Affiliations: [a] Neurological Rehabilitation, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, Wigan, UK | [b] Neurological Rehabilitation, Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, UK | [c] Rehabilitation Medicine, Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, Wigan, UK
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Dr. Tarek Gaber, Consultant in Neurological Rehabilitation, Leigh Infirmary, Leigh, Lancs., WN7 1HS, UK.
Tel.: +44 1942 264515; Fax: +44 1942 264517; E-mail: tgaber@doctors.net.uk
Abstract: Introduction:Fatigue is a major cause of disability and handicap in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. The management of this common problem is often difficult. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) is another common cause of fatigue which is prevalent in the same population of middle aged females commonly affected by MS. Aim:This report aims at examining the potential coexistence of MS and CFS/ME in the same patients. Method:This is a retrospective study examining a cohort of MS patients referred for rehabilitation. The subjects were screened for CFS/ME symptoms. Results:Sixty-four MS patients (43 females) were screened for CFS/ME. Nine patients (14%) with a mean age 52 (SD 9.7) who were all females fulfilled the Fukuda criteria for diagnosis of CFS/ME. Their symptoms, including muscular and joint pain, malaise and recurrent headaches, were not explained by the pattern of their MS. Discussion:MS and CFS/ME are two common conditions with increased prevalence in middle aged females. As the diagnosis of CFS/ME is clinical with no positive clinical signs or investigations; it can be made with difficulty in the presence of another clear explanation for the disabling fatigue. Our results suggest that the two conditions may co-exist. Considering CFS/ME as a potential co-morbidity may lead to more focused and appropriate management.
