scholarly journals Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or What? An Operational Definition

Diagnostics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Twisk
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Neuromuscular Disease ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Neurological Disturbance ◽  
Sensory Functions

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), identified as a new clinical entity with distinctive features in 1956, was originally considered as a neuromuscular disease. In 1988 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced the ill-defined concept of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). As predicted, CFS, unjustly considered to be a synonym for ME, pushed ME to the background. To develop effective therapies for of ME and CFS, it is essential to investigate patients with ME specifically. For that reason, an operational definition of ME is indispensable. This article proposes an operational definition based on the most recent formal definitions and symptoms observed in ME. ME is a multi-systemic illness, which (1) often has a sudden onset, in most cases a respiratory and/or gastro-intestinal infection, but a gradual or more dramatic onset is also possible; (2) has an epidemic and an endemic form; (3) has an unique clinical pattern deviating from other post-viral states; (4) is distinguished by muscle fatigability/prolonged muscle weakness after trivial exertion; (5) is accompanied by symptoms relating to neurological disturbance, especially of cognitive, autonomic, and sensory functions; (6) can be accompanied by symptoms associated with cardiac and other systems; (7) is characterized by fluctuation of symptoms (within and between “episodes”); (8) has a prolonged relapsing course; and (9) has a tendency to become chronic. In conclusion, a discriminative definition for ME contains four mandatory elements: (1) muscle fatigability/post-exertional muscle weakness lasting for days; (2) operational criteria for “neurological disturbance, especially of cognitive, autonomic and sensory functions”; (3) fluctuation of symptoms; and (4) a prolonged relapsing course. This tentative definition of ME justifies the qualification “neuromuscular disease”.

scholarly journals Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or What? The International Consensus Criteria

Diagnostics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Twisk
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Weakness ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Neurological Dysfunction ◽  
International Consensus ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Original Definition ◽  
Partial Overlap ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Hallmark Feature

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a neuromuscular disease with two distinctive types of symptoms (muscle fatigability or prolonged muscle weakness after minor exertion and symptoms related to neurological disturbance, especially of sensory, cognitive, and autonomic functions) and variable involvement of other bodily systems. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), introduced in 1988 and re-specified in 1994, is defined as (unexplained) chronic fatigue accompanied by at least four out of eight listed (ill-defined) symptoms. Although ME and CFS are two distinct clinical entities (with partial overlap), CFS overshadowed ME for decades. In 2011, a panel of experts recommended abandoning the label CFS and its definition and proposed a new definition of ME: the International Consensus Criteria for ME (ME-ICC). In addition to post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), a mandatory feature, a patient must experience at least three symptoms related to neurological impairments; at least three symptoms related to immune, gastro-intestinal, and genitourinary impairments; and at least one symptom related to energy production or transportation impairments to meet the diagnosis of ME-ICC. A comparison between the original definition of ME and the ME-ICC shows that there are some crucial differences between ME and ME-ICC. Muscle fatigability, or long-lasting post-exertional muscle weakness, is the hallmark feature of ME, while this symptom is facultative for the diagnosis under the ME-ICC. PENE, an abstract notion that is very different from post-exertional muscle weakness, is the hallmark feature of the ME-ICC but is not required for the diagnosis of ME. The diagnosis of ME requires only two type of symptoms (post-exertional muscle weakness and neurological dysfunction), but a patient has to experience at least eight symptoms to meet the diagnosis according to the ME-ICC. Autonomic, sensory, and cognitive dysfunction, mandatory for the diagnosis of ME, are not compulsory to meet the ME-ICC subcriteria for ‘neurological impairments’. In conclusion, the diagnostic criteria for ME and of the ME-ICC define two different patient groups. Thus, the definitions of ME and ME-ICC are not interchangeable.

scholarly journals Post-Acute COVID-19 Symptoms, a Potential Link with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A 6-Month Survey in a Mexican Cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 760
Author(s):  
J Antonio González-Hermosillo ◽  
Jhanea Patricia Martínez-López ◽  
Sofía Antonieta Carrillo-Lampón ◽  
Dayanara Ruiz-Ojeda ◽  
Sharon Herrera-Ramírez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Length Of Hospital Stay ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
Definition Of

The aim of this study was to describe the clinical evolution during 6 months of follow-up of adults recovered from COVID-19. We tried to determine how many met the definition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). A total of 130 patients (51.0 ± 14 years, 34.6% female) were enrolled. Symptoms were common, participants reported a median number of 9 (IQR 5–14) symptoms. Fatigue was the most common symptom (61/130; 46.9%). Patients with fatigue were older 53.9 ± 13.5 years compared with 48.5 ± 13.3 years in those without fatigue (p = 0.02) and had a longer length of hospital stay, 17 ± 14 days vs. 13 ± 10 days (p = 0.04). There was no difference in other comorbidities between patients with fatigue and those without it, and no association between COVID-19 severity and fatigue. After multivariate adjustment of all baseline clinical features, only age 40 to 50 years old was positively associated with fatigue, OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.05–6.05) p = 0.03. In our survey, only 17 (13%) patients met the Institute of Medicine’s criteria for “systemic exertion intolerance disease,” the new name of ME/CFS. In conclusion, in some patients, the features of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome overlap with the clinical features of ME/CFS.

scholarly journals Chronic fatigue syndrome

1994 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Lynch
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Operational Definition ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Physical Fatigue ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

“Chronic fatigue syndrome” (Sharpeet al, 1991) is an operational definition for conditions of disabling physical fatigue, of over six months duration, unexplained by primary physical or psychiatric causes. It encompasses nomenclature such as “myalgic encephalomyelitis” (Acheson, 1959), “post-viral fatigue syndrome” (Behanet al, 1985) and “chronic mononucleosis syndrome” (Straus, 1988).

scholarly journals Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Versus Sudden Onset Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonard A. Jason ◽  
Meredyth Evans ◽  
Abigail Brown ◽  
Madison Sunnquist ◽  
Julia L. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

scholarly journals Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Major Impact on Lives of Both Patients and Family Members

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Esme Brittain ◽  
Nina Muirhead ◽  
Andrew Y. Finlay ◽  
Jui Vyas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome

Background and objectives: To explore the impacts that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) has on the patient and their family members using the WHOQOL-BREF (Abbreviated World Health Organisation Quality of Life questionnaire) and FROM-16 (Family Reported Outcome Measure-16) quality of life assessments. Materials and Methods: A quantitative research study using postal questionnaires was conducted. A total of 39 adult volunteers expressed an interest in participating in the study: 24 returned appropriately completed questionnaires. Patients with ME/CFS completed the WHOQOL-BREF and up to four of their family members completed the FROM-16 questionnaire. Results: ME/CFS negatively affects the quality of life of the patient (median scores WHOQOL-BREF: Physical health = 19, Psychological = 44, Social relationships = 37.5, Environment = 56, n = 24) and their family members’ quality of life (FROM-16: Emotional = 9.5, Personal and social = 11.5, Overall = 20.5, n = 42). There was a significant correlation between the patient’s reported quality of life scores and their family members’ mean FROM-16 total scores. Conclusions: This study identifies the major impact that having an adult family member with ME/CFS has on the lives of partners and of other family members. Quality of life of ME/CFS patients was reduced most by physical health compared to the other domains. Quality of life of family members was particularly impacted by worry, family activities, frustration and sadness. This highlights the importance of measuring the impact on the lives of family members using tools such as the FROM-16 in the ME/CFS clinical encounter and ensuring appropriate support is widely available to family members.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document