CHORNIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Diagnosed after at least 4 months of disabling fatigue affecting mental and physical function more than 50% of the time in the absence of other disease which may explain symptoms

Question 2

epidemiology

Answer 2

females

Question 3

is past psychiatric history a risk factor?

Answer 3

no

Question 4

features

Answer 4

sleep problems, such as insomnia, hypersomnia, unrefreshing sleep, a disturbed sleep-wake cycle

muscle and/or joint pains

headaches

painful lymph nodes without enlargement

sore throat

cognitive dysfunction, such as difficulty thinking, inability to concentrate, impairment of short-term memory, and difficulties with word-finding

physical or mental exertion makes symptoms worse

general malaise or ‘flu-like’ symptoms

dizziness

nausea

palpitations

Question 5

Ix

Answer 5

FBC, U&E, LFT, glucose, TFT, ESR, CRP, calcium, CK, ferritin*, coeliac screening and also urinalysis

Question 6

mx

Answer 6

cbt

grade exercise therapy

pacing

lose dose amitriptyline - sleep

pain management clinic referral

Question 7

prognosis

Answer 7

better in children and young people