ME/CFS

ME/CFS is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome. In the U.S. it is most commonly called chronic fatigue syndrome. In the ICD-11, it is listed under post-viral illnesses.

According to the ME/CFS treatment and research clinic, the Bateman Horne Center, traditional diagnostic markers and lab tests often fail to capture the extent of disability in these patients. To accurately assess impairment, clinicians must rely on patient history, questionnaires, validated symptom screening tools, and objective tests for autonomic dysfunction and cognitive impairment.

The Bateman-Horne Center identifies four criteria for diagnosis:

• Impairment of normal function accompanied by fatigue lasting at least 6 months;
• Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) that is moderate to severe and present at least 50 percent of the time;
• Unrefreshing sleep that is moderate to severe and present at least 50 percent of the time;
• And cognitive impairment that is moderate to severe and present at least 50 percent of the time and/or orthostatic intolerance.

Additional symptoms include cognitive impairment; orthostatic intolerance; acute infection-like onset, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, increased infections, new or worsened sensitivities; pain; cold extremities, temperature dysregulation, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, alcohol intolerance, weight changes; gastrointestinal symptoms.

On first instance, use chronic fatigue syndrome, commonly called ME/CFS or . On subsequent uses, use ME/CFS. The <abbr> for the ME/CFS is: <abbr title="Chronic Fatigue Syndrome">ME/CFS</abbr>.

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