Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

TLDR

Recent years have increased recognition of the need for clinical criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and the paper uses the terms interchangeably as ME/CFS. The study presents a systematic clinical working case definition and associated diagnostic and treatment protocols to promote a comprehensive, integrated approach to ME/CFS. An expert subcommittee of Health Canada convened a medical consensus panel and held a consensus workshop in March–April 2001 to develop the clinical working case definition, diagnostic and treatment protocols. Key words include clinical case definition, myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, ME/CFS, diagnostic protocol, and treatment protocol.

Abstract

ABSTRACTABSTRACTRecent years have brought growing recognition of the need for clinical criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), which is also called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). An Expert Subcommittee of Health Canada established the Terms of Reference, and selected an Expert Medical Consensus Panel representing treating physicians, teaching faculty and researchers. A Consensus Workshop was held on March 30 to April 1,2001 to culminate the review process and establish consensus for a clinical working case definition, diagnostic protocols and treatment protocols. We present a systematic clinical working case definition that encourages a diagnosis based on characteristic patterns of symptom clusters, which reflect specific areas of pathogenesis. Diagnostic and treatment protocols, and a short overview of research are given to facilitate a comprehensive and integrated approach to this illness. Throughout this paper, “myalgic encephalomyelitis” and “chronic fatigue syndrome” are used interchangeably and this illness is referred to as “ME/CFS.”Key Words: Clinical case definitionmyalgic encephalomyelitischronic fatigue syndromeMECFSdiagnostic protocoltreatment protocol