CDC Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

The CDC Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS is a research study that began in 2012, led by Dr. Elizabeth Unger at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It aims to recruit 450 patients aged 18-70 years old from seven clinical sites in the United States with a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), post-infective fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis(ME).[1]

Selection criteria[edit | edit source]

The study's criteria are described as:

Any patient (aged 18 – 70 years) that is managed or diagnosed with CFS, post-infective fatigue (PIF) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) at any of the seven participating clinical sites is eligible for participation in this study. Clinicians from each participating clinical site will determine whether a patient has CFS based on their clinical experience and expertise in CFS.[2]

Compliance with a specific case definition, such as Fukuda criteria or Canadian Consensus Criteria is not necessary. The participating physician may use his or her best judgement as to whether a patient meets the diagnosis. In doing so, the study hopes to be able to identify a consensus about a case definition based on biologic measures, as well as sub-sets of the illness which can individualized treatments.[3]

Participating clinical sites[edit | edit source]

Preliminary data[edit | edit source]

At the CDC Grand Rounds event in February 2016 Doctor Elizabeth Unger showed the following slide summarizing the function of the study's patient group. The red markers show normal values for healthy people. The blue boxes represent the range for study participants, with the diamonds showing the study participants' average score. The chart demonstrates near-normal mental health and emotional role functioning, but very poor physical function.[4][5]

2016 CDC multi-center study slide.jpg

Notable people[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 14, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  2. "Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. July 14, 2017. What case definition was used for determining CFS cases?. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  3. "CDC Multi-site Study – An interview with Beth Unger". Phoenix Rising. January 31, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  4. "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Advancing Research and Clinical Education". YouTube. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). February 19, 2016.
  5. Unger, Elizabeth (2016). "CDC PUBLIC HEALTH GRAND ROUNDS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Advancing Research and Clinical Education" (PDF). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.