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Medication use by persons with chronic fatigue syndrome: results of a randomized telephone survey in Wichita Kansas.

Jones JF, Nisenbaum R, Reeves WC.
Medication use by persons with chronic fatigue syndrome: results of a randomized telephone survey in Wichita Kansas
BioMed Central Health Quality of Life Outcomes 2003;1:74

Summary

Persons with CFS utilize a variety of prescribed and non-prescribed medications and supplements to relieve their symptoms and regain pre-illness activity levels. This adds to the direct cost of CFS and many medications may contribute to, rather than alleviate, symptoms. Remarkably, there are few reports of medication use by persons with CFS and most publications describe medication trials. This study utilized information collected from patients with CFS who represent the general population rather than from clinical practices.

Because of the importance and timeliness of these findings for health care professionals, we chose to publish in BioMed Central Health Quality of Life Outcomes. This is an online journal so, if accepted following review by rigorously selected subject matter experts, articles are immediately published and indexed by the National Library of Medicine. In addition, all research articles are "open access" allowing immediate free re-use and re-distribution in any medium provided that the original source is cited and material is not used commercially. This article may be accessed at: http://www.hqlo.com/content/1/1/74.

Abstract

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by profound fatigue and a characteristic symptom complex that substantially interferes with daily activities. Patients use a variety of prescribed and self-administered medications, vitamins, and supplements for relief of their symptoms. The objective of this study was to describe utilization of medications and supplements by persons with CFS and non-fatigued individuals representative of the general population of Wichita, Kansas.

Methods: We used a random-digit dialing telephone survey to identify persons with CFS in the general population of Wichita, Kansas. Subjects who on the basis of telephone interview met the CFS case definition and randomly selected non-fatigued controls were invited for a clinic evaluation that included self-reported use of medications and supplements. Sex-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval were estimated to measure the association between CFS illness and use of each drug category.

Results: We clinically evaluated and classified 90 subjects as CFS during the study and also collected clinical data on 63 who never described fatigue. Subjects with CFS reported using 316 different drugs compared to 157 reported by non-fatigued controls. CFS subjects were more likely to use any drug category than controls (p=0.0009). Pain relievers and vitamins/supplements were the two most common agents listed by both groups. In addition CFS persons were more likely to use pain relievers, hormones, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and gastro-intestinal and central nervous system medications (Sex-adjusted odds ratios range=2.97 - 12.78).

Conclusion: Although the reasons for elevated use of these agents were not elucidated, the data indicate the CFS patients' need for symptom relief and the care professionals' efforts to provide it.

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