Anxiety disorders: a result of long-term chronic fatigue - the psychiatric characteristics of the sufferers of Iceland disease

Abstract

Objective ‐ In order to clarify the lifetime likelihood of developing psychiatric disorder following the Akureyri disease, we have investigated 55 well documented cases of the Akureyri disease. Materials and methods ‐ All participants were interviewed and diagnosed as to psychiatric disorders according to DSM‐III. Results ‐ Of the 55 subjects included in this analysis 53 were women. The mean age of the participants was 67.7 years. The most common problem was agoraphobia with panic attacks 12.7% (P<0.0001); agoraphobia without panic attacks 21.8% (P<0.0001); social phobia 14.5% (P<0.001); simple phobia 18.1% (P<0.05); schizophrenia 3.6% (P<0.01); and alcohol dependence 5.4% (P<0.05). Conclusion ‐ Prolonged chronic fatigue most commonly results in anxiety disorders. Following the infection, the more serious psychiatric disorders do not seem to play a major role in the long run.