Primer for doctors and researchers

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or ME/CFS. There are many clinical and research definitions, which creates confusion for doctors, researchers, and patients.

It is worth noting that chronic fatigue (without the "syndrome") is not a disease in and of itself, but a symptom of many diseases and drug therapies. This term is not interchangeable with CFS, ME, or ME/CFS.

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What is ME/CFS By Open Medicine Foundation - OMF. Linda Tannenbaum, Founder & CEO/President, talks about ME/CFS and how OMF is leading research and delivering hope (2018)

The core ME/CFS symptoms are: chronic fatigue (CF); post-exertional malaise (PEM); unrefreshing sleep/sleep problems; and cognitive impairment/brain fog and/or orthostatic intolerance (OI).[1][2] A person with ME is likely to have other symptoms as well.[3] Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID), an ME/CFS criteria, allows for a patient to be diagnosed with the minimum core symptoms [4][2]. The Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC) requires the core symptoms along with additional neurological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and immune symptoms.[5] The International Consensus Criteria (ICC) is used to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) which requires the core symptoms and neurological, immune/gastrointestinal/genitourinary impairment, and energy metabolism/ion transport impairment symptoms for a diagnosis.[6]

Although the Fukuda[7] and the Oxford Criteria[8] have been used for diagnosing CFS, they are broader criteria, making misdiagnosis a concern.[9][10][7][11][12] There have been media reports of athletes diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who have recovered in a relatively short period of time after rest, supplementation, and diet changes;[13][14][15][16] these athletes may have had overtraining syndrome (which has the symptom of CF) and not ME or CFS.[17] Some people with anemia, allergies, idiopathic chronic fatigue or other fatiguing illnesses are erroneously diagnosed with CFS.[5]

The acronym ME/CFS is widely used in research, by clinicians, patient organizations, and patients.

"The most common overlapping condition with ME/CFS is fibromyalgia."[18][19] While some have posited ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are variants of the same illness, Benjamin Natelson, MD summoned considerable amounts of data that suggest the two illnesses differ with different pathophysiologic processes leading to different treatments.[20]

Unfortunately, a psychiatric approach has been taken with ME/CFS, but this is changing. At this time there are no approved drug treatments. Graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are used in the UK inappropriately for treating ME/CFS. As of 2021 the GET has been scrapped in the UK [1].

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website states "ME/CFS is a biological illness, not a psychologic disorder" and impacts multiple body systems.[21] The CDC recognizes the hallmark symptom of PEM which is a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity[1] and says ME/CFS is a "disabling and complex disease."[22] 

Diagnostic Algorithm for SEID's minimum ME/CFS core symptoms

Disease onset and course of illness[edit | edit source]

ME/CFS can begin from many acute/sudden[23] events: usually viral or bacterial infections, but also trauma, surgery or childbirth, allergic reaction, and stress.[24] There is also a gradual onset in some people,[23][25] that is not attributed to any one event. Occasionally, ME/CFS has been triggered by environmental toxins or the receipt of an immunizing injection.[26] Some say that the disease ME always has an acute/sudden infectious onset.[27]

The disease ME/CFS is often diagnosed when a person does not recover from a flu-like illness, mononucleosis or another herpesvirus, Q fever, an unidentified virus, or other infection, and meets one or more diagnostic criteria for either ME, CFS, or ME/CFS.[28][29] Patients experience numerous symptoms and disease severity which fluctuate from day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year, and even decade to decade. Furthermore, symptoms and disease severity vary among patients.[30][31][32]

The CDC recognizes that there can be different causes and it is possible that two or more things could cause the illness. Areas of research include infections, immune system changes, stress affecting body chemistry, changes in energy production, and a possible genetic link.[33][21] The CDC notes there are abnormalities with the immune system, cellular metabolism, neuroendocrine disturbances, and blood pressure or heart rate regulation.[21]

Not a mental health disorder[edit | edit source]

In the past, CFS was believed to be a mental health disorder. This is why the CDC now states: "ME/CFS is a biological illness, not a psychologic disorder. Patients with ME/CFS are neither malingering nor seeking secondary gain. These patients have multiple pathophysiological changes that affect multiple systems."[21]

No clear evidence that ME/CFS is contagious[edit | edit source]

Infectious episodes have led to outbreaks over the years and 72% of ME/CFS patients report an onset of a viral or bacterial infection.[34] Nowadays, the vast majority of ME/CFS cases are sporadic rather than epidemic, and although some outbreaks have been caused by known viruses - such as the SARS pandemic and COVID-19 - there is no clear evidence that sporadic ME/CFS cases are contagious.[35]

Families, partners, and friends do not report contracting ME/CFS from someone with the disease nor do patients report passing it on to others.[36] However, Underhill and O'Gorman (2006) researched 219 patients with ME/CFS, and concluded that close household contact and genetics were both risk factors for CFS, finding 3.2% of spouses/partners of those with CFS also had the illness.[37] This was a higher prevalence than all genetic relatives except children of patients. Because ME/CFS can run in families, a genetic link is a line of research recommended by the CDC.[38]

Michael Sikora and collaborators at the Open Medicine Foundation hope that their research on the role of T cells and immune-related genes will help address "whether ME/CFS is an autoimmune or infectious disease, or simply an activation of the immune system".[39]

Blood donation and organ transplant[edit | edit source]

Patients with ME/CFS are banned from donating blood or tissues in the UK by the UK's National Health Service, including patients who have recovered.[40][41] In the United States a temporary ban on donations from ME/CFS patients was put in place due to the research of XMRV as being the infectious trigger of CFS[42][43] and that patients carried the virus.[42] Two papers on XMRV were retracted as it was a laboratory contamination.[44][45] Currently the US American Red Cross no longer have statements barring transfusions or transplants from ME/CFS patients, but patients are expected to be in "good health" which would exclude most.[46] Patient charities discouraged ME/CFS patients from donating blood,[47] but the American Association of Blood Banks advises to either accept or defer donors based on "clinical judgment of the donor's health status".[48]

New Zealand bans blood donation from anyone with ME/CFS.[49] Australia has a prohibition on blood donation as a precaution because it has not been established if ME/CFS could be caused by a transmissible infection.[50]

Mini-Docs[edit | edit source]

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By Jen Brea/TED (2016)

What happens when you have a disease doctors can't diagnose By Jen Brea/TED

Five years ago, TED Fellow Jen Brea became progressively ill with myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, a debilitating illness that severely impairs normal activities and on bad days makes even the rustling of bed sheets unbearable. In this poignant talk, Brea describes the obstacles she's encountered in seeking treatment for her illness, whose root causes and physical effects we don't fully understand, as well as her mission to document through film the lives of patients that medicine struggles to treat.[51][52]

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By Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online (2015)

Invisible Illness - Stories of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome By Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online

This mini documentary reveals 3 stories of people who have been impacted by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a little known disease that affects roughly 836,000-2.5 million people in the U.S. and receives little research funding. They share emotions of treating loved ones with the disease, their frustrations of being ignored by members of society and the healthcare industry and express hopes of treatment and research. Video by Veronica Weber/Palo Alto Online[53]

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By Dr. David Kaufman/Unrest (2018)

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome By Dr. David Kaufman/Unrest

This video on the diagnosis and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome is part of the Unrest Continuing Education module, made available through the American Medical Women’s Association and Indiana University School of Medicine, and in partnership with #MEAction. US medical providers can visit: https://www.unrest.film/cme to register to watch Unrest online for free and receive Continuing Education credit.[54]

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

In the United States, 836,000 - 2.5 million people suffer from ME/CFS. "The total economic costs of ME/CFS are estimated at $17 to $24 billion annually."[2] Some CFS patients can work with job accommodations but 1/3 to 1/2 become unemployed and many rely on SSDI/SSI.[55][56][57]

All races and cultures are afflicted with ME/CFS.[58][59] Children and adolescents are also diagnosed.[60][61]
Like many autoimmune and neuro-immune diseases where mostly women are afflicted,[62] the ME/CFS female/male patient ratio per Capelli et al. is 6:1[63] while the CDC states 4:1.[59]
Pediatric ME/CFS is defined by the CDC[64] and the National Academy of Medicine (NAM)[65] although it is usually diagnosed in adults. [22] "Children below the age of 8 or 9 do not have the symptom pattern of adolescents past puberty. If the onset of the disease occurs during adolescence, the most common time of onset, the pattern is similar to that of adults."[66] The prognosis in adolescents is considered to be better than in adults.[67][35] Children are diagnosed with ME/CFS at three months of illness under SEID and CCC and ME is diagnosed immediately under ICC.[68][2][5][6]
"Worldwide, there may be as many as 17 – 24 million people with ME/CFS."[69] 25% of ME/CFS patients are housebound or bedbound at some point in their illness.[70][71] 90% of patients are undiagnosed.[22]
The prognosis for a patient diagnosed with ME/CFS is considered to be poor with only a minority (a median estimate of 5%) returning to pre-morbid levels of functioning.[72] The majority of patients remains significantly impaired. A substantial improvement however is noted in an estimated 40% of patients.[72][73]

Evidence of a disease[edit | edit source]

Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Symptom presentation varies enormously between individuals. Symptom presentation also varies within individuals, as individuals often report that symptoms change over time (increasing or decreasing) and new symptoms may appear while others disappear.[74] There are many symptoms which people with ME/CFS experience, though those listed below are the core symptoms found in all patients.

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a worsening of ME/CFS symptoms after minimal physical or mental exertion. Worsening symptoms may include chronic fatigue; flu-like symptoms; brain fog, cognitive dysfunction, and word-finding problems; unrefreshing sleep; headaches and migraines; chronic pain; muscle pain and muscle fatigability; orthostatic intolerance, neurally mediated hypotension, or POTS; and more. The onset of PEM can be delayed 24-72 hours and depending on ME/CFS severity can last days, weeks, or even months

.[1]

Rosa age 25 in 1986 and mildly ill with ME/CFS's core symptoms. In 2015 the SEID criteria were released. Rosa read about PEM and how it is delayed and makes ME/CFS symptoms like CF, OI, and cognition worse. Her life since age 17 fell into place as she never connected her worsening symptoms with increased physical or mental activity 24-72 hours prior. She believes not understanding PEM made her illness worsen over the years and is now disabled meeting the CCC with PEM"option"
Brian Vastag is an American and award-winning journalist and an ME/CFS patient that won a disability case against Prudential, proving that PEM is a severe symptom that keeps him from gainful employment
I think #TwoFacesofME is a really important hashtag. We’re only out and about at our best, and our (more frequent) worst often remains hidden. I’m convinced it’s why #MEcfs research funding is so low - the problem isn’t visible enough. I’m seriously ill in both these photos.[75]
First photo, me in my wheelchair on a rare trip out. Second photo, the inevitable crash. Eye half closed, slurred speech, dizzy, weak, etc. #TwoFacesofME[76]
#TwoFacesofME First photo from the morning, the other one from the afternoon ( when I failed to nap 30-60 minutes). I am Not severely ill, and my life is ok, even [so] I wish that one day science will help me & all the #MeCfs sufferers around the globe.[77]
  • Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is the hallmark symptom of ME/CFS. After physical or mental exertion (which for some patients can be a shower or making out a to-do list, others grocery shopping, socializing or reading a news article, while some just walking to the mailbox, getting to the doctor or mentally following a T.V. program)[3][78][79] there is a payback of worsening ME/CFS symptoms which can be delayed 24-72 hours or more[80][81][82] and can last 24 hours and even days, weeks, or months.[83][84] The patient will experience even greater fatigue as well as exasperate the flu-like symptoms and body pain. Every patient experiences different symptoms and symptom severity from different activities and exertion output according to how sick he or she is with the disease.[3][78][79] Regarding PEM the CFIDS Association of America states:

This is a term which describes a symptom in which exercise or exertion can bring on malaise (illness). In the case of people with ME/CFS, malaise often occurs during a period some 24-72 hours after exertion. For example, in some cases, a short walk can worsen ME/CFS symptoms two days later. This lack of understanding about the delayed onset of symptoms has, in the past, made it harder to test for ME/CFS. Follow up tests, taken less than 24 hours after an initial exercise test, may show that the patient can still perform activities at the same level (before post exertional malaise has a chance to take hold).[85]

Other possible symptoms[edit | edit source]

Comorbids[edit | edit source]

Government guides on symptoms[edit | edit source]

US Government guides on symptoms

Canada guides on symptoms

Biological abnormalities[edit | edit source]

Because there is currently no biomedical test for ME/CFS, many have incorrectly assumed that there are no medical abnormalities found in people with the disease. As a result, ME/CFS symptoms are often considered to be medically unexplained, and therefore psychological in origin. While it is true that the disease is poorly understood, many biological abnormalities have been found in a range of different body systems, particularly in the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, immune system, and energy metabolism.[87] Unfortunately, none have yet proved to be specific enough to ME/CFS as to be useful as a biomarker of the illness, and many were identified in small studies, which need replication. Whilst there have been abnormalities identified to be associated with the illness, it cannot yet be determined whether these are a cause or consequence of the illness.

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

  • 2014, Neuroinflammation Japanese Neuroinflammation study,[89] Younger's Leptin study[90]
  • 2014, Right Arcuate Fasciculus Abnormality in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome[91]

Bilateral white matter atrophy is present in CFS. No differences in perfusion were noted. Right hemispheric increased FA may reflect degeneration of crossing fibers or strengthening of short-range fibers. Right anterior arcuate FA may serve as a biomarker for CFS.

Top scans: Healthy control patient; Bottom scans: chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patient. Image By: Michael Zeineh

Causes & triggers[edit | edit source]

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Prevalence estimates for ME/CFS range between 0.2-2.5%, depending on the definition of the illness used.[6] In the US, estimates range between 836,000 and 2.5 million people with the illness, though true numbers are under-reported. It is estimated that 84-91% of people with the illness remain undiagnosed.[87]

  • Level of disability (eg, Norwegian study HRQoL by Hvidberg, 2015) suggests quality of life is LOWER than for many cancers, heart diseases, brain stroke, diabetes I & II, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure, sclerosis, schizophrenia, COPD, etc)[94]

Severely ill patients[edit | edit source]

Considerable variation exists in the severity of the illness. The International Consensus Criteria lists the following severity levels (it should be noted that even "mild" ME/CFS consists of significant debility):

  • Mild = 50% reduction in pre-illness activity levels
  • Moderate = mostly housebound
  • Severe = mostly bedridden
  • Very Severe = totally bedridden, and needing help with basic functions.

At least 25% of people with ME/CFS are bed-bound or housebound, often for years or even decades, so are largely an invisible population.[87] So invisible in fact, that they have rarely been included as part of research because their level of debility precludes them from traveling to laboratories for required testing. The Open Medicine Foundation's ME/CFS Severely Ill, Big Data Study will be the first in-depth study of people with a severe form of ME/CFS.

Notable patients with severe ME/CFS include Whitney Dafoe, Karina Hansen (had been sanctioned), Laura Hillenbrand, Tom Kindlon, Doctor Speedy, Naomi Whittingham, Jen Brea, and Emma Shorter.

Though uncommon, there have been instances of deaths which have been attributed to the disease. (See: Sophia Mirza and Merryn Crofts.) Also, see Vanessa Li and Lynn Gilderdale.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)[edit | edit source]

  • Jul 12, 2018, the "Information for Healthcare Providers" tab and its sub-tabs were updated.[97][98]
  • Feb 25, 2019, Dr. Elizabeth Unger, Chief of CDC's Chronic Viral Disease Branch (CVDB), that houses the ME/CFS program, in collaboration between Medscape and the CDC put out brief video and commentary page with links to the CDC's July 12th, 2018 updates for medical professionals: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: It's Real, and We Can Do Better.[99]

MEAction input

Tests[edit | edit source]

Treatments[edit | edit source]

There are currently no FDA approved treatments for ME/CFS. Treatments consist mostly of symptom management, rather than treatment of the underlying cause of the condition, which is not yet understood.[100] There are many potential treatments, though their evidence-base is limited, as most research into treatments has gone into psychological approaches to treatment.

Drugs[edit | edit source]

Ampligen

Two treatments that have garnered much attention are Ampligen, produced by AIM ImmunoTech, and Rituximab. Many people have reported benefit from Ampligen;[101]

Attempts to obtain FDA approval for Ampligen in the United States have failed so it is unavailable to many.[102] Argentina approved the use of Ampligen for severe ME/CFS in 2016.[103][104] Also in 2016, it was made available on a limited basis in Europe.[105] In July of 2018, AIM ImmunoTech announced the expansion of its Treatment Protocol/Expanded Access Programs (compassionate use) for ME/CFS in the United States, known as AMP-511, to new patients.[106] AMP-511 "will allow treatment of up to 100 ME/CFS patients at any one time at approved clinical infusion therapy sites."[107] The most recent Ampligen trial was published in 2020.[108]

Rituximab, a lymphoma drug, had shown promising results in initial trials in Norway,[109] and there were groups crowdsourcing funding for further trials in other countries. In 2017, Drs. Øystein Fluge and Olav Mella announced that their Rituximab trial had failed. They stated that they would focus their efforts on attempting to identify a subgroup of ME/CFS patients with an immune profile that would be responsive to Rituximab.[110] A phase III trial published in 2019 showed Rituximab did not improve ME/CFS.[111]

Jarred Younger announced he will be undertaking a trial of low dose naltrexone (LDN) in ME/CFS.[112]

Treating other conditions[edit | edit source]

Different forms of OI are treated with beta-blockers (Metopropol), Fludrocortisone (Florinef), and Pyridostigmine.[113] When treating other diseases, illnesses, and conditions, and ME/CFS comorbidities or overlapping conditions such as sleep difficulties, cognitive problems, pain, and other symptoms it is important to remember that patients are sensitive to medications.[114] The CDC advice to health care practitioners is to be aware that because all drugs can cause side effects, ME/CFS patient symptoms can worsen. "This is particularly true of any medication that acts on the central nervous system, such as sedating medications: therapeutic benefits can often be achieved at lower-than-standard doses. Patients with ME/CFS might tolerate or need only a fraction of the usual recommended doses for medications. After initial management with lower dosing, one or more gradual increases may be considered as necessary and as tolerated by the patient."[114] For instance, tricyclic drugs can improve mood and help with sleep and pain. However, in some in can worsen OI.[114][5]

Exercise as treatment[edit | edit source]

Jennifer Brea is an American who was studying at Harvard; while on a trip to Kenya she became very ill with what would eventually be diagnosed as ME/CFS. Brea began experiencing neurological problems. Her neurologist diagnosed her with "conversion disorder" (hysteria). When walking home from his office, she collapsed. Jen then needed to use a wheelchair, keeping her legs up due to POTS as her blood pools into her legs

Two common treatment recommendations for ME/CFS are GET and CBT. These treatments are based on the disproven hypothesis that the illness might have begun with a viral infection but has been perpetuated by deconditioning from lack of activity, and fear and avoidance of activity. GET and CBT are aimed at addressing these hypothesized causes by challenging the unhelpful thoughts that are claimed to result in avoidance of activity, and by increasing fitness through a gradual increase in exercise. These treatments are controversial and are at odds with much of the research literature, which provides evidence that exercise is harmful to people with ME/CFS. A large patient survey of treatment responses found that 74% of people who had tried GET, reported that their symptoms subsequently worsened,[115] which is consistent with other patient surveys.[116]

The PACE trial, published in 2011, is the largest GET trial ever conducted. It has received much publicity as a result of its recovery rate claims, though it has come under strong criticism from within both the scientific and patient community for significant flaws in its design, and for overstating (and in some cases misrepresenting) outcomes in both the initial trial, and follow-up studies.[117] The study was the subject of a series of investigative pieces by journalist David Tuller in late 2015, that were highly critical of the trial.[118] A petition signed by almost 12,000 ME/CFS patients and allies,[119] and an open letter signed by 42 ME/CFS experts from around the world,[120] were sent to The Lancet, both calling for the data to be reanalyzed. Twenty-four ME/CFS organizations from 14 different countries have written to Queen Mary University London requesting that the trial data be released for reanalysis.[121] To date, the authors of the trial and editor of The Lancet have refused such requests. Despite such criticism, the PACE trial continues to influence both government and the medical profession's approach to the treatment of ME/CFS in many countries.

One of the reasons that exercise may be harmful to people with ME/CFS, is the presence of post-exertional malaise (PEM), which is an exacerbation of symptoms following physical, mental or even emotional exertion. Studies have revealed immunological, muscular, neurological, autonomic and cardiovascular abnormalities in response to exercise in people with ME/CFS. As these results are not also found in healthy sedentary people, the adverse effects of exercise cannot be said to be due to deconditioning.[122][citation needed][citation needed]

People with ME/CFS should approach exercise with caution, as there is much potential for harm.

Anaerobic threshold, use of heart rate monitors for activity and pacing. Analeptic, not aerobic. Energy envelope/pacing - people do better if stay within their envelope than to push to increase activity

Graded exercise therapy & Cognitive behavioral therapy[edit | edit source]

Emma Shorter, is a citizen of Scotland. Here, she gives testimony before Parliament's Petitions Committee on GET and how it put her in a wheelchair

GET and CBT are usually employed in the UK, Ireland and some parts of Europe through ME Clinics. They are highly controversial and not recommended by patients, most patient advocates, and research organizations nor by many doctors or researchers outside of the UK. Based on the disproven biopsychosocial model of ME/CFS, backed up by the flawed PACE trial which used the flawed Oxford criteria to diagnose and recruit patients, GET and CBT found its way into treating people with ME/CFS.

Exercise, especially GET, can harm an ME/CFS patient further.

Claims of recovery and cures[edit | edit source]

Charlatans claim they can cure CFS (per the CDC "there is no cure"[123]) when in reality they may be able to treat chronic fatigue (CF) which is not the result of the neurological illness CFS. Some people misdiagnosed and "recovered" from CFS most likely had CF which can be caused by many illnesses, diseases, and drug therapies or a bad year or two perhaps with mononucleosis followed by a bout or two of influenza. These individuals were experiencing a proper immune response whereas ME/CFS patients experience an ongoing improper immune response and other abnormalities for at least 6 months straight with a reduction in activity with a specific symptom set for at least 50% of the time.[21][124][125]

Additionally, there have been media reports of some professional or amateur athletes diagnosed with CFS that recovered in a relatively short period of time after rest, supplementation, and diet changes [13][14][15][16] that may have had overtraining syndrome,[17] while some people with Addison's disease (adrenal failure) are erroneously diagnosed with CFS.[113][5]

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

Continuing education (CME and CE)[edit | edit source]

History[edit | edit source]

Deaths of ME/CFS patients[edit | edit source]

Death certificates with ME or CFS

In the UK, United States, and Australia there are further reports of loved ones who have died due to ME/CFS.[130] See Editor's Note[131]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

Films

Forgotten Plague.jpeg
Unrest.jpg

ME/CFS organization's and researcher's material

Patient mental health

Patients who were deemed as suffering from mental health rather than a biological illness:
  • Karina Hansen is a young Danish woman taken from her family for 3 1/2 years due to Per Fink's insistence her ME was due to mental health issues.
  • Sophia Mirza was taken forcibly from her home to a mental hospital only to be returned shortly after; she then died of ME.
  • Ean Proctor was taken from his parents as a young boy and he was told his "parents were letting him die." He had become paralyzed and mute and was let go in the deep end of a pool to make him swim, and put on a scary theme park ride to scare him into moving.

More mental health information

Research

Articles and blogs

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Symptoms of ME/CFS | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Redefining an Illness | Clinicians' Guide" (PDF). National Academies. 2015. pp. 9–10.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "What is ME/CFS?". Open Medicine Foundation. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness - Diagnostic Algorithm". nationalacademies.org. 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Carruthers, Bruce M.; Jain, Anil Kumar; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Peterson, Daniel L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Lerner, A. Martin; Bested, Alison C.; Flor-Henry, Pierre; Joshi, Pradip; Powles, AC Peter; Sherkey, Jeffrey A.; van de Sande, Marjorie I. (2003). "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols" (PDF). Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 11 (2): 7–115. doi:10.1300/J092v11n01_02.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Carruthers, Bruce M.; van de Sande, Marjorie I.; De Meirleir, Kenny L.; Klimas, Nancy G.; Broderick, Gordon; Mitchell, Terry; Staines, Donald; Powles, A.C. Peter; Speight, Nigel; Vallings, Rosamund; Bateman, Lucinda; Baumgarten-Austrheim, Barbara; Bell, David; Carlo-Stella, Nicoletta; Chia, John; Darragh, Austin; Jo, Daehyun; Lewis, Donald; Light, Alan; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya; Mena, Ismael; Mikovits, Judy; Miwa, Kunihisa; Murovska, Modra; Pall, Martin; Stevens, Staci (August 22, 2011). "Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria". Journal of Internal Medicine. 270 (4): 327–338. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x. ISSN 0954-6820. PMC 3427890. PMID 21777306.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fukuda, K.; Straus, S.E.; Hickie, I.; Sharpe, M.C.; Dobbins, J.G.; Komaroff, A. (December 15, 1994). "The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group" (PDF). Annals of Internal Medicine. American College of Physicians. 121 (12): 953–959. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-121-12-199412150-00009. ISSN 0003-4819. PMID 7978722.
  8. ↑ Sharpe, M C; Archard, L C; Banatvala, J E; Borysiewicz, L K; Clare, A W; David, A; Edwards, RH; Hawton, KE; Lambert, HP (February 1991). "A report--chronic fatigue syndrome: guidelines for research". Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 84 (2): 118–121. ISSN 0141-0768. PMC 1293107. PMID 1999813.
  9. ↑ Chronic Fatigue Versus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - About.com Health - By: Carol Eustice
  10. ↑ "What Does a True ME Definition Look Like?". MEadvocacy.org. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  11. ↑ US NIH Report Calls for UK Definition of ME/CFS to be Scrapped - The Argus Report By: Penny Swift
  12. ↑ Spotila, Jennie; Dimmock, Mary (August 16, 2016). "AHRQ Evidence Review Changes Its Conclusions". occupyme.net. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Tanner, Claudia (2018). "Marathon runner forced to quit work after developing ME claims diet change gave him his life back". iNews.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Broadbent, Rick (December 2, 2017). "Muslim fighter with ME who left an arranged marriage to win world". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Park, Andy; O'Halloran, Clare. "Committee reviews 'potentially harmful and old fashioned' chronic fatigue treatments". ABC News. 6mins 18s.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Broadbent, Rick (February 27, 2019). "Nathan Douglas: London 2012 was the darkest period of my life". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Spence, Vance. "Snippets | A presentation by MERGE Chairman Dr Vance Spence on 12 November 2005 at the Oak Tree Court Conference Centre, Coventry, at the invitation of the Warwickshire Network for ME". Irish M.E. Association.
  18. ↑ "Overlapping Conditions - American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society". American Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Society. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  19. ↑ Jason, Leonard; Taylor, R.R.; Kennedy, C.L.; Song, S; Johnson, D; Torres, S.R. (January 1, 2001). "Chronic fatigue syndrome: Comorbidity with fibromyalgia and psychiatric illness". Medicine and Psychiatry. 4: 29–34.
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chronic fatigue (CF) - Persistent and abnormal fatigue is a symptom, not an illness. It may be caused by depression, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or many other illnesses. The term "chronic fatigue" should never be confused with the disease chronic fatigue syndrome.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

relating to hormones that influence the nervous system[1]

neuroendocrine relating to hormones that influence the nervous system

(HR) - the number of times the heart beats within a certain time period, usually a minute[2]

heart rate (HR) - the number of times the heart beats within a certain time period, usually a minute

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.

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.

flare-up A symptoms flare in ME/CFS is a temporary increase in symptoms, alternatively known as experiencing post-exertional malaise. May be referred to as a "crash" or "collapse".

See post-exertional malaise.

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 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).

A decrease in size or wasting away of a body part, e.g. muscle wasting or progressive decline.[3] (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

atrophy A decrease in size or wasting away of a body part, e.g. muscle wasting or progressive decline. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

cytokine any class of immunoregulatory proteins secreted by cells, especially immune cells. Cytokines are small proteins important in cell signaling that modulate the immune system. (Learn more: me-pedia.org)

involving, related to or in the area of the kidneys[4]

renal involving, related to or in the area of the kidneys

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.

phase three Last phase of clinical trials before a drug can be approved for public use. Whereas Phase one assesses basic safety, and Phase two assesses basic efficacy, Phase three uses many trial participants to fully assess both safety and efficacy, and overall benefit/risk.

β β / Β. Greek letter beta (a symbol used in science), equivalent to "b".

cognition Thought processes, including attention, reasoning, and memory.

adverse reaction Any unintended or unwanted response to a treatment, whether in a clinical trial or licensed treatment. May be minor or serious.

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.

See somatic symptom disorder.

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.

heart rate monitor (HRM) - A device that measures your heart rate (pulse rate). Heart rate monitors may come as a chest strap, wrist strap, smartwatch, or even as a mobile phone app. Heart rate monitors are often used by ME/CFS patients to pace their exertion, in order to avoid post-exertional malaise (PEM). For more information, see pacing with a heart rate monitor.

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.

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.

Institute of Medicine report (IOM report) - A report that was commissioned by the U.S. government and was published by the Institute of Medicine on February 10, 2015. The report was titled "Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness" and proposed the term Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID). Among its key findings were that "This disease is characterized by profound fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleep abnormalities, autonomic manifestations, pain, and other symptoms that are made worse by exertion of any sort." The report further stated "Between 836,000 and 2.5 million Americans suffer from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome."

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.

chronic disease a disease or condition that usually lasts for 3 months or longer and may get worse over time. Chronic diseases are long-term (typically incurable and requiring long-term management) but are not necessarily severe.

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).

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.

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