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 .
Evaluating the complaint of fatigue in primary care: diagnoses and outcomes.
PURPOSE This case series describes associated diagnoses and prognoses of persistent fatigue in a community-based , primary care population . PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients presenting to a private practice internist with a chief complaint of fatigue of more than 1 month 's duration were prospect ively evaluated with clinical ly directed examination and diagnostic testing .  Patients were excluded if they had a previously diagnosed illness associated with fatigue . Fatigue was attributed to newly established diagnoses or medication use based on explicit criteria . Change in the state of each patient 's fatigue was measured 6 months after entry . RESULTS Fifty-two consecutive patients entered the study . The diagnoses associated with fatigue were a medical disorder in 25 patients , depression in 10 patients , and no definitive diagnosis in 18 patients . The mean cost of diagnostic testing was $ 131 . At 6 months , 37 of 52 patients ( 72 % ) reported improvement in or resolution of their fatigue . CONCLUSION In a primary care setting , many patients presenting with persistent fatigue have an associated , treatable disease that can be determined using a cost-effective , clinical ly directed approach . Most will experience an improvement in their 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 .