General practitioners acceptance of the validity of chronic fatigue syndrome as a diagnosis.

AIM

To identify whether general practitioners accept the validity of a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

METHOD

An anonymous questionnaire was sent out to 98 general practitioners in Otago.

RESULTS

The clinical validity of chronic fatigue syndrome was accepted by 74 (90%); 57 believed they had sufficient knowledge about the condition to make a differential diagnosis; 72 indicated they had had patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in the past; 62 currently had patients; there is a minimum prevalence rate of 167/100,000 in the general practice population; 83 replies were received.

CONCLUSION

The 90% acceptance rate of chronic fatigue syndrome as a clinically valid diagnosis suggests that amongst the Otago general practitioners the controversy had receded. The low numbers suggest that they are on the conservative end of the diagnostic spectrum.