Diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): summary of NICE guidance

doi:10.1136/bmj.39302.509005.AE

BMJ 2007;335:446-448 (1 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.39302.509005.AE

Practice

Diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): summary of NICE guidance

R Baker, chair of the guideline group¹, E J Shaw, deputy chief executive²

¹ Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 6TP , ² National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care, Royal College of General Practitioners, London E1 8EW

Correspondence to: E J Shaw cfs_me@rcgp.org.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Why read this summary?

Data from other countries indicate that chronic fatigue syndrome(also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or myalgic encephalopathy)(CFS/ME) is relatively common (affecting at least 0.2-0.4% ofthe population), although good epidemiological data for theUnited Kingdom are lacking. Many different potential aetiologiesfor CFS/ME have been investigated, including neurological, endocrine,immunological, genetic, psychiatric, and infectious, but theaetiology cannot yet be fully explained. CFS/ME can cause prolongedillness and disability and substantially affect patients andtheir families. Although most patients have mild or moderatesymptoms, some have severe CFS/ME and are housebound or evenunable to move from their bed. Uncertainties about diagnosisand management may exacerbate the impact of symptoms, and patientsoften encounter delays in diagnosis and difficulty accessinginformation, support, and potentially helpful therapies.¹ Thisarticle summarises the most recent guidance from the NationalInstitute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) on diagnosingand managing this condition.²

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