Behan P O, Behan W M, Horrobin D
Department of Neurology, University of Glasgow, Scotland.
Acta Neurol Scand. 1990 Sep;82(3):209-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1990.tb04490.x.
Sixty-three adults with the diagnosis of the postviral fatigue syndrome were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of essential fatty acid therapy. The patients had been ill for from one to three years after an apparently viral infection, suffering from severe fatigue, myalgia and a variety of psychiatric symptoms. The preparation given contained linoleic, gamma-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids and either it, or the placebo, was given as 8 x 500 mg capsules per day over a 3-month period. The trial was parallel in design and patients were evaluated at entry, one month and three months. In consultation with the patient the doctors assessed overall condition, fatigue, myalgia, dizziness, poor concentration and depression on a 3-point scale. The essential fatty acid composition of their red cell membrane phospholipids was analysed at the first and last visits. At 1 month, 74% of patients on active treatment and 23% of those on placebo assessed themselves as improved over the baseline, with the improvement being much greater in the former. At 3 months the corresponding figures were 85% and 17% (p less than 0.0001) since the placebo group had reverted towards the baseline state while those in the active group showed continued improvement. The essential fatty acid levels were abnormal at the baseline and corrected by active treatment. There were no adverse events. We conclude that essential fatty acids provide a rational, safe and effective treatment for patients with the post-viral fatigue syndrome.
63名被诊断为病毒感染后疲劳综合征的成年人参与了一项关于必需脂肪酸疗法的双盲、安慰剂对照研究。这些患者在明显的病毒感染后已患病1至3年，患有严重疲劳、肌痛和各种精神症状。所给予的制剂含有亚油酸、γ-亚麻酸、二十碳五烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸，在3个月的时间里，每天将其或安慰剂作为8粒500毫克的胶囊服用。该试验采用平行设计，在入组时、1个月和3个月时对患者进行评估。医生与患者协商后，以3分制评估总体状况、疲劳、肌痛、头晕、注意力不集中和抑郁情况。在首次和末次就诊时分析他们红细胞膜磷脂的必需脂肪酸组成。在1个月时，接受活性治疗的患者中有74%、接受安慰剂治疗的患者中有23%自我评估较基线有所改善，前者的改善程度要大得多。在3个月时，相应的数据分别为85%和17%（p<0.0001），因为安慰剂组已恢复到基线状态，而活性组的患者仍在持续改善。基线时必需脂肪酸水平异常，活性治疗使其得到纠正。未发生不良事件。我们得出结论，必需脂肪酸为病毒感染后疲劳综合征患者提供了一种合理、安全且有效的治疗方法。
