Treating chronic fatigue Syndrome: A study into the scientific evidence for pharmacological treatments
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Author(s)
Kreijkamp-Kaspers, Sanne
Brenu, Ekua Weba
Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya
Staines, Donald
van Driel, Mieke L.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2011
Metadata
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Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS), is a severe disabling condition. Patients with CFS usually trial many different medicines, both conventional and complementary. An overview of the pharmacological treatments used by CFS patients and the available evidence underpinning the use of these treatments would be of great value to both patients and their healthcare providers. Methods: Ninety-four CFS patients recruited into an Australian study investigating immunological biomarkers filled out a questionnaire assessing the medicines they were taking. Evidence from randomised clinical trials ...
View more >Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS), is a severe disabling condition. Patients with CFS usually trial many different medicines, both conventional and complementary. An overview of the pharmacological treatments used by CFS patients and the available evidence underpinning the use of these treatments would be of great value to both patients and their healthcare providers. Methods: Ninety-four CFS patients recruited into an Australian study investigating immunological biomarkers filled out a questionnaire assessing the medicines they were taking. Evidence from randomised clinical trials was sought in biomedical databases. Results: The 94 CFS patients used 474 different medicines and supplements. The most commonly used medicines were antidepressants, analgesics, sedatives, and B vitamins. We identified 20 randomised controlled trials studying these medicines in CFS patients. Conclusion: While conventional and complementary medicines are widely used by CFS patients, the evidence for effectiveness in CFS is very limited.
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View more >Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS), is a severe disabling condition. Patients with CFS usually trial many different medicines, both conventional and complementary. An overview of the pharmacological treatments used by CFS patients and the available evidence underpinning the use of these treatments would be of great value to both patients and their healthcare providers. Methods: Ninety-four CFS patients recruited into an Australian study investigating immunological biomarkers filled out a questionnaire assessing the medicines they were taking. Evidence from randomised clinical trials was sought in biomedical databases. Results: The 94 CFS patients used 474 different medicines and supplements. The most commonly used medicines were antidepressants, analgesics, sedatives, and B vitamins. We identified 20 randomised controlled trials studying these medicines in CFS patients. Conclusion: While conventional and complementary medicines are widely used by CFS patients, the evidence for effectiveness in CFS is very limited.
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Journal Title
Australian Family Physician
Volume
40
Issue
11
Copyright Statement
© 2011 Australian Family Physician. Reproduced with permission. Permission to reproduce must be sought from the publisher, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Subject
Clinical sciences
Clinical sciences not elsewhere classified