Oxford criteria: Difference between revisions

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===PDF for Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS===
===PDF for Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS===


PDF: '''A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research''' - ''Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine'' - Volume 84 February 1991 118-121<ref>[http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/documents/ME-CFS_res/CFS%20Oxford%20Criteria%201991.pdf A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 84 February 1991 118-121]</ref>
PDF: '''A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research''' - ''Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine'' - Volume 84 February 1991 118-121<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1293107/pdf/jrsocmed00127-0072.pdf A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 84 February 1991 118-121]</ref>


==Criticisms==
==Criticisms==

Revision as of 15:09, November 29, 2016

The Oxford criteria are a set of criteria for the diagnosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome published in 1991 by a group of psychiatrists. They identify two broad syndromes and are used primarily for research purposes.[1] The Oxford criteria was used for PACE trial participation.[2][3]

Authors[edit | edit source]

Michael Sharpe, Len Archard, Jangu Banatvala, Leszek Borysiewicz, Anthony Clare, Anthony David, Richard Edwards, Keith Hawton, Harold Lambert, Russell Lane

Definition[edit | edit source]

Chronic fatigue syndrome[edit | edit source]

Post-infectious Fatigue Syndrome (PIFS)[edit | edit source]

A sub-type of CFS which either follows an infection or is associated with a current infection (although whether such associated infection is of aetiological significance (i.e. whether it is the cause of the symptoms) is a topic for research).

To meet the research criteria for PIFS patients must:

  • i. fulfil the criteria for CFS as defined above (i.e. the Oxford definition)
  • ii. should also fulfil the following additional criteria:
  • (a) There is definite evidence of infection at onset or presentation (a patient’s self-report is unlikely to be sufficiently reliable).
  • (b) the syndrome is present for a minimum of 6 months after onset of infection.
  • (c) the infection has been corroborated by laboratory evidence.

PDF for Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS[edit | edit source]

PDF: A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research - Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine - Volume 84 February 1991 118-121[4]

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

  • Post-exertional malaise is not a listed symptom. When this symptom is not mandatory, patients with Chronic Fatigue and not the grossly misnamed disease Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are swept into the study.[5]
  • Depression is not an absolute exception for a possible cause of Chronic Fatigue (not to be confused with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.) This allows for patients with depression to be misdiagnosed with CFS.[6]
  • Many psychiatric disorders are not excluded. Although schizophrenia, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and verified organic brain disorders are excluded from diagnosis in the Oxford criteria, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and hyperventilation can be included. This allows for a more heterogeneous patient sample which can render clinical study results indeterminate.[7]
  • US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped - The Argus Report By: Penny Swift.
"The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a draft report that highlights the dire need for scientific research that will help find a cure for the millions of people suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) worldwide. The report also highlights the fact that the decades-old UK Royal Society of Medicine’s Oxford criteria for ME/CFS are severely “flawed,” and that continuing to use these criteria may “cause harm.” Further, the NIH report says that the Royal Society definition should “be retired” and replaced with a single case definition agreed to by the ME/CFS community."[8]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]