Skip to main content

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Allison H Ferris, MD and Michael Mamone, Medical Degree Reviewed 04/2024
 


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) [C] require three s...

TREATMENT

  • While large numbers of randomized clinical trials have not been performed, those that have suggest more positive results with nonpharmacologic treatments than pharmacologic treatments (2)[A...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

No consensus exists; periodic reevaluation is appropriate for support, reevaluation, and assessment for other causes of symptoms. 

DIET

  • No particu...

REFERENCES

1
Bateman L, Bested AC, Bonilla HF, et al. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: essentials of diagnosis and management. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021;96(11):2861–2878.
2
Kim DY, Lee JS, ...

ADDITIONAL READING

Gravelsina S, Vilmane A, Svirskis S, et al. Biomarkers in the diagnostic algorithm of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Front Immunol. 2...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Fatigue 

CODES

ICD10

R53.82 Chronic fatigue, unspecified 

SNOMED

52702003 Chronic fatigue syndrome (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Use the IOM criteria for diagnosis.

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

  • No pharmacologic agents (e.g., antidepressants, immune modulators) are con...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×