Contrasting Case Definitions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Leonard A. Jason, Abigail Brown, Erin Clyne, Lindsey Bartgis, Meredyth Evans, Molly Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article uses data from patients recruited using the 1994 case definition of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to contrast those meeting criteria for the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) Canadian case definition with those that did not meet these criteria. The study also contrasts those meeting criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) based on criteria from Ramsay and other theorists with those that did not meet the ME criteria. The ME/CFS case definition criteria identified a subset of patients with more functional impairments and physical, mental, and cognitive problems than the subset not meeting these criteria. The ME subset had more functional impairments, and more severe physical and cognitive symptoms than the subset not meeting ME criteria. When applied to a population meeting the 1994 CFS case definition, both ME/CFS and ME criteria appear to select a more severe subset of patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)280-304
Number of pages25
JournalEvaluation and the Health Professions
Volume35
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2012

Keywords

  • Fukuda criteria
  • case definition
  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • myalgic encephalomyelitis
  • myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Contrasting Case Definitions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this