Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta published diagnostic guidelines for chronic fatigue syndrome in 1994. To meet CDC criteria, patients must have the following symptoms:

o Severe, unexplained fatigue not relieved by rest. Fatigue must have an identifiable onset. In addition, it must be persistent or relapsing fatigue that lasts for at least six or more consecutive months.

o Four or more of the following:

o impaired memory or concentration problems;

o tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes in eck region;

o sore throat;

o muscle pain;

o new onset tension-type or migraine headaches;

o unrefreshing or disturbed sleep;

o multijoint pain that is not arthritis;

o post-extertional malaise, or fatigue, pain, and flu-like symptoms after exercise.

(Editor's note: The CDC's 1994 guidelines were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine 1994; 121:953-959. The guidelines can also be downloaded from the World Wide Web at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/defined.htm.)