Are chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia the same? Implications for the provision of appropriate mental health intervention

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia represent distinct diagnostic entities within both the clinical and research literature. A common feature of both presentations is that they are often accompanied by a significant mental health burden. A further salient feature of both conditions is that there is no consistent consensus on aetiology. Evaluation of the features of each disorder seems to present a convincing case that both disorders may indeed have a common aetiology and further, the possibility exists that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia represent the same underlying disorder. Paradoxically, given this possibility it is remarkable that both patient groups are treated clinically with considerably different approaches to care and management. Mental health practitioners will come into contact with both groups of patients when support for the psychological consequences of diagnosis are necessary; however, many practitioners will be unaware of the debate regarding the aetiological ambiguities surrounding these presentations. The purpose of this review is to highlight the above issues in order to both facilitate awareness of the current aetiological/diagnostic impasse and facilitate provision of optimum mental health support.

Pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: response to rehabilitative treatments in the PACE trial

“…We additionally examined the effects of treatments on fibromyalgia and demonstrated that GET directed at CFS improves outcome for co-morbid fibromyalgia as well as fatigue. CFS and fibromyalgia are similar disorders and commonly co-morbid (McKay et al 2009). That GET is effective when the two co-exist has important clinical ramifications.…”

Niefarmokologiczne metody leczenia fibromialgii / Non-pharmacological treatment of fibromyalgia

“…Iwaniczew podaje, że w populacji rosyjskiej problem ten dotyczy 5,8% społeczeństwa. W USA w 2005 roku odnotowano 5 mln osób powyżej 18 roku życia dotkniętych tą chorobą [1,[4][5][6].…”

“…Analizy te czynione są pod kątem możliwości przystosowania, wykazujących skuteczność, różnych metod niefarmakologicznego leczenia w łagodzeniu objawów psychiatrycznych [6].…”

“…Such analyses take into account the possibilities of adjusting various methods of non-pharmacological treatment in reducing the psychiatric symptoms [6].…”

“…A female to male incidence ratio of FM is approximately 10:1. In the US in 2005 there were 5 million people over the age of 18 suffering from FM [1,[4][5][6].…”