Article Index

2011 Criteria differentiates ME/CFS from other fatiguing illnesses

The authors state that ME "...is a complex disease involving profound dysregulation of the central nervous system...and immune system...dysfunction of cellular energy metabolism and ion transport...and cardiovascular abnormalities...

"Criterial symptoms [in the Consensus Criteria] are supported by a study of more than 2500 patients that determined which symptoms had the greatest efficacy to identify patients with ME...

"Investigations into gene expression...and structure...anomalies including increased oxidative stress...altered immune and adrenergic signaling...," and other identified pathophysiologies provided the basis for the development of the new Criteria.

A further aim of the new Criteria is to provide for a better selection of only those patients afflicted with ME/CFS. A major problem with the 1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CFS Definition and the more recent 2005 Reeves "Empirical Criteria" is that these diagnostic criteria do not adequately separate patients who are depressed from patients with ME.

"Patient sets that include people who do not have the disease lead to biased research findings, inappropriate treatments and waste scarce research funds..." The 2003 Canadian Criteria "differentiate patients with ME from those who are depressed..."

The Canadian Consensus Criteria was used as a "starting point" for the new 2011 Criteria, but significant changes were made, including the diagnostic specifics appropriate to children.