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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Grant M. Reed, DO and Siddharth Jain, B.A. Reviewed 06/2021
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A chronic and complex physical illness characterized by a new or definitive onset of debilitating fatigue that persists for >6 months with moderate to severe intensity at least ha...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

A thorough medical history and psychosocial history is required for an accurate diagnosis. The 2015 diagnostic criteria proposed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (1) require three ...

TREATMENT

  • No treatment has been proven effective by large randomized trials; recommendations are based on expert opinion and standard symptom management (e.g., sleep disturbances, depression, and pain...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

Although no consensus exists, periodic reevaluation is appropriate for support, relief of symptoms, and assessment for other possible causes of ...

REFERENCES

1
Committee on the Diagnostic Criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Board on the Health of Select Populations; Institute of Medicine. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyeli...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Fatigue 

CODES

ICD10

R53.82 Chronic fatigue, unspecified 

SNOMED

52702003 Chronic fatigue syndrome (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • No pharmacologic agents (e.g., antidepressants, immune modulators) are consistently effective in treating CFS.

  • There are many more patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue than true CFS...

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