BLOOD LACTATE RESPONSE DURING MODERATE EXERCISE IN NEUROCIRCULATORY ASTHENIA, ANXIETY NEUROSIS, OR EFFORT SYNDROME 1

Abstract

The blood lactate conc. during moderate exercise was measured in 61 patients with neurocirculatory asthenia (N.C.A.) anxiety neurosis, effort syndrome and compared with response in 41 healthy control subjects. 42 of the patients had chronic N.C.A. and 19 acute N.C.A. The test consisted of a 15 min. walk on a motor-driven treadmill which is set at 3.5 miles/hr., 8.9%) grade. Specimens of finger blood were collected during the 9th min. of walking and duplicate detns. were done by the method of Edwards. Mean results showed blood lactate conc. during treadmill walk for 42 patients with chronic N.C.A. 44.6 mg./ml. of blood; 19 patients with acute N.C.A. 33.6 mg./ml. of blood; and for 41 healthy controls 21 mg./ml. of blood. These values were statistically significantly different from each other. In the same patients, if the test were repeated on another day, the values for the 1st and 2d test checked closely. Resting blood lactate conc. for the group was within normal limits; there was no correlation in individuals between walking and resting blood lactate conc. Blood lactate conc. is significantly higher in neurocirculatory asthenia during moderate exercise than in controls. The abnormality is greater in chronic N.C.A. than in acute N.C.A. It cannot be stated whether state of training or other factors account for the difference. A chemical abnormality has been demonstrated in neurocirculatory asthenia which fits well with patients'' statements that they cannot keep up with other men in muscular work.