Prescribing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, by Bhatti & Bhatti, Feb 2019

MeSci

MeSci

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Source: Prescriber

February 2019, pp 29-33

Date: February 20, 2019

URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/psb.1741

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/psb.1741

Prescribing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
------------------------------------------------------
Shabir Bhatti(1), Qasid Ahmad Bhatti(2)
1 Bermondsey, London, United Kingdom
2 Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, can be difficult to both diagnose and treat, but there are many prescribed medications that can help with specific symptoms and co‐morbidities..

This article provides a guide to treatment in primary care.

Article can be found at 2nd link. Continues to recommend CBT & GET.
 
Yes the article would have done better as one sentence - get a copy of the MEAssociation Purple Book

I notice they were fuzzy about prescribing Tricyclics on top of SSRIs which is unhelpful. The MEA wording on this is much stronger in showing it is a bad idea.
 
Conclusion
CFS/ME is a debilitating condition with no known cure, which
can present with varying degrees of severity. Its effects can be
mitigated by various interventions individually or in combina-
tion. However, until a cause is found, a lasting cure will remain
elusive. Strong reassurance and non-pharmacological therapies
(CBT and GET) remain the best options so far.
Click to expand...

We don't know the cause and are unlikely to find a cure until we do... that doesn't sound like something that should lead in to their recommendation of "strong reassurance".
 
Is that not the absolute antithesis of what was said in about 1989 when it was decided that aetiology was unimportant and time should not be wasted searching for it.
 
The Care Quality Commission has a page on 'Dr Shabir Bhatti'

Dr Shabir Bhatti Inadequate
Also known as Bermondsey Spa Medical Practice
We are carrying out checks at Dr Shabir Bhatti. We will publish a report when our check is complete.


When it comes to the politics of ME, you couldn't make it up really, could you?
 
Yet another narrative review recommending SSRIs, this one notably does not mention any references. The reason for the lack of references is because all double blinded studies of SSRIs for CFS patients failed to show any benefit for any symptoms including depressive or anxiety symptoms.

I don't know what the background of the authors is, but this study is making non evidence based claims.
 
So presumably written by the year 5 medical student at Prague for some kind of assignment and they possibly thought having the (inadequate)GP on it would help with the gravitas :rofl:

Do medics really get any credit for regurgitating material like this.

@Russell Fleming maybe one to draw to attention of Dr Shepherd? If there’s maybe an opportunity to flag up the dubious approach to prescribing tricyclics SSRIs together.
 
Looks like the MEA want patients views rather than offering an opinion themselves.
'Prescribing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome'

We would welcome your views on the following feature review:

'Prescriber is the leading UK journal for healthcare professionals focussing on prescribing and medicines management. The journal features articles on all areas of therapeutics and prescribing policy and is fully peer reviewed.'
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Code: 
https://www.facebook.com/meassociation/posts/2149756395082007
 
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