title: Treating chronic fatigue syndrome - a study into the scientific evidence for pharmacological treatments.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While conventional and complementary medicines are widely used by CFS patients, the evidence for effectiveness in CFS is very limited.
authors: Academic General Practice, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland. skreijka@bond.edu.au
authors: Sanne
authors: S
authors: Kreijkamp-Kaspers
authors: Ekua Weba
authors: EW
authors: Brenu
authors: Sonya
authors: S
authors: Marshall
authors: Don
authors: D
authors: Staines
authors: Mieke L
authors: ML
authors: Van Driel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult