This page is intended to provide easy access to additional information on clinical diagnosis, diagnostic testing, and treatment of ME/CFS and its key comorbidities. It also provides information on the various support services your patients may require. Finally, it provides links to key reports and to summaries of recent research
Key Reports
In 2015, the National Academy of Medicine issued a pivotal report on ME/CFS that provided the most comprehensive evidence-based review to date. It also established more targeted diagnostic criteria that focus upon the hallmark features of the disease. This report led the CDC to subsequently issue new clinical guidance and the NIH to revitalize its research program. The most prominent publications of this report include the following:
Additional Information on Clinical Management
This section provides additional resources relevant to the diagnosis, testing and management of ME/CFS and its key comorbidities
Translations of 2019 ME/CFS Clinician Coalition Handout on the Basics of Diagnosis and Treatment
From the Bateman Horne Center:
Guidance on Assessing and Managing Various Aspects of ME/CFS
ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents:
2017 ME/CFS Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer
Additional Information on Clinical Management
This section provides additional resources relevant to the diagnosis, testing and management of ME/CFS and its key comorbidities
From the Bateman Horne Center:
Guidance on Assessing and Managing Various Aspects of ME/CFS
ME/CFS in Children and Adolescents
2017 ME/CFS Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer
Translations of the 2019 ME/CFS Clinician Coalition Handout on the Basics of Diagnosis and Treatment
Additional Information on Testing
This section provides resources describing some of the diagnostic testing methods commonly used in ME/CFS. These procedures and tests are not required to establish a diagnosis but can be useful tools that may facilitate its diagnosis and, potentially, its management
Additional Information on Key Comorbidities
ME/CFS is often accompanied by various comorbidities. Identifying and treating these comorbidities can decrease the overall symptom burden and increase a patient’s quality of life. These resources provide information on some of the most common and clinically impactful comorbidities.
Helping Patients Access Disability Support, Accommodations, and General Support
By definition, ME/CFS can cause significant impairment in function which can impede a patient’s ability to work, go to school, or even care for themselves. As many as 75% of adults cannot work and require some type of disability services. Students and those who can work often need accommodations to enable those activities. People with ME/CFS may benefit from mobility devices, handicap parking stickers, and home health aides, even if these accommodations are not required at all times.
The resources in this section may assist you in providing the best possible support for your patient and their families.
Additional Disability Resources
Additional Work Accommodations Resources
From the US Job Accommodations Network (JAN)
Disability
Documenting Disability In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Podell et al, 2020
Medically Documenting Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Cases. Comerford et al. 2019 Includes discussion of disability in children
School and University Accommodations
ME/CFS in Children: CDC Fact Sheets for Educators, School-Based Healthcare Providers, and Parents
Work Accommodations
Recommendations for ME/CFS from US Job Accommodations Network
Helping Patients Access Disability, School Accommodations, and General Support
By definition, ME/CFS can cause significant impairment in function which can impede a patient’s ability to work, go to school, or even care for themselves. As many as 75% of adults can not work and require some type of disability services. Students and those who can work often need accommodations to enable those activities. And people with ME/CFS may benefit from mobility devices, handicap parking stickers, and home health aides, even if these accommodations are not required at all times.
The resources in this section may assist you in providing the best possible support for your patient and their families.
Disability
Documenting Disability In Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Podell et al, 2020
Medically Documenting Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Cases. Comerford et al. 2019 Includes discussion of disability in children
Additional Disability Resources
School and University Accommodations
ME/CFS in Children: CDC Fact Sheets for Educators, School-Based Healthcare Providers, and Parents
Work Accommodations
Recommendations for ME/CFS from US Job Accommodations Network
Additional Work Accommodations Resources
From the US Job Accommodations Network (JAN)
Ongoing Research
The last 5 years have seen a burst of new research and new researchers coming into the field. This section summarizes some of the latest research and provides links to where you can learn more about these research programs
ME/CFS Research Centers and Programs
ME/CFS Organizations Funding Research Programs
Research
The last 5 years have seen a burst of new research and new researchers coming into the field. This section summarizes some of the latest research and provides links to where you can learn more about these research programs