Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a complex, long-term illness characterized by profound fatigue that is not relieved by rest and worsens with physical or mental exertion. Other common features include unrefreshing sleep, cognitive difficulties, and post-exertional malaise, in which symptoms intensify after activity. Its underlying cause is not fully understood, and diagnosis rests on a pattern of symptoms after other explanations have been excluded.
Facts
Classification
ICD-10 ChapterVI: Diseases of the Nervous System 1 Communicable or Non-communicable Transmission Route Partially Attested
First DescribedInitial case definition of CFS dated to 1988; the related term myalgic encephalomyelitis arose from a 1950s outbreak. Condition ClassChronic disabling illness 3 Disputed
Prevalence0.89% globally under the 1994 CDC criteria; 0.17% under stricter criteria 3 Connections
Associated With
Complex multisystem condition with no single owning subspecialty; managed under internal medicine.
Treated By
Source Graded exercise therapy (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Wikipedia: ICD-10
WikipediaList of chapters, Chapter VIQuote, List of chapters, Chapter VI
Diseases of the nervous system
2. Wikipedia: Non-communicable disease
WikipediaLead section, transmission-route statement (inferred from disease-category)
NCDs include Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others.
Named examples section
NCDs include Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others.
View the Source 3. Wikipedia: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome
Lead section, first sentence
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disabling chronic illness.
History section
An initial case definition of CFS was outlined in 1988
Epidemiology section
Based on the 1994 CDC diagnostic criteria, the global prevalence rate for CFS is 0.89%. In comparison, estimates using the stricter 1988 CDC criteria or the 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS produced a prevalence rate of only 0.17%.
View the SourceGraded exercise therapy (Wikipedia)
Treated By: Graded Exercise Therapy, Lead: treats Chronic Fatigue SyndromeQuote, Treated By: Graded Exercise Therapy, Lead: treats Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Graded exercise therapy (GET) is a programme of physical activity that starts very slowly and gradually increases over time, intended as a treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is chronic fatigue syndrome?
About 0.89 percent under the 1994 CDC criteria, or about 0.17 percent under stricter criteria.
Estimates of chronic fatigue syndrome vary by which diagnostic criteria are used. Under the 1994 CDC criteria, the global prevalence rate is about 0.89 percent, while the stricter 1988 CDC criteria or the 2003 Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS produce a prevalence rate of only about 0.17 percent.
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