Source: Eurekalert
Date: June 15, 2015
URL:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-06/acop-pst060915.php
[Embargoed news from Annals of Internal Medicine]
Two systematic evidence reviews evaluate diagnostic methods and
treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitits/chronic fatigue syndrome
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Diagnosis:
http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0443
Treatment:
http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0114
Editorial:
http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0647
URLs go live when embargo lifts
Up to 2.5 million Americans suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis
(ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a debilitating multisystem
condition characterized by chronic, disabling fatigue and other
symptoms, including pain, sleep disturbance, neurologic and cognitive
changes, motor impairment, and altered immune and autonomic responses.
Because the condition is characterized exclusively by symptoms,
physicians have wondered if the illness is 'real.' Articles published
in this issue of Annals of Internal Medicine suggest that ME/CFS is
prevalent and real. The following reviews were conducted as part of a
larger report to inform a research agenda for the National Institutes
of Health (NIH) 2014 Pathways to Prevention Workshop, which was
established to identify research gaps in selected scientific areas.
No diagnostic methods proven effective for diagnosing ME/CFS
The diagnosis of ME/CFS is based on nine sets of clinical criteria
that attempt to distinguish it from other conditions that also present
with fatigue. Currently, there is no consensus about which, if any, of
these clinical criteria should be considered the reference standard.
Researchers reviewed 44 published studies to evaluate and compare
methods for diagnosing ME/CFS. They found that none of the current
diagnostic methods have been adequately tested to determine how well
they differentiate patients with ME/CFS from patients with other
conditions. The researchers recommend more definitive studies in
broader populations to address the research gaps.
Counseling therapies and graded exercise may improve fatigue and
function in some patients
Patients with ME/CFS experience a broad range of symptoms. Currently
there is no FDA-approved treatment for the condition, but many
medications have been used off-label. Researchers reviewed 35
published studies to determine the benefits and harms of treatments
for adults with ME/CFS. The researchers found limited evidence
indicating that rinatolimod improved measures of exercise performance
compared with placebo in patients with severe debilitation from
ME/CFS. Low to moderate strength evidence showed that counseling,
behavior therapies, and graded exercise therapy improved measures of
fatigue, function, global improvement, and work impairment. The
researchers caution that these treatments have not been adequately
tested in broader patient populations that may meet more specific case
definitions of ME/CFS. More research is needed to evaluate these and
other treatments.
Notes: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Angela Collom at
acollom@acponline.org. To speak with one of the review authors from
Oregon Health & Science University, please contact Tracy Brawley at
brawley@ohsu.edu or 503-494-7009. To reach the author of the
editorial, Dr. Anthony Komaroff, please contact Brigham and Women's
media relations team at
bwhmediarelations@partners.org or 617-525-6370.
###
Media Contact
Angela Collom
acollom@acponline.org
215-351-2653
http://www.acponline.org
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