FINE trial Randomised controlled trial of nurse-led self-help treatment for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome Checklist for GPs identifying patients with CFS/ME: Patients may be identified by the GP through review of medical records, or when seen

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FINE trialRandomised controlled trial of
nurse-led self-help treatment for patients with
chronic fatigue syndromeChecklist for GPs
identifying patients with CFS/MEPatients may
be identified by the GP through review of medical
records, or when seen during routine surgeries.

• BOX 1
• Patients MUST currently be reporting FATIGUE
• which is the principal symptom
• which is of definite onset and not lifelong
• which is severe and disabling and significantly
  interferes with their ability to take part in
  work and/or social activities
• which affects both physical and mental
  functioning
• (eg. concentration problems)
• and which has been present for 6 months or more,
  during which it has been present for at least 50
  of the time.

• BOX 2
• Patients should NOT be included if their fatigue
  can be explained by any established medical
  condition known to produce chronic fatigue eg.
• an active medical condition, e.g. untreated
  hypothyroidism, sleep apnoea, anaemia
• recognised side effects of medication
• a previously diagnosed medical condition whose
  resolution has not been documented beyond
  reasonable doubt, e.g. a previously treated
  malignancy or unresolved hepatitis B or C virus
  infections
• alcohol or other substance abuse
• severe obesity (BMI gt45)
• It is often helpful to exclude other medical
  conditions using the following tests
• FBC, ESR, UEs, TFTs, LFTs, Random blood glucose,
  Urine dipstix

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