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 qu estionnaire 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 w ith chronic fatigue syndrome in the past; 62 currently had patients; t here is a minimum prevalence rate of 167/100 000 in the general practi ce population; 83 replies were received. Conclusion. The 90% acceptanc e rate of chronic fatigue syndrome as a clinically valid diagnosis sug gests that amongst the Otago general practitioners the controversy has receded. The low numbers suggest that they are on the conservative en d of the diagnostic spectrum.