Pooling was not appropriate for CFS.In studies with control groups of patients without the symptom of tiredness , prevalence of somatic disease was identical to those complaining of tiredness .
Depression , however , was more frequent among those with tiredness .
Conclusions Serious somatic disease is rare in patients complaining of tiredness .
Since prevalence is similar in patients without tiredness , the association may not be causal .
Background Tiredness is one of the most frequent complaints in primary care .
Although often self-limiting and frequently associated with psychosocial stress , patients but also their physicians are often uncertain regarding a serious cause and appropriate diagnostic work-up .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of studies reporting on differential diagnosis of fatigue in primary care .
Chief complaint fatigue: a longitudinal study from the patient's perspective.
Fatigue is one of the 10 most common reasons for visiting a physician . Yet little is known about its course or impact , from the patient 's perspective , on quality of life or utilization of medical care . The Dartmouth COOP Project , a primary care research network , conducted a one-year prospect i ve study comparing chief complaint fatigue ( CCF ) patients with two age/sex matched comparison groups ( N = 243 ) . Results show that almost 67 % of the CCF patients improved over one year ; however , they had much higher utilization rates and substantial limitations in physical and emotional function . Fatigue was associated with physical symptoms and interference with many aspects of daily life . We conclude that fatigue has a powerful , adverse effect on quality of life . We hope the findings may help physicians to better underst and and treat patients who seek care for fatigue
Pooling was not appropriate for CFS.In studies with control groups of patients without the symptom of tiredness , prevalence of somatic disease was identical to those complaining of tiredness .
Depression , however , was more frequent among those with tiredness .
Conclusions Serious somatic disease is rare in patients complaining of tiredness .
Since prevalence is similar in patients without tiredness , the association may not be causal .
Background Tiredness is one of the most frequent complaints in primary care .
Although often self-limiting and frequently associated with psychosocial stress , patients but also their physicians are often uncertain regarding a serious cause and appropriate diagnostic work-up .
We conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of studies reporting on differential diagnosis of fatigue in primary care .