The results obtained suggest that mirtazapine may be promising method of FS treatment. Further double-blind placebo-controlled studies are required to confirm these results.

We report on the case of female patient with chronic dysthymia, who took moclobemide at 300 mg/day throughout her first pregnancy. The course of pregnancy was healthy, and natural delivery was uneventful. The psychomotoric and somatic development of the child within first 14 months of life has been normal.

Low-dose interferon-alpha is a standard therapy for hepatitis C. Psychotic disorders have been described as a rare complication of such treatments that resolve with its termination. Here, we present a patient without significant risk factors for interferon-alpha-induced serious mental disorders who developed a psychotic disorder with a cognitive impairment achieving the level of dementia after seven months of interferon-alpha therapy. The disturbances have persisted for three years despite cessation of interferon and introduction of antipsychotic treatment. The possibility of severe neuropsychiatric adverse effects of interferon-alpha therapy in a susceptible individual may necessitate regular psychiatric consultations during the treatment.

Results Patients with FM reported a mean pain score of 7.0 (+1.3) and mean sleep quality score of 6.5(+1.7) on the 0-10 point scale. Over 95% of patients selected the descriptors aching, tender and tiring-exhausting. The mean pain score as measured by the VAS of the SF-MPQ was 74.8(+14.2) on the 0-100 point scale. The mean number of tender points was 17.1(+1.5) of 18 possible; the mean Tender Point Pain Intensity Score (0-10 point scale) was 6.1(+1.8), while control point mean pain severity was 2.0(+1.9). Conclusion Patients with FM reported a moderate to severe level of pain and sleep disturbance. Pain severity was consistently reported across the three measures of pain, the daily pain diary, the VAS, and the Tender Point Pain Intensity Score. Nearly all patients consistently described their pain as tender, aching and tiring-exhausting. Additional studies need to be completed to characterise further the pain and sleep disturbance prevalent in patients with FM, and to assess and define other symptoms involved in the FM syndrome (see companion abstract by Sesti, et al.).