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Practice Commentary
Fred Heidrich, MD, MPH
Arch Fam Med. 1994;3(12):1055.
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| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings. |
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Fatigue of over 3 months' duration was studied in a group of 48 pediatric patients. While a specific diagnosis was made in only one case (and two others were overtly depressed), several important points are made. First, Iaboratory evaluation of fatigue is not helpful in the absence of historical or physical examination features pointing to a specific diagnosis. Next, the long-term prognosis—over years—is favorable, with a majority of patients fully recovered and most of the remainder improved. Finally, reassurance and encouragement of an early return to full participation is, in the authors' opinion and experience, an important therapeutic strategy. In family practice we commonly see pediatric patients with ill-defined discomfort syndromes such as headache and musculoskeletal or abdominal pains of obscure origin. It is likely that their six principles of therapy for fatigue also apply in such cases.
We must remain aware of some limitations in accepting the study results.
. . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]
Author Affiliations
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound Seattle, Wash
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