Treatment for paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and comorbid depression: a systematic review. Issue 10 (11th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Loades, Maria E; Sheils, Elizabeth A; Crawley, Esther
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 6:Issue 10(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-10-11
• Subjects: chronic fatigue syndrome -- CFS/ME -- paediatric; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: At least 30% of young people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) also have symptoms of depression. This systematic review aimed to establish which treatment approaches for depression are effective and whether comorbid depression mediates outcome. Setting: A systematic review was undertaken. The search terms were entered into MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo and the Cochrane library. Participants: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify relevant papers. Inclusion criteria were children age <18, with CFS/ME, defined using CDC, NICE or Oxford criteria, and having completed a valid assessment for depression. Results: 9 studies were identified which met the inclusion criteria, but none specifically tested treatments for paediatric CFS/ME with depression and none stratified outcome for those who were depressed compared with those who were not depressed. There is no consistent treatment approach for children with CFS/ME and comorbid depression, although cognitive–behavioural therapy for CFS/ME and a multicomponent inpatient programme for CFS/ME have shown some promise in reducing depressive symptoms. An antiviral medication in a small scale, retrospective, uncontrolled study suggested possible benefit. Conclusions: It is not possible to determine what treatment approaches are effective for depression in paediatric CFS/ME, nor to determine the impact of depression on the outcome of CFS/ME treatment. Young people with significant depression tend to have been excluded from previous treatment studies.