Campbell D S, Morris P D, Silver R M
Environmental Epidemiology Section, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh, USA.
South Med J. 1995 Sep;88(9):953-8. doi: 10.1097/00007611-199509000-00013.
In this case-series analysis, of 34 patients originally identified with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), 31 survivors were followed-up by yearly telephone interviews. We ascertained type, duration, and severity of symptoms and whether certain patient characteristics were associated with illness improvement. At a median of 3.6 years after onset, 3 patients (8.8%) had died. Two (5.9%) were well, 7 (20.6%) were improved, and 22 (64.7%) reported either no change or worsening overall condition compared to 1 year prior. Musculoskeletal and neurologic symptoms predominated. The prevalence of several symptoms, including muscle cramps, joint pain, and cognitive symptoms, increased over the course of study. Age, sex, peak eosinophil count, early prednisone use, and usual dose or duration of L-tryptophan use were not associated with significant improvement. We conclude that for the majority of patients, EMS is a chronic illness having a major impact on life-style 3.6 years after onset. The chronic, often worsening pattern of illness suggests an ongoing pathogenetic mechanism.
在这项病例系列分析中，对最初确诊为嗜酸性粒细胞增多性肌痛综合征（EMS）的34例患者进行研究，其中31例幸存者通过每年电话访谈进行随访。我们确定了症状的类型、持续时间和严重程度，以及某些患者特征是否与病情改善相关。发病后中位时间为3.6年时，3例患者（8.8%）死亡。2例（5.9%）情况良好，7例（20.6%）病情改善，22例（64.7%）报告与1年前相比总体状况无变化或恶化。肌肉骨骼和神经症状为主。包括肌肉痉挛、关节疼痛和认知症状在内的几种症状的患病率在研究过程中有所增加。年龄、性别、嗜酸性粒细胞峰值计数、早期使用泼尼松以及L-色氨酸的常用剂量或使用持续时间与显著改善无关。我们得出结论，对于大多数患者而言，EMS是一种慢性病，在发病3.6年后对生活方式有重大影响。这种慢性且往往不断恶化的疾病模式提示存在持续的致病机制。
