Kentfield, CA psychiatrist Stephen Raffle, MD has delivered expert testimony in numerous cases involving matters in employment law, civil law, and conservatorships. In addition, Dr. Raffle and his associates have conducted mental health evaluations to investigate the presence of psychopathology in individuals complaining of chronic pain conditions.
Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder, may be worsened by psychological factors such as stress. The relationship between fibromyalgia and stress has led to the opinion by some that fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic disorder. While the physiological causes of fibromyalgia remain little understood and no laboratory test exists at this time that provides a definitive diagnosis, recent studies have demonstrated that certain blood tests may improve the ability to diagnose the disorder. A study led by Kevin Hackshaw, MD, an associate professor of rheumatology and immunology at Ohio State’s College of Medicine, analyzed blood samples from patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and other disorders which have similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lupus.1 Each sample was evaluated using a vibrational spectroscopy technique that can produce a metabolic fingerprint based on the energy levels in a molecule. Findings suggested that the blood of fibromyalgia patients had specific molecular patterns that were clearly distinct from the other disorders. An accurate metabolic test will reduce misdiagnosis and aid in the development of targeted treatments. Dr. Hackshaw and his research team hope to replicate the findings in a larger sample of patients and develop a reliable diagnostic test that can definitively diagnose fibromyalgia within the next five years.2 1 Hacksaw, Kevin V., et al., Metabolic Fingerprinting for Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Other Rheumatologic Disorders, published under license by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. (December 6, 2018) 2 Weyrich, Lydia, Ohio State Researchers Develop Definitive Test for Fibromyalgia, The Lantern (April 4, 2019): https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/ohio-state-researchers-develop-definitive-test-for-fibromyalgia/
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An experienced psychiatrist, Dr. Stephen Raffle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in physiology from the University of California - Berkeley and an MD from the Chicago Medical School. Dr. Stephen Raffle operates a private practice in Kentfield, CA, where he provides forensic medical opinions on civil and criminal legal cases by report and testimony. Dr. Raffle is a member of several professional organizations that include the American Medical Association (AMA), American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), and American Psychiatric Association (APA). The APA serves as the voice of modern psychiatry and advocates for humane care and effective treatment for those suffering from mental illnesses. Currently, the APA includes nearly 38,000 members who benefit from a range of professional services. The organization's annual event, which is next scheduled for May 18-22 in San Francisco, features in-depth training workshops, an inpatient zone focused on clinical technology, and an exhibition hall, as well as a networking platform for psychiatry professionals from over fifty countries to connect. For additional information on the 2019 APA Annual Meeting, visit www.psychiatry.org. |
AuthorExperienced Kentfield, CA, Psychiatrist Stephen Raffle, MD. Archives
June 2019
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