CDC Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS

The CDC Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS is a research study that began in 2012, led by Elizabeth Unger at the Centers for Disease Control. 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, post-infective fatigue or myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Selection criteria
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 seven participating clinical sites is eligible for participating in this study. Study exclusions include illness onset at age older than 62 years, HIV infection, current pregnancy, or dementia.'"

Preliminary data
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.



Notable people

 * Elizabeth Unger

Learn more

 * 2016, CDC study finds CFS is physical, not mental
 * 2016, Hear More on Tuesday about NIH study during CDC’s Grand Rounds
 * 2014, CDC Multi-site Study – An interview with Beth Unger
 * 2014, Methodology for the CDC Multi-site Clinical Study
 * 2014, Is CDC Out to Bury PEM? (Mindy Kitei)
 * 2014, The CDC’s Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Multisite Studies
 * 2014, CDC Provides Status Updates on ME/CFS Work
 * 2013, Redefining ME/CFS? CDC Chief Reveals First Fruits of Multi-Center Doctor Study at FDA Stakeholder Meeting


 * Centers for Disease Control - Multi-site Clinical Assessment of CFS