Definitions of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome

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Over the course of three decades, many definitions or case criteria have been developed to diagnose either myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) which is an ME/CFS criteria. Some of these definitions or criteria are meant only to be diagnostic, i.e., used in a clinical setting to aid in diagnosis and some are meant to be used both in a clinical and research setting.

Each of these criteria and case definitions have been considered lacking in complete reliability and accuracy. Another change in the definition is assumed when medical research uncovers more of the pathophysiology of this illness.[1]

ME[edit | edit source]

The International Consensus Criteria is currently used in some research and by few clinicians in some countries. Ramsay definition, Nightingale definition and London criteria are currently not in use.

CFS[edit | edit source]

The Holmes criteria is currently not in use. The Oxford criteria is used in the UK by clinicians and researchers but has been recommended for retirement. Fukuda criteria is used in research by several countries including the US and sometimes in the UK. Reeves criteria is currently being used in the NIH Post-Infectious ME/CFS Study but overall it is not in use.

Combined (ME/CFS)[edit | edit source]

The Canadian Consensus Criteria is sometimes used by clinicians and for research in many countries but has not been officially adopted by most countries including the US. NICE guidelines are used by clinicians in the UK.

Note: ME/CFS (or CFS/ME in the UK and parts of Europe) is the acronym now used in the US and some other countries.

'SEID'[edit | edit source]

  • 2015 Institute of Medicine (IOM) diagnostic criteria[12]
  • The name "Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease" (SEID) was proposed in conjunction with this criteria, but was not adopted.[13]

The IOM criteria is an ME/CFS criteria proposed for use in the US in clinical settings. The NIH Post-Infectious ME/CFS Study is using this criteria along with three other criteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines the IOM diagnostic criteria on their ME/CFS page IOM 2015 Diagnostic Criteria.

Note on Definition flaws[edit | edit source]

Definitions with a asterisk (*) are considered to be by most ME/CFS patients, many ME/CFS patients groups, and several ME/CFS researchers as being seriously flawed in that these criteria capture individuals suffering from chronic fatigue and not chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease.

Comparison[edit | edit source]


  • 2003, Jason, Leonard A.; Helgerson, Jena; Torres-Harding, Susan R.; Carrico, Adam W.; Taylor, Renee R. (March 2003), "Variability in diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome may result in substantial differences in patterns of symptoms and disability", Evaluation & the Health Professions, 26 (1): 3–22, ISSN 0163-2787, PMID 12629919


  • 2012, Jason, Leonard A.; Brown, Abigail; Clyne, Erin; Bartgis, Lindsey; Evans, Meredyth; Brown, Molly (September 2012), "Contrasting case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis", Evaluation & the Health Professions, 35 (3): 280–304, doi:10.1177/0163278711424281, ISSN 1552-3918, PMID 22158691


Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Williams, Yolonda J.; Jantke, Rachel L.; Jason, Leonard A. (2014), "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Case Definitions and Diagnostic Assessment", New York State Psychologist, 26 (4): 41–45, PMID 27594717
  2. "Ramsay's Definition of M.E." www.cfids-me.org. 1986. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  3. The Nightingale Definition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)
  4. Carruthers, Bruce M.; van de Sande, Marjorie I.; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Broderick, Gordon; Mitchell, Terry; Staines, Donald; Powles, A. C. Peter; Speight, Nigel; Vallings, Rosamund; Bateman, Lucinda; Baumgarten-Austrheim, Barbara; Bell, David; Carlo-Stella, Nicoletta; Chia, John; Darragh, Austin; Jo, Daehyun; Lewis, Donald; Light, Alan; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya; Mena, Ismael; Mikovits, Judy; Miwa, Kunihisa; Murovska, Modra; Pall, Martin; Stevens, Staci (August 22, 2011). "Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria". Journal of Internal Medicine. 270 (4): 327–338. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x. ISSN 0954-6820. PMC 3427890. PMID 21777306.
  5. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). Criteria and clinical guidelines 2014.
  6. Holmes, G. P.; Kaplan, J. E.; Gantz, N. M.; Komaroff, A. L.; Schonberger, L. B.; Straus, S. E.; Jones, J. F.; Dubois, R. E.; Cunningham-Rundles, C. (March 1988). "Chronic fatigue syndrome: a working case definition". Annals of Internal Medicine. 108 (3): 387–389. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-108-3-387. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 2829679.
  7. Sharpe, M. C.; Archard, L. C.; Banatvala, J. E.; Borysiewicz, L. K.; Clare, A. W.; David, A.; Edwards, R. H.; Hawton, K. E.; Lambert, H. P. (February 1991). "A report--chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 84 (2): 118–121. ISSN 0141-0768. PMC 1293107. PMID 1999813.
  8. Fukuda, K.; Straus, S. E.; Hickie, I.; Sharpe, M. C.; Dobbins, J. G.; Komaroff, A. (December 15, 1994). "The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group". Annals of Internal Medicine. 121 (12): 953–959. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-121-12-199412150-00009. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 7978722.
  9. Reeves, William C.; Wagner, Dieter; Nisenbaum, Rosane; Jones, James F.; Gurbaxani, Brian; Solomon, Laura; Papanicolaou, Dimitris A.; Unger, Elizabeth R.; Vernon, Suzanne D. (December 15, 2005). "Chronic fatigue syndrome--a clinically empirical approach to its definition and study". BMC medicine. 3: 19. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-3-19. ISSN 1741-7015. PMC 1334212. PMID 16356178.
  10. Carruthers, Bruce M.; Jain, Anil Kumar; Meirleir, Kenny L. De; Peterson, Daniel L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Lerner, A. Martin; Bested, Alison C.; Flor-Henry, Pierre; Joshi, Pradip (January 1, 2003). "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 11 (1): 7–115. doi:10.1300/J092v11n01_02. ISSN 1057-3321.
  11. "Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): diagnosis and management | Guidance". www.nice.org.uk. 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  12. Institute of Medicine (2015). "Proposed Diagnostic Criteria". www.nationalacademies.org. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  13. "IOM 2015 Diagnostic Criteria | Diagnosis | Healthcare Providers | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control. November 8, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2019.