Definitions of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome

Over the course of almost three decades, many definitions or criteria have been developed to diagnose either ME, CFS or ME/CFS and SEID.

ME

 * 1986 Ramsay definition
 * 2007 Nightingale definition
 * 2011 International Consensus Criteria
 * 2014 London criteria

Only the International Consensus Criteria is currently used in some research and by few clinicians in some countries.

CFS

 * 1988 CDC case definition ("Holmes criteria")
 * 1991 Oxford criteria
 * 1994 CDC case definition ("Fukuda criteria")
 * 2005 CDC case definition ("Empirical definition")

The Oxford Criteria is used in the UK by clinicians and researchers. Fukuda criteria is used in research by several countries including the USA and sometimes in the UK. The Holmes criteria and Empirical definition are not in use.

Combined (ME/CFS)

 * 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria
 * 2007 NICE guidelines

The Canadian Consensus Criteria is sometimes used by clinicians and research in many countries but has not been officially implemented by most including the USA.

SEID

 * 2015 IOM diagnostic criteria (SEID)

Proposed for use in the USA for clinical use but has not been officially implemented. NIH Post-Infectious ME/CFS Study is using this criteria along with three other criteria.

Comparison

 * Frank Twisk, Accurate diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome based upon objective test methods for characteristic symptoms
 * Case Definition Comparison - Graph 1

Learn more
See: Comparative Graphs - Case Definition Comparison - Graph 1
 * CFS vs SEID - Tandfonline Four Symptom Criteria Noted
 * CFS and ME: Toward An Empirical Case Definition - NCBI - NLM - NIH.gov See: Graph - 1
 * Excluding Factors: Jason Critiques the IOM Definition for ME/CFS - Health Rising - Cort Johnson Four Symptom Criteria Noted