Preprint
Date: July 2011
URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria
-----------------------------------------------------------
Bruce M Carruthers MD, CM, FRCP(C), Marjorie I van de
Sande BEd, Kenny L De Meirleir MD, PhD, Nancy G Klimas
MD, Gordon Broderick PhD, Terry Mitchell MA, MD, FRCPath,
Don Staines MBBS, MPH, FAFPHM, FAFOEM, AC Peter Powles
MRACP, FRACP, FRCP(C), ABSM, Nigel Speight MA, MB, BChir,
FRCP, FRCPCH, DCH, Rosamund Vallings MNZM, MB, BS, MRCS,
LRCP, Lucinda Bateman MS, MD, Barbara Baumgarten-
Austrheim MD, David S Bell MD, FAAP, Nicoletta Carlo-
Stella MD, PhD, John Chia MD, Austin Darragh MA, MD,
FFSEM. (RCPI, RCSI), FRSHFI Biol I (Hon), Daehyun Jo MD,
PhD, Don Lewis MD, Alan R Light PhD, Sonya Marshall-
Gradisbik PhD, Ismael Mena MD, Judy A Mikovits PhD,
Kunihisa Miwa MD, PhD, Modra Murovska MD, PhD, Martin L
Pall PhD, Staci Stevens MA
Abstract
The label 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (CFS) has persisted
for many years because of lack of knowledge of the
etiological agents and of the disease process. In view of
more recent research and clinical experience that strongly
point to widespread inflammation and multisystemic
neuropathology, it is more appropriate and correct to use
the term 'myalgic encephalomyelitis' (ME) because it
indicates an underlying pathophysiology. It is also
consistent with the neurological classification of ME in
the World Health Organization's International
Classification of Diseases (ICD G93.3). Consequently, an
International Consensus Panel consisting of clinicians,
researchers, teaching faculty and an independent patient
advocate was formed with the purpose of developing
criteria based on current knowledge. Thirteen countries
and a wide range of specialties were represented.
Collectively, members have approximately 400 years of
both clinical and teaching experience, authored hundreds
of peer reviewed publications, diagnosed or treated
approximately 50,000 ME patients, and several members
coauthored previous criteria. The expertise and experience
of the panel members as well as PubMed and other medical
sources were utilized in a progression of suggestions/
drafts/reviews/revisions. The authors, free of any
sponsoring organization, achieved 100% consensus through
a Delphi type process.
The scope of this paper is limited to criteria of ME and
their application. Accordingly, the criteria reflect the
complex symptomatology. Operational notes enhance
clarity and specificity by providing guidance in the
expression and interpretation of symptoms. Clinical and
research application guidelines promote optimal
recognition of ME by primary physicians and other health
care providers, improve consistency of diagnoses in
adult and paediatric patients internationally, and
facilitate clearer identification of patients for
research studies.
--------
(c) 2011 The Association for the Publication of the Journal of
Internal Medicine
---------------------------------------------
Send posts to CO-CURE@listserv.nodak.edu
Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm
Too much mail? Try a digest version. See http://www.co-cure.org/digest.htm
---------------------------------------------
Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of
opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or
FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or
political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to
research the various opinions available before assuming any one
interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a
link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central
importance to the issues of our community.
---------------------------------------------
