Genetic Link to Chronic Fatigue

Genetic link to chronic fatigue
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Unexplained disabling fatigue in childhood is mainly due to genetic inheritance,
a study of twins has revealed. Chronic fatigue in young people can be disabling
and is the main illness-related reason for long absences from school.

A genetic study of twins by researchers in Cardiff University's School of
Medicine (Department of Psychological Medicine) found that although disabling
fatigue and depression occur together, they have different genetic and
environmental causes.

Participants were identified from the University's Cardiff Study of All Wales
and North West of England twins. Parents of 1,468 twins and 930 older twin pairs
took part in the study.

Analysis was undertaken for disabling fatigue of more than one week (short
duration) and more than one month (prolonged).

The study led by Dr Tom Fowler with colleagues at Cardiff University and
Professor Anne Farmer at the Institute of Psychiatry, London, found that 67% of
the influences on short-duration fatigue in children and adolescents are
genetic. The results suggest that prolonged fatigue is also linked to familial
influences.

Dr Fowler, Department of Psychological Medicine said: "Our research found that
the majority of genetic and environmental differences are specific to disabling
fatigue and distinct from depression. This suggests the fatigue states in
children should be considered as valid entities in their own right, and not as
variants of depression."

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(c) 2006 News-Medical.Net
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=19975