Definition for
CFS
Chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS) was first defined in 1988 by the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)1 as an
illness of at least six months duration which begins suddenly
with flu-like symptoms, causes a minimum of 50% reduction in
activity, and cannot be explained by alternate medical or
psychiatric diagnoses.
Since that time, research has tried to solve the mysteries
surrounding CFS – such as its causes and prevalence. There
is a long way to go – there is still no laboratory marker or
universal treatment for CFS, but progress is being made.
Diagnosis: In 1994, the CDC revised its CFS case definition.2
Because no simple laboratory test can identify CFS, a
physician must exclude other possible causes of the symptoms
before diagnosing a patient with CFS.
To meet the definition for CFS, a person must have clinically
evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue
that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong), is not
the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially
alleviated by rest and results in substantial reduction in
previous levels of occupational, educational, social or
personal activities. In addition, the person must have at
least four of the following symptoms: substantial impairment
in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender
lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or
redness; headaches
of a new type, pattern, or severity; unrefreshing sleep;
and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. Source |
PS
- What is another definition for CFS?
|
The
CDC's definition of CFS (not CFIDS) is defined by fatigue of
new or definite onset that has not been lifelong and is not
substancially alleviated by rest, along with six months or
more of the following symptoms:
Short term memory or concentration
Sore throat
Tender cervical or axillay lympth
nodes
Muscle pain
Multi-joint pain without swelling or
redness
Headaches of a new type
Unrefreshing sleep
Post exertional malaise lasting more
than 24 hours
The criteria was watered down from the 1988 criteria and is
for research (not clinical) purposes. Many have argued
that the newer CDC guidelines do not eliminate "chronic
fatigue" and prefer the 1988 guidelines.
GWS has not been proven to be the same illness although the
jury is still out. There was one study from Scotland
that showed it could be different and another is in progress
in the US.
There is no marker for CFS although the ciguatera epitope
seems headed that way.
Gail
Kansky
President, National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.
quoted
with permission |
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