADHD will help these individuals' symptoms of pain and fatigue."
Interpret With Caution
Commenting on the study for Medscape Medical News, Brian Fallon, MD, MPH, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center, Columbia University, New York City, cautioned against drawing any firm conclusions from this survey. Surveys are "notorious for elevating psychiatric complaints," he said.
"Most carefully conducted neurocognitive studies have identified problems with memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency in Lyme patients and not attention problems. Attention problems are primarily seen in depression," added Dr. Fallon, who was not involved in the study.
Dr. Young is the author of the book ADHD Grown Up: A Guide to Adolescent and Adult ADHD (W.W. Norton, 2009). He has disclosed relationships with Cyberonics Inc, Eli Lily, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Shire, Forest, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb Co, and Shionogi Inc. Dr. Fallon has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.The American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting. Abstract NR8-30. Presented May 8, 2012.
Posted by bleauberry on June 2, 2012, at 14:26:10
In reply to APA Chronic Lymes May Be ADHD Dr Fallon, posted by Phillipa on June 1, 2012, at 21:34:39
I can personally relate to this very well. I do not think I have ADHD but my doc has told me for several years I do. Ritalin happens to be one of the few meds somewhat friendly and helpful to me, so the ADHD CLD thing makes sense to me. I'm sure it is not like that with everyone in the CLD group but I bet it is common.
> Well this sure is interesting.
>
>
> Medscape Medical News from:
>
> The American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting
>
>
> This coverage is not sanctioned by, nor a part of, the American Psychiatric Association.
>
>
> From Medscape Medical News > Psychiatry
>
> Chronic Lyme Disease Linked to ADHD in Adults
>
> Megan Brooks
>
> Authors and Disclosures
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> May 8, 2012 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Chronic lyme disease (CLD) has been linked to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, new research shows.
>
> "The association between ADHD and CLD has not been identified previously," principal investigator Joel L. Young, MD, medical director, Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, told Medscape Medical News. The survey results also corroborate earlier findings of a relationship between CLD and anxiety and depression, he said.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dr. Joel Young
>
>
> Dr. Young presented his research here at the American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting.
>
> Participants for the survey were drawn from the 2009 Michigan Lyme Disease Association Conference. A total of 58 adults with CLD and a control group of 26 adults without CLD participated. The mean age was 48 to 49 years in both groups.
>
> On the AD/HD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), adults with CLD endorsed more ADHD symptoms than control participants. Results were significant for both inattentive and hyperactive subunits and the combined type, Dr. Young reported.
>
>
>
> Table: ASRS Subscale Scores by Group
>
>
>
> ASRS Subscale
>
> Lyme Group
>
> Control Group
>
> P Value
>
>
>
> Inattentive type
>
> 11.6
>
> 7.2
>
> <.0001
>
>
>
> Hyperactive/Impulsive
>
> 21.6
>
> 14.1
>
> <.0001
>
>
>
> Combined
>
> 33.0
>
> 21.7
>
> .0001
>
>
>
>
> Novel Finding
>
> "Cognitive deficits associated with CLD have been demonstrated before," Dr. Young said, "although this is the first survey to identify a linkage between these two conditions."
>
> As expected, the CLD group had statistically significantly higher scores on the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) than the control group. The CLD group also had "dramatically higher" rates of dysthymia, generalized anxiety, major depression, and somatization.
>
> Dr. Young said the correlation between ADHD and CLD "is novel in the research literature. Symptoms of CLD include persistent fatigue and unexplainable generalized pain. We conclude that many individuals who are diagnosed with CLD might have ADHD (inattentive type). We believe that many are diagnosed with CLD inaccurately and that ADHD symptoms might better explain their persistent pain and fatigue," he added.
>
> Dr. Young emphasized that there is currently "little consensus about the validity of CLD. Most clinicians agree that there is a phenomenon of acute Lyme disease, but there is no consensus about whether it is a chronic condition. I believe that patients who have these symptoms often get the diagnosis of CLD because there is no other explanation for their chronic fatigue and pain."
>
> "Many times," Dr. Young added, "the neuropsychiatric complications associated with CLD are the most problematic for individuals. My research indicates that individuals with CLD should be evaluated for ADHD. It is unclear if treating ADHD will help these individuals' symptoms of pain and fatigue."
>
> Interpret With Caution
>
> Commenting on the study for Medscape Medical News, Brian Fallon, MD, MPH, director of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases Research Center, Columbia University, New York City, cautioned against drawing any firm conclusions from this survey. Surveys are "notorious for elevating psychiatric complaints," he said.
>
> "Most carefully conducted neurocognitive studies have identified problems with memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency in Lyme patients and not attention problems. Attention problems are primarily seen in depression," added Dr. Fallon, who was not involved in the study.
>
> Dr. Young is the author of the book ADHD Grown Up: A Guide to Adolescent and Adult ADHD (W.W. Norton, 2009). He has disclosed relationships with Cyberonics Inc, Eli Lily, Novartis, Otsuka, Pfizer, Shire, Forest, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb Co, and Shionogi Inc. Dr. Fallon has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
>
> The American Psychiatric Association's 2012 Annual Meeting. Abstract NR8-30. Presented May 8, 2012.
>
Posted by Phillipa on June 2, 2012, at 21:01:17
In reply to Re: APA Chronic Lymes May Be ADHD Dr Fallon, posted by bleauberry on June 2, 2012, at 14:26:10
Blue no idea but interesting. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.