Article from Medscape March 13, 2018
Mast Cell Activation May Underlie 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) may be an overlooked yet potentially treatable contributor to the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), say physicians who specialize in ME/CFS and its manifestations.
The subject was discussed during a 2-day clinician summit held March 2 to 3, 2018.
From article:
Kaufman first learned about MCAS about 5 years ago from a patient who introduced him to the published work of mast cell expert Lawrence Afrin, MD. "I spoke to him and then I started looking for it, and the more I looked, the more I found it," Kaufman said, estimating that he has identified MCAS in roughly half his patients who meet ME/CFS criteria.
From article:
Another panel member, New York City ME/CFS specialist Susan M. Levine, MD, also said she sees MCAS frequently. "I suspect 50% to 60% of ME/CFS patients have it. It's a very new concept."
From article:
Kaufman said that initially after he learned about MCAS, he would only run the laboratory tests in patients with suggestive clinical history, such as food sensitivities/triggers, rashes, hives, temperature intolerance, or chemical sensitivities. "But ultimately, I had patients [for whom] I couldn't figure out what was going on; I would check, and started finding positives in patients I wasn't suspicious of."
So, now he just tests for it in all his patients with ME/CFS. "It's bigger than allergy,"
Link to Medscape, requires registration:
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/893858
Article is also on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/cfs/comments/84nw0x/mast_cell_activation_may_underlie_chronic_fatigue/
Mast Cell Activation May Underlie 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'
SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) may be an overlooked yet potentially treatable contributor to the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), say physicians who specialize in ME/CFS and its manifestations.
The subject was discussed during a 2-day clinician summit held March 2 to 3, 2018.
From article:
Kaufman first learned about MCAS about 5 years ago from a patient who introduced him to the published work of mast cell expert Lawrence Afrin, MD. "I spoke to him and then I started looking for it, and the more I looked, the more I found it," Kaufman said, estimating that he has identified MCAS in roughly half his patients who meet ME/CFS criteria.
From article:
Another panel member, New York City ME/CFS specialist Susan M. Levine, MD, also said she sees MCAS frequently. "I suspect 50% to 60% of ME/CFS patients have it. It's a very new concept."
From article:
Kaufman said that initially after he learned about MCAS, he would only run the laboratory tests in patients with suggestive clinical history, such as food sensitivities/triggers, rashes, hives, temperature intolerance, or chemical sensitivities. "But ultimately, I had patients [for whom] I couldn't figure out what was going on; I would check, and started finding positives in patients I wasn't suspicious of."
So, now he just tests for it in all his patients with ME/CFS. "It's bigger than allergy,"
Link to Medscape, requires registration:
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/893858
Article is also on Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/cfs/comments/84nw0x/mast_cell_activation_may_underlie_chronic_fatigue/
