Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS

• World Health Organisation (WHO) classified since 1969:
  Neurological disorder – ICD 10, G.93.3
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) classified since 1997:
  National Center for Infectious Diseases
  Priority 1 Disease of Public Health Importance

ME/CFS is a broad diagnosis which includes clinical syndromes linked to known infectious agents including Ross River virus, Epstein Barr virus, Q fever, Lyme disease, Parvovirus B19 and toxic exposures such as organophosphates. These syndromes are characterized by neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and myoarthralgic symptoms. Severe forms can present with paresis, seizures, intractable savage headache, and life threatening complications.

The renaming to chronic fatigue syndrome in 1988, giving misplaced emphasis to "fatigue", trivialises the substantial disability of ME/CFS which can extend to the wheelchair or bedbound, requiring 24 hour care.

Strong evidence of genetic predisposition, persistent infection and immune dysregulation is accumulating.

US Centers for Disease Control research reports (AACFS Conference 2004):

• ME/CFS patients are more sick and have far greater disability than patients with cardiac disease, chronic obstructive lung disease and depression
• fewer than 16% of sufferers in the general population are diagnosed
• Psychological factors play no role in the development of postinfectious ME/CFS