The Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is a severe and disabling condition lasting for more than 6 months and featuring fatigue, symptoms commonly associated with viral infection, and neurocognitive problems. The cause is unknown, and the syndrome overlaps other conditions such as chronic depression, endocrine disorders and chronic infections. The diagnosis of a patient requires that certain criteria be met.
Major Criteria:
(1) persistent or relapsing fatigue or easy fatigability that does not resolve with bed rest and is severe enough to reduce average daily activity by >= 50%
(2) satisfactory exclusion of other chronic conditions, including pre-existing psychiatric diseases
Minor Criteria:
(1) mild fever (37.5-38.6 degrees Centigrade oral, if documented by patient) or chills
(2) sore throat
(3) lymph node pain in the anterior or posterior cervical or axillary chains
(4) unexplained, generalized muscle weakness
(5) muscle discomfort, myalgia
(6) prolonged ( >= 24 hours) generalized fatigue after previously tolerable levels of exercise (post-exertional weakness)
(7) new, generalized headaches
(8) migratory, noninflammatory arthralgia
(9) neuropsychiatric symptoms: photophobia, transient visual scotomata, forgetfulness, excessive irritability, confusion, difficulty thinking, inability to concentrate, depression
(10) sleep disturbances
(11) patient's description of initial onset of symptoms as acute or subacute
Physical Findings (must be documented by a physician at least twice, each >= 1 month apart):
(1) low-grade fever (37.6-38.6 degrees Centigrade oral, 37.8-38.8 degrees Centigrade rectal)
(2) nonexudative pharyngitis
(3) palpable or tender anterior or posterior cervical or axillary lymph nodes ( < 2 cm in diameter)
Diagnosis of the Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome - one or both of the following:
(1) (2 of 2 major criteria) AND (>= 6 minor criteria ) AND (>= 2 physical criteria)
(2) (2 of 2 major criteria) AND (>= 8 minor criteria)
