Definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In order to resolve the controversies associated with varying definitions of CFS, an international panel of health professionals with expertise in the area of CFS research in 1994 gathered to arrive at a specific definition that would be helpful in the diagnosis and research of CFS. It was agreed that a diagnosis of CFS should be made only if the patients satisfied the two criteria, mentioned below:
Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis; and Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have predated the fatigue.
Source: Medline Plus: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
chronicfatiguesyndrome.html
