List of abbreviations

This is a list of abbreviations commonly used on MEpedia or in relation to ME/CFS. Abbreviations can be shortened versions of words, acronyms or mnemonics of short phrases. They can appear with or without punctuation.

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Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
2-day CPET	Two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test

A

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
A-msh	Alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone
AA	Arachidonic acid
ACTH	Adrenocorticotropic hormone
AfME	Action for ME
AHCC	Active Hexose Correlated Compound
AHRQ	Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
AIDS	Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
Am Fam Physician.	American Family Physician	Academic journal
Am J Med.	The American Journal of Medicine	Academic journal
Am J Psychiatry	The American Journal of Psychiatry	Academic journal
Am J Psychology	The American Journal of Psychology	Academic journal
AMPK	AMP-activated protein kinase
Am Psychol.	American Psychologist	Academic journal
Ann Epidemiol.	Annals of Epidemiology	Academic journal
Ann Intern Med.	Annals of Internal Medicine	Academic journal
ANZMES	Associated New Zealand ME Society
APPG on ME	All Party Parliamentary Group on ME
APT	Adaptive Pacing Therapy
ATP	Adenosine triphosphate
Aust N Z J Psychiatry	Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry	Academic journal
Autoimmun Rev.	Autoimmunity Reviews	Academic journal
AYME	Association of Young People with ME

B

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
BA	Bachelor of Arts degree
Biopsychosoc Med.	BioPsychoSocial Medicine	Academic journal
BMC Health Serv Res.	BMC Health Services Research	Academic journal
BMJ	British Medical Journal	Academic journal
BMREC / BRMEC	Biomedical Research into ME Colloquium
BPD	Borderline Personality Disorder	A mental disorder
BPS model	Biopsychosocial model	The primary model for mental illnesses
BPSM	BioPsychoSocial Medicine	Academic journal
Br J Nurs.	British Journal of Nursing	Academic journal
Br J Soc Psychol.	British Journal of Social Psychology	Academic journal
Br Med Bull.	British Medical Bulletin	Academic journal
BS or BSc	Bachelor of Science degree

C

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
CAA	CFIDS Association of America	Now known as the Solve ME/CFS Initiative
CBT	Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CCC	Canadian Consensus Criteria
CDC	Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
CDR	Cell danger response
C. diff	Clostridium difficile
CEBV	Chronic Epstein-Barr virus
CFIDS	Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
CFS / C.F.S.	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
CFS/ME	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
CFSAC	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee
CI	Confidence interval	Research term
CMRC	UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative
CMS	Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services
CMV	Cytomegalovirus
CNS	Central nervous system
COPD	Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CoQ10	Coenzyme Q10
COST	Cooperation In Science And Technology
CPET	Cardiopulmonary exercise test

D

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
DGLA	Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
DHA	Docosahexaenoic acid
DHEA	Dehydroepiandrosterone
DNA	Deoxyribonucleic acid
DOI	Digital object identifier	Identifier
DsRNA	Double-stranded RNA viruses
DWP	Department for Work and Pensions	UK social security department
Dyn Med.	Dynamic Medicine	Academic journal

E

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
EBNA	Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen
EBV	Epstein-Barr virus
E. coli	Escherichia coli
EDS	Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
EEG	Electroencephalogram, Electroencephalograph, or Electroencephalography
EPA	Eicosapentaenoic acid
EUROMENE	European ME Network / European Network on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Exerc Immunol Rev.	Exercise immunology review	Academic journal

F

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
FDA	U.S. Food and Drug Administration
FINE	FINE trial	Sister trial to the PACE trial for severe ME/CFS
FIQ	Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
FIS	Fatigue Impact Scale
Flu / 'Flu	Influenza
FM	Fibromyalgia
FMS	Fibromyalgia or Fibromyalgia Syndrome
FMT	Fecal matter transplant [US]; Faecal matter transplant [UK]
FOI / FOIA	Freedom of information / Freedom of Information Act	UK data access law
FSS	Fatigue Severity Scale
FUT2	Fucosyltransferase 2 enzyme

G

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
GAPS / GAP Syndrome	Gut and Psychology Syndrome
GAT / GAM	Graded Activity Therapy/Graded Activity Management	Alternative name for GET
GET	Graded Exercise Therapy
GP / G.P.	General Practitioner	Primary Doctor (PDOC)
GSRME	Group on Scientific Research into Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Gibson Enquiry
GWI	Gulf War Illness
GWS	Gulf War Syndrome

H

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
H1N1	Influenza A virus subtype H1N1
HCI	Hydrochloric acid
HHS	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHV	Herpesviruses
HHV-6	Human herpesvirus 6
HHV-7	Human herpesvirus 7
HIV	Human immunodeficiency virus
HPA	Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
HSV	Herpes simplex virus

I

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
IACFS/ME / IACFSME	International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
IBS	Irritable Bowel Syndrome
ICC	International Consensus Criteria for M.E.
ICD	International Classification of Diseases	World Health Organization classification of diseases and disorders
ICO	Information Commissioner's Office	UK department overseeing the Freedom of Information Act
IFN / IFN-γ	Interferon / Interferon gamma
Ig	Immunoglobulin
IgA	Immunoglobulin A
IgM	Immunoglobulin M
IiME/IiMER	Invest in ME Research	UK patient charity
IL	Interleukin
IOM	Institute of Medicine
ISBN	International Standard Book Number	Identifier
ISSN	International Standard Serial Number	Identifier
IVIG	Intravenous immunoglobulin

J

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
JAMA	Journal of the American Medical Association	Academic journal
J. Pediatr.	Journal of Pediatrics	Academic journal
J Transl Med.	Journal of Translational Medicine	Academic journal

K

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
KPS	Karnofsky Performance Scale

L

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
LDN	Low dose naltrexone

M

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
MA	Master of Arts degree
MAVS	Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein
MCAS	Mast cell activation syndrome
MCS	Multiple chemical sensitivity / Multiple chemical sensitivities
MCT	Medium chain fatty acid
MD	Medical Doctor
ME / M.E.	Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or less commonly Myalgic Encephalopathy
MEA	ME Association
MECFSSA	The ME CFS Foundation South Africa
ME/CFS	Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Med Sci Sports Exerc	Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise	Academic journal
MEGC	The ME Global Chronicle	Online newsletter
MESA	The ME Society of America
MFI	Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory
Mono	Mononucleosis [US], Glandular fever [UK]
MPS	Myofascial pain syndrome
MRC	Medical Research Council
MS	Multiple Sclerosis
MSc	Master of Science degree
MSIDS	Multiple Systemic Infectious Diseases Syndrome
MSM	Mainstream media
MSSE	Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise	Academic journal
MTHFR	methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase	A gene variant
MUPS / MUS	Medically unexplained physical symptoms / Medically unexplained symptoms

N

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
NAD / NAD+ / NADH	Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
NAM	National Academy of Medicine	Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine
NCF	National CFIDS Foundation	Patient group
NCNED	National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases
Neuropsychol Rev.	Neuropsychology Review	Academic journal
NHS	National Health Service	UK's universal health care system
NICE	National Institute for Health and Care Excellence	UK body for diagnosis and treatment guidelines
NIH	National Institutes of Health	US government departments
NINDS	National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
NIOF	Neuro-Inflammatory and Oxidative Fatigue
NK cell / NKC	Natural killer cell
NMH	Neurally mediated hypotension
Nrf2	Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2
N Z Med J.	New Zealand Medical Journal	Academic journal

O

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
OI	Orthostatic intolerance
OMF	Open Medicine Foundation	Research charity founded by Dr Ron Davis

P

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
P2P	Pathways to prevention report
PACE trial	Pacing, graded Activity, and Cognitive behaviour therapy Trial
PNAS	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences	Academic journal
PEM	Post-exertional malaise	Also called Post-exertional Neuro Exhaustion (PENE)
PhD	Doctor of Philosophy	Research degree. Not a medical doctor.
PIFS	Post-infectious Fatigue Syndrome	Similar to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome but includes non-viral infections e.g. bacterial
PLoS One / PLOS ONE	Public Library of Science	Academic journal
PMC	PubMed Central	Identifier
PMCID	PubMed Central Identifier	Identifier
PMD	Premenstrual disorder	Also known as PMS
PMDD	Premenstrual dysphoric disorder	Psychological disorder
PMID	PubMed Identifier	Identifier
PMS / PMT	Premenstrual syndrome / Premenstrual tension
PNAS	Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences	Academic journal
Polio	Poliomyelitis
POTS	Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
PRS	Pervasive Refusal Syndrome
PSGL-1	P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1
Psychiatr Clin North Am.	Psychiatric Clinics of North America	Academic journal
Psychiatr Genet.	Psychiatric Genetics	Academic journal
Psychol Med.	Psychological Medicine	Academic journal
Psychosom Med.	Psychosomatic Medicine	Academic journal
PTSD	Post-traumatic stress disorder	Mental health condition
PVFS	Postviral fatigue syndrome	Alternative term for ME/CFS
PwCFS or PwCFS	Person with/suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	community term
PwF	Person with fatigue	community term
PwME	Person with/suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis	community term

Q

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
QJM	QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, originally Quarterly Journal of Medicine	Academic journal
QMUL	Queen Mary University of London
Qual Life Res.	Quality of Life Research	Academic journal

R

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
RA	Rheumatoid arthritis
RLS	Restless legs syndrome
WED	Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease
RNase-L	Ribonuclease L

S

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
SEID	Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease	Name not in use, but defines the ME/CFS diagnostic criteria used by the CDC since 2017
Semin Neurol.	Seminars in Neurology	Academic journal
SF-36	Short Form 36-Item Health Survey
SIBO	Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth	Sometimes called "leaky gut"
SLE	Systemic lupus erythematosus
SM	Social media
SMEG	Shropshire ME Group
SMC	Science Media Centre	UK group largely funded by industry and Big Pharma groups
SMC	Standard medical care
SMCI	Solve ME/CFS Initiative
Soc Sci Med.	Social Science & Medicine	Academic journal
SOD	Superoxide dismutase
SPECT / SPET	Single-photon emission computed tomography
SNRI	Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor / Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor	Class of anti-depressants
SSRI	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor	Class of anti-depressants

T

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
TATT	Tired All The Time
TCA cycle	tricarboxylic acid cycle or Citric acid cycle
Th / Th1 / Th2	T helper cell
TLR	Toll-like receptor
TMD	Temporomandibular joint disorder
TMJ	Temporomandibular joint disorder
TNFα	TNF-alpha
Treg / Tregs	Regulatory T cell

U

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
UK	United Kingdom
US / USA	United States of America
USAWG	US Action Working Group

V

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
VAS	Visual analog scale
VDR	Vitamin D receptor
VEGF	Vascular endothelial growth factor
VNIH	Vagus nerve infection hypothesis
VZV	Varicella zoster virus

W

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
WAMES	Welsh Association of ME & CFS Support	UK patient group (for Wales)
WG	Working group
WHO	World Health Organization
WPI	Whittemore Peterson Institute

X

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
XMRV	Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus

Y

Abbreviation	Meaning	Notes
YPWC	Young person with chronic fatigue syndrome

two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) - A diagnostic test which involves testing an ME/CFS patient exercising on an exercise machine, while monitoring their respiration, especially oxygen consumption. This test is repeated the following day in order to confirm the patient's inability to replicate the first-day performance. This test is thought to be the most objective way to detect post-exertional malaise.

See two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test.

See Action for ME.

Action for ME (AfME) - Action for ME is a British non-profit organization that was set up in 1987 as The M.E. Action Campaign. Its founders were Martin Lev, Sue Findlay and Clare Francis. In September 1993 it changed its name and logo to Action for ME and Chronic Fatigue. It then changed its name in 1993 to Action for ME.

See Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) - Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is a United States government agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Their mission is "to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. A representative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality sat on the (now disbanded) CFSAC committee as an Ex Officio Member.

Associated New Zealand ME Society (ANZMES) - A New Zealand group for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients and their caregivers.

See Associated New Zealand ME Society.

See All-Party Parliamentary Group on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

All-Party Parliamentary Group on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (APPG) - A British group of backbench members of parliament, from all political parties and from Houses of Commons and Lords, who meet to discuss ME.

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

See Association of Young People with ME.

Association of Young People with ME (AYME) - AYME was a UK national charity supporting children and young people affected by ME/CFS with members under 25. It's lead medical advisor was Doctor Esther Crawley. In April 2017 the charity merged with Action for ME, forming its Children's Services department run by Mary-Jane Willows.

The BMJ (previously the British Medical Journal) is a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal.

BMJ The BMJ (previously the British Medical Journal) is a weekly peer-reviewed medical journal.

biopsychosocial model (BPS) - A school of thought, usually based in psychology, which claims illness and disease to be the result of the intermingling of biological, psychological and social causes. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - A type of psychotherapy geared toward modifying alleged unhealthy thinking, behaviors or illness beliefs. One of the treatment arms used in the controversial PACE trial.

See cognitive behavioral therapy.

See Canadian consensus criteria.

Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC) - A set of diagnostic criteria used to diagnose ME/CFS, developed by a group of practicing ME/CFS clinicians in 2003. The CCC is often considered to be the most complex criteria, but possibly the most accurate, with the lowest number of patients meeting the criteria. Led to the development of the International Consensus Criteria (ICC) in 2011.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

See Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) - Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is another term for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but one which emphasizes the immunological aspects of the disease. Popular in the 1990s, this term has apparently fallen into disuse.

See Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.

See ME/CFS.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee (CFSAC) - (sometimes pronounced SIF-SACK) A US government advisory council that met twice per year, covering current topics related to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Meetings usually lasted for two days and the results were presented to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). After 15 years, on September 5, 2018, CFSAC's charter was not renewed by the Department of HHS, effectively dissolving the committee without notice or warning.

See Chronic fatigue syndrome advisory committee.

UK CFS/ME Research Collaborative (CMRC) - A UK group of researchers and ME/CFS patient groups led by Professor Stephen Holgate. Its launch in 2013 was covered by the Science Media Centre. Since 2014, the collaborative sponsors the CFS/ME Research Collaborative Conference.

cytomegalovirus (CMV) - A common herpesvirus found in humans. Like other herpesviruses, it is a life-long infection that remains in a latent state inside the human body, until it is 'reactivated' by appropriate conditions. CMV infects between 60% to 70% of adults in industrialized countries and close to 100% in emerging countries. Much is unknown about this virus, although it has been found in salivary glands and myeloid blood cells such as monocytes. It has also been linked to the development of certain cancers. Congenital CMV is a leading infectious cause of deafness, learning disabilities, and intellectual disability. A common treatment for CMV is valganciclovir, commonly known as Valcyte.

central nervous system (CNS) - One of the two parts of the human nervous system, the other part being the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that travel from the central nervous system into the various organs and tissues of the body.

See coenzyme Q10.

coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) - Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone) is found in the mitochondria and, as a component of the electron transport chain, plays an important role in aerobic respiration. The chemically-reduced form of CoQ10 is called ubiquinol.

graded exercise therapy (GET) - A gradual increase in exercise or activity, according to a pre-defined plan. Focuses on overcoming the patient's alleged unhelpful illness beliefs that exertion can exacerbate symptoms, rather than on reversing physical deconditioning. Considered controversial, and possibly harmful, in the treatment or management of ME. One of the treatment arms of the controversial PACE trial.

See Graded exercise therapy.

International Consensus Criteria (ICC) - A set of diagnostic criteria, based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria, that argued for the abandonment of the term "chronic fatigue syndrome" and encouraged the sole use of the term "myalgic encephalomyelitis".

See International Consensus Criteria.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

International Classification of Diseases (ICD) - A system of medical diagnostic codes, created by the World Health Organization (WHO), to classify diseases and other health related conditions for the purpose of international diagnostic consistency. By having common diagnostic codes around the world, health researchers are better able to quantify and track disease burdens. The most current version is called ICD-11. (Learn more: www.who.int)

See International Classification of Diseases.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) - An American non-profit, non-governmental organization which provides expert advice to governmental agencies on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine and health. Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

See National Academy of Medicine.

See medically unexplained physical symptoms.

medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) - Technically, this term means that no cause or explanation for the patient's symptoms has yet been found. However, patients diagnosed with "MUPS" are generally lumped into a psychosomatic, or psychologically-caused category by those in the medical profession, without any scientific basis for doing so.

See medically unexplained physical symptoms.

medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) - Technically, this term means that no cause or explanation for the patient's symptoms has yet been found. However, patients diagnosed with "MUPS" are generally lumped into a psychosomatic, or psychologically-caused category by those in the medical profession, without any scientific basis for doing so.

medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) - Technically, this term means that no cause or explanation for the patient's symptoms has yet been found. However, patients diagnosed with "MUPS" are generally lumped into a psychosomatic, or psychologically-caused category by those in the medical profession, without any scientific basis for doing so.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) - An American non-profit, non-governmental organization which provides expert advice to governmental agencies on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine and health. Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

See National Academy of Medicine.

National Academy of Medicine (NAM) - An American non-profit, non-governmental organization which provides expert advice to governmental agencies on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine and health. Formerly known as the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

See National Institutes of Health.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) - A set of biomedical research institutes operated by the U.S. government, under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

orthostatic intolerance (OI) - The development of symptoms when standing upright, where symptoms are relieved upon reclining. Patients with orthostatic intolerance have trouble remaining upright for more than a few seconds or a few minutes, depending upon severity. In severe orthostatic intolerance, patients may not be able to sit upright in bed. Orthostatic intolerance is often a sign of dysautonomia. There are different types of orthostatic intolerance, including postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

PACE trial A controversial study which claimed that CBT and GET were effective in treating "CFS/ME", despite the fact that its own data did not support this conclusion. Its results and methodology were widely disputed by patients, scientists, and the peer-reviewed scientific literature.

post-exertional malaise (PEM) - A notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small physical or cognitive exertions. PEM may be referred to as a "crash" or "collapse" and can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain, trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, and others.

See post-exertional malaise.

post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE) - An alternative term for post-exertional malaise (PEM), used by people who find that the word 'malaise' fails to capture the serious nature of the condition. Used in the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report.

See post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion.

See postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) - A form of orthostatic intolerance where the cardinal symptom is excessive tachycardia due to changing position (e.g. from lying down to sitting up).

somatic symptom disorder A psychiatric term to describe an alleged condition whereby a person's thoughts somehow cause physical symptoms. The actual existence of such a condition is highly controversial, due to a lack of scientific evidence. It is related to other psychiatric terms, such as "psychosomatic", "neurasthenia", and "hysteria". Older terms include "somatization", "somatoform disorder", and "conversion disorder". Such terms refer to a scientifically-unsupported theory that claims that a wide range of physical symptoms can be created by the human mind, a theory which has been criticized as "mind over matter" parapsychology, a pseudoscience.

Acronym for a "Person with ME" (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

PwME Acronym for a "Person with ME" (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) - A term for ME/CFS that aims to avoid the stigma associated with the term "chronic fatigue syndrome", while emphasizing the defining characteristic of post-exertional malaise (PEM). SEID was defined as part of the diagnostic criteria put together by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report of 10 February 2015.

See systemic exertion intolerance disease.

Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) - A 36-item patient-reported questionnaire, used to determine patient health status and quality of life.

See Short Form 36-Item Health Survey.

World Health Organization (WHO) - "A specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group. Its predecessor, the Health Organization, was an agency of the League of Nations." The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) is maintained by WHO.

See World Health Organization.