E2 ModerateModerate confidencePEM unclearCase-ControlPeer-reviewedMachine draft
Use of medications by people with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy persons: a population-based study of fatiguing illness in Georgia.
Boneva, Roumiana S, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Maloney, Elizabeth M et al. · Health and quality of life outcomes · 2009 · DOI
Quick Summary
This study looked at what medications and supplements people with ME/CFS were taking compared to healthy people and those with other chronic illnesses. Researchers found that over 90% of people with ME/CFS used at least one medication or supplement, and they used significantly more drugs overall—an average of 5.8 compared to 3.7 in healthy people. People with ME/CFS were more likely to take antidepressants, sleep aids, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers.
Why It Matters
This study documents the substantial medication burden borne by ME/CFS patients and raises important questions about drug interactions and unintended adverse effects in a vulnerable population without curative treatments. Understanding polypharmacy patterns helps clinicians recognize potential risks and prioritize careful medication review in their ME/CFS patients.
Observed Findings
- Over 90% of persons with CFS used at least one drug or supplement in the prior two weeks
- Persons with CFS used an average of 5.8 drugs/supplements compared to 4.1 in the Unwell (ISF) group and 3.7 in Well controls
- CFS patients were significantly more likely to use antidepressants, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and antacids than both comparison groups
- CFS patients used pain-relievers, antihistamines, and cold/sinus medications at higher rates than Well controls
Inferred Conclusions
- Polypharmacy is a substantial and prevalent issue in ME/CFS populations, warranting clinical awareness and medication review
- CFS patients exhibit distinct medication use patterns suggesting both symptomatic treatment needs and possible iatrogenic medication exposures
- Healthcare providers should monitor for potential drug interactions and cumulative adverse effects in this high-medication-use population
Remaining Questions
- Are medications being used effectively to treat CFS symptoms, or do they represent unsuccessful symptomatic management attempts?
- What is the relationship between polypharmacy and disease severity, disability, or quality of life outcomes?
- Do certain medication combinations create drug interactions or adverse effects specific to ME/CFS physiology?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This study does not establish whether the medications were effective, harmful, or necessary—only that they were being used. It does not prove causation between medication use and ME/CFS severity or outcomes, and the cross-sectional design cannot determine whether polypharmacy results from CFS symptoms or contributes to them. The study also cannot assess medication adherence or actual ingestion.
Tags
Symptom:Cognitive DysfunctionUnrefreshing SleepPainFatigue
Method Flag:PEM Not DefinedStrong Phenotyping
Metadata
- DOI
- 10.1186/1477-7525-7-67
- PMID
- 19619330
- Review status
- Machine draft
- Evidence level
- Single-study or moderate support from human research
- Last updated
- 8 April 2026
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
Spotted an error in this entry? Report it →