Deadline for comments on the new draft is Tuesday 31 July 2001.

Membership of the Working Group

Acknowledgements

Preface

Clinical overview

• Diagnosis of CFS
• Management
• FAQs: Questions frequently asked of doctors by people with CFS

1    What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

• Summary
• The spectrum of fatigue states
• What is CFS?
• What other names are commonly used for CFS?
• How common is CFS?
• Who is at risk of CFS?
• What is the cost of CFS to the community?

2    How should people with fatigue be evaluated?

• Summary
• What is "fatigue"?
• How should a doctor evaluate fatigue?
• What psychological evaluation is required?
• How should the context of the illness be assessed?
• What laboratory tests are appropriate?
• Does chronic fatigue overlap with other illnesses?
• When should a doctor seek another opinion?
• What are the expectations in medicolegal assessments of people with CFS?
• What are the benefits of a diagnosis of CFS?
• What drawbacks can occur as a consequence of a diagnosis of CFS?

3    What is the natural history of prolonged fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome?

• Summary
• What is the outcome of fatigue states?
• What factors may delay recovery?
• Does the doctor-patient relationship affect the outcome of CFS?

4    How should people with CFS be managed?

• Summary
• What are the principles of managing people with CFS?
• What are the expectations of a treatment trial for CFS?
• What drug treatments for CFS have been evaluated?
• Is there a role for behavioural treatment approaches?
• What is the role of sleep management?
• Should a doctor put the person with CFS in contact with support groups?

5    What are the associations of CFS that could explain the disorder?

• Summary
• What are the major research findings in people with CFS?
• What are the gaps in our knowledge and priorities for future research?

6    How were these clinical practice guidelines developed?

7    Bibliography

8    Australian CFS patient support groups

Next...     Clinical Overview