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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.<ref>[http://www.meassociation.org.uk/about/the-symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-mecfs Symptoms and diagnosis of ME/CFS - ME Association]</ref> The Oxford criteria was used for [[PACE trial]] participation.<ref>[http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/current-projects/pace-trial#patients Pace Trial - Centre for Psychiatry - QMUL]</ref><ref>[http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2011/02/pace-study-trial-%e2%80%93-medical-research-council-uk-news-report-18-february-2011/ PACE study results – Medical Research Council (UK) news report, 18 February 2011 - ME Association]</ref>
The '''Oxford criteria''' are a set of criteria for the diagnosis [[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]] published in 1991 by a group mostly consisting of psychiatrists, and was designed for research.<ref name="Oxfordcriteria" /> They identify two broad syndromes and are used primarily for research purposes.<ref>[http://www.meassociation.org.uk/about/the-symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-mecfs Symptoms and diagnosis of ME/CFS - ME Association]</ref> The Oxford criteria was used for [[PACE trial]] participation.<ref>[http://www.wolfson.qmul.ac.uk/current-projects/pace-trial#patients Pace Trial - Centre for Psychiatry - QMUL]</ref><ref>[http://www.meassociation.org.uk/2011/02/pace-study-trial-%e2%80%93-medical-research-council-uk-news-report-18-february-2011/ PACE study results – Medical Research Council (UK) news report, 18 February 2011 - ME Association]</ref>


==Authors==
==Authors==
[[Michael Sharpe]], [[Len Archard]], [[Jangu Banatvala]], [[Leszek Borysiewicz]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Clare Anthony Clare], [[Anthony David]], [[Richard Edwards]], [[Keith Hawton]], [[Harold Lambert]], [[Russell Lane]]
[[Michael Sharpe]], [[Len Archard]], Jangu Banatvala, Leszek Borysiewicz, [[Anthony Clare]], [[Anthony David]], [[Richard Edwards]], Keith Hawton, Harold Lambert, Russell Lane.


==Definition==
==Definition==
Line 8: Line 8:
===Chronic fatigue syndrome===
===Chronic fatigue syndrome===


* [[fatigue]] is the principal symptom: it is severe, disabling and affects physical and mental functioning; it should have been present for a minimum of 6 months during which it was present for more than 50% of the time.
* [[fatigue]] is the principal symptom; the fatigue is [[disability|disabling]], and affects physical and mental functioning, and should have been present for a minimum of 6 months during which it was present for more than 50% of the time.
* other symptoms may be present: particularly [[myalgia]], [[mood swings]] and [[sleep disturbance]]s.
* other symptoms may be present: particularly [[myalgia]], [[mood swings]] and [[sleep dysfunction|sleep disturbance]]s.
* definite onset of symptoms, not life-long.
* definite onset of symptoms, not life-long.
* exceptions: patients with established medical conditions known to produce [[chronic fatigue]]; also patients with a current diagnosis of [[schizophrenia]], [[manic depressive illness]], [[substance abuse]], [[eating disorder]] or proven organic brain disease.
* exclusions: patients with established medical conditions known to produce [[Chronic fatigue (symptom)|chronic fatigue]]; also patients with a current diagnosis of [[schizophrenia]], [[Bipolar disorder|bipolar disorder (manic depressive illness)]], [[substance abuse]], [[anorexia and eating disorders|eating disorder]] or proven organic brain disease.


===[[Post-infectious Fatigue Syndrome]] (PIFS)===
===[[Post-infectious Fatigue Syndrome]] (PIFS)===


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).
A subtype of [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] 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:
To meet the research criteria for PIFS patients must:
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* (c) the infection has been corroborated by laboratory evidence.
* (c) the infection has been corroborated by laboratory evidence.


===PDF for Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS===
The infection associated with fatigue does not need to be a virus.


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/ A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine Volume 84 February 1991 118-121]</ref>
===Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS===
* '''[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 name="Oxfordcriteria">{{Cite journal|url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1293107/| title =  A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research|journal=Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine|volume=84 | date = Feb 1991|pages=118-121|pmc =  1293107 | author-link = Michael Sharpe | first1 = Michael| last1 = Sharpe | first2 = Len | last2 = Archard | author-link2 = Len Archard | first3 = Jangu | last3 = Banatvala  | authorlink3 = |first4 = Leszek | last4 = Borysiewicz  | authorlink4 = | first5 =  Anthony | last5 = Clare | authorlink5 = Anthony Clare | first6 = Anthony | last6 = David | authorlink6 = Anthony David | first7 = Richard | last7 = Edwards | authorlink7 = | first8 =  Keith | last8 = Hawton | authorlink8 = | first9 = Harold | last9 = Lambert | first10 = Russell | last10 =Lane}}</ref>


==Criticisms==
==Criticisms==
*[[How have selection bias and disease misclassification undermined the validity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome studies?]] For every 15 patients selected under Oxford criteria, 14 will be false positives when compared to [[Canadian Consensus Criteria]]. The [[Pace trial]] and [[FINE trial]] used Oxford criteria.
*2017, [[How have selection bias and disease misclassification undermined the validity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome studies?]]<ref name="Nacul2017">{{Cite journal | last = Nacul | first = Luis | authorlink = Luis Nacul | last2 = Lacerda | first2 = Eliana M  | authorlink2 = Eliana Lacerda | last3 = Kingdon | first3 = Caroline C  | authorlink3 = Caroline Kingdon | last4 = Curran | first4 = Hayley | authorlink4 = Hayley Curran | last5 = Bowman | first5 = Erinna W | authorlink5 = Erinna Bowman | date = Mar 1, 2017| title = How have selection bias and disease misclassification undermined the validity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome studies?|url=https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317695803|journal=[[Journal of Health Psychology]]|language=en|volume=|issue=|pages=1359105317695803|doi=10.1177/1359105317695803|issn=1359-1053|pmc=5581258|pmid=28810428|quote=|via=}}</ref><br>
*[[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.<ref>[https://voat.co/v/CFS/comments/254402 Chronic Fatigue is NOT Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - VOAT]</ref>
::"For every 15 patients selected under Oxford criteria, 14 will be false positives when compared to [[Canadian Consensus Criteria]]. The [[Pace trial]] and [[FINE trial]] used Oxford criteria."<br >
*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]].<ref>[http://arthritis.about.com/od/fatigue/f/chronicfatigue.htm Chronic Fatigue Versus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - About.com HEALTH By: Carol Eustice]</ref>
::"When studies using the broad Oxford criteria (Sharpe et al., 1991) were excluded, a virtual disappearance of effect for graded exercise therapy (GET), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and other psychological therapies recommended by the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2007) was revealed. "
*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.<ref name="Njoku, 2016"/>
*2015, Diagnostic Methods for [[ME/CFS|Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]]: A Systematic Review for a [[National Institutes of Health]] Pathways to Prevention Workshop<ref name="P2PPreview2015">{{Cite journal | last = Haney | first = Elizabeth | last2 = Smith | first2 = M.E. Beth | last3 = McDonagh | first3 = Marian | last4 = Pappas | first4 = Miranda | last5 = Daeges | first5 = Monica | last6 = Wasson | first6 = Ngoc | last7 = Nelson | first7 = Heidi D. | date = Jun 16, 2015 | title = Diagnostic Methods for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop | url =http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0443|journal=Annals of Internal Medicine|language=en|volume=162|issue=12 | pages = 834|doi=10.7326/m15-0443|issn=0003-4819|via=}}</ref> [http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2322800/diagnostic-methods-myalgic-encephalomyelitis-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-systematic-review-national (Full Text)]<br >
::"Consensus groups and researchers should consider retiring the Oxford case definition because it differs from the other case definitions and is the least restrictive, probably including individuals with other overlapping conditions"
 
*2015, Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop<ref name="P2PTreatment">{{Cite journal | last = Smith | first = M.E. Beth | last2 = Haney | first2 = Elizabeth | last3 = McDonagh | first3 = Marian | last4 = Pappas | first4 = Miranda | last5 = Daeges | first5 = Monica | last6 = Wasson | first6 = Ngoc | last7 = Fu | first7 = Rongwei | last8 = Nelson | first8 = Heidi D. | date = Jun 16, 2015 | title = Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop | url =http://annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M15-0114|journal=Annals of Internal Medicine|language=en|volume=162|issue=12 | pages = 841|doi=10.7326/m15-0114|issn=0003-4819|via=}}</ref> [http://annals.org/aim/fullarticle/2322801/treatment-myalgic-encephalomyelitis-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-systematic-review-national-institutes (Full Text)]<br >:"The Oxford CFS case definition is the least restrictive, and its use as entry criteria could have resulted in selection of participants with other fatiguing illnesses or illnesses that resolve spontaneously with time (16, 71)."
 
*[[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.{{citation needed}}
*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 [[chronic fatigue syndrome|CFS]].{{citation needed}}
*Many psychiatric disorders are not excluded, even though the disorder is designed for research. 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.<ref name="Njoku, 2016" />


*'''US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped''' - ''The Argus Report'' By: Penny Swift.
*'''US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped''' - ''The Argus Report'' By: Penny Swift.
:''Excerpt''
::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.<ref name="Oxfordscrapped">{{Cite web|url=http://theargusreport.com/us-nih-report-calls-uk-definition-mecfs-scrapped/| title = US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped | last = Swift | first = Penny | date = 2015-01-16 | website = The Argus Report|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-28}}</ref>


:''Excerpt''
* 2017, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Baraniuk | first = James N. | authorlink = James Baraniuk  | authorlink2 = | date = 2017-10-02| title = Chronic fatigue syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2017.1353578|journal = Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior |volume=5|issue=4|pages=215–230|doi=10.1080/21641846.2017.1353578|issn=2164-1846|pmc=6407870|pmid=30854252|quote=|via=}}</ref> [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21641846.2017.1353578?journalCode=rftg20 (Full text)]
::The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Institutes_of_Health 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.<ref>[http://theargusreport.com/us-nih-report-calls-uk-definition-mecfs-scrapped/ US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped - The Argus Report By: Penny Swift]</ref>
 
==Research using the Oxford criteria==


* Dr [James Baraniuk] published in July 2017 [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21641846.2017.1353578?journalCode=rftg20  'Chronic fatigue syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study'.]
* 2010: Psychiatric misdiagnoses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
** "Conclusions: Doctors assessing patients in a chronic fatigue syndrome clinic miss psychiatric diagnoses more often than misdiagnosing them. Missed diagnoses are common. CFS clinic doctors should be trained to diagnose psychiatric disorders."<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Lawn | first = Tara | last2 = Kumar | first2 = Praveen | last3 = Knight | first3 = Bernice | last4 = Sharpe | first4 = Michael | last5 = White | first5 = Peter D| date = 2010-09-06| title = Psychiatric misdiagnoses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2984352/|journal=JRSM Short Reports|volume=1|issue=4|doi=10.1258/shorts.2010.010042|issn=2042-5333|pmc=2984352|pmid=21103120}}</ref>


==Learn more==
==Learn more==
Line 47: Line 59:
*[[FINE trial]]
*[[FINE trial]]
*[[PACE trial]]
*[[PACE trial]]
*[[Biopsychosocial model]]
*[[Viral onset hypothesis]]
*[[Wessely school]]


==References==
==References==
<references>
<references>
<ref name="Njoku, 2016">{{citation
<ref name="Njoku, 2016">{{citation | author  = [[Mary Gloria Njoku| Mary Gloria C. Njoku]] | title = Myalgic, Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: History, Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence
| author  = [[Mary Gloria Njoku| Mary Gloria C. Njoku]]
| type    = ebook | date = 2016
| title   = Myalgic, Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: History, Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence
| ISBN    = 978-1-4689-7326-6 }}</ref>
| type    = ebook
| date   = 2016
| ISBN    = 978-1-4689-7326-6
}}</ref>
</references>
</references>


[[Category:Definitions]]
[[Category:Definitions]]

Latest revision as of 13:31, April 3, 2023

The Oxford criteria are a set of criteria for the diagnosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome published in 1991 by a group mostly consisting of psychiatrists, and was designed for research.[1] They identify two broad syndromes and are used primarily for research purposes.[2] The Oxford criteria was used for PACE trial participation.[3][4]

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 subtype of chronic fatigue syndrome 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.

The infection associated with fatigue does not need to be a virus.

Oxford Definition CFS and PIFS[edit | edit source]

Criticisms[edit | edit source]

"For every 15 patients selected under Oxford criteria, 14 will be false positives when compared to Canadian Consensus Criteria. The Pace trial and FINE trial used Oxford criteria."
"When studies using the broad Oxford criteria (Sharpe et al., 1991) were excluded, a virtual disappearance of effect for graded exercise therapy (GET), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and other psychological therapies recommended by the NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2007) was revealed. "
"Consensus groups and researchers should consider retiring the Oxford case definition because it differs from the other case definitions and is the least restrictive, probably including individuals with other overlapping conditions"
  • 2015, Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop[7] (Full Text)
    :"The Oxford CFS case definition is the least restrictive, and its use as entry criteria could have resulted in selection of participants with other fatiguing illnesses or illnesses that resolve spontaneously with time (16, 71)."
  • 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.[citation needed]
  • 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.[citation needed]
  • Many psychiatric disorders are not excluded, even though the disorder is designed for research. 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.[8]
  • US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped - The Argus Report By: Penny Swift.
Excerpt
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.[9]
  • 2017, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study[10] (Full text)

Research using the Oxford criteria[edit | edit source]

  • 2010: Psychiatric misdiagnoses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
    • "Conclusions: Doctors assessing patients in a chronic fatigue syndrome clinic miss psychiatric diagnoses more often than misdiagnosing them. Missed diagnoses are common. CFS clinic doctors should be trained to diagnose psychiatric disorders."[11]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Sharpe, Michael; Archard, Len; Banatvala, Jangu; Borysiewicz, Leszek; Clare, Anthony; David, Anthony; Edwards, Richard; Hawton, Keith; Lambert, Harold; Lane, Russell (February 1991). "A report - chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 84: 118–121. PMC 1293107.
  2. Symptoms and diagnosis of ME/CFS - ME Association
  3. Pace Trial - Centre for Psychiatry - QMUL
  4. PACE study results – Medical Research Council (UK) news report, 18 February 2011 - ME Association
  5. Nacul, Luis; Lacerda, Eliana M; Kingdon, Caroline C; Curran, Hayley; Bowman, Erinna W (March 1, 2017). "How have selection bias and disease misclassification undermined the validity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome studies?". Journal of Health Psychology: 1359105317695803. doi:10.1177/1359105317695803. ISSN 1359-1053. PMC 5581258. PMID 28810428.
  6. Haney, Elizabeth; Smith, M.E. Beth; McDonagh, Marian; Pappas, Miranda; Daeges, Monica; Wasson, Ngoc; Nelson, Heidi D. (June 16, 2015). "Diagnostic Methods for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop". Annals of Internal Medicine. 162 (12): 834. doi:10.7326/m15-0443. ISSN 0003-4819.
  7. Smith, M.E. Beth; Haney, Elizabeth; McDonagh, Marian; Pappas, Miranda; Daeges, Monica; Wasson, Ngoc; Fu, Rongwei; Nelson, Heidi D. (June 16, 2015). "Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review for a National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention Workshop". Annals of Internal Medicine. 162 (12): 841. doi:10.7326/m15-0114. ISSN 0003-4819.
  8. Mary Gloria C. Njoku (2016), Myalgic, Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: History, Diagnostic Criteria and Prevalence (ebook), ISBN 978-1-4689-7326-6
  9. Swift, Penny (January 16, 2015). "US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped". The Argus Report. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  10. Baraniuk, James N. (October 2, 2017). "Chronic fatigue syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study". Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior. 5 (4): 215–230. doi:10.1080/21641846.2017.1353578. ISSN 2164-1846. PMC 6407870. PMID 30854252.
  11. Lawn, Tara; Kumar, Praveen; Knight, Bernice; Sharpe, Michael; White, Peter D (September 6, 2010). "Psychiatric misdiagnoses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome". JRSM Short Reports. 1 (4). doi:10.1258/shorts.2010.010042. ISSN 2042-5333. PMC 2984352. PMID 21103120.