Core Documents

ME/CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management – Core Documents

ME/CFS, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, affects 240,000 Australians. It is a multi-factorial multisystem physical condition which is diagnosed in Australian General Practice settings based on standardised clinical criteria. Diagnosis is based on a detailed history, standardised clinical criteria questionnaires and tests to identify disease pathways and overlapping conditions and the causes of physical fatigue.

In recent years, there are some important documents detailing the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) that can inform clinical management and improve health outcomes.

1. International ME/CFS Association Primer for Clinical Practitioners https://www.massmecfs.org/images/pdf/Primer_2014.pdf
2. ME/CFS/PVFS: An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues UK, Shephard and Chaudhuri, 2019 (2020 available from May) https://www.meassociation.org.uk/about-what-is-mecfs/
3. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer – Frontiers in Pediatrics 2017  – http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fped.2017.00121/pdf  
4. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria, Journal of Internal Medicine, – September 2017 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x
5. ME/CFS Advisory Committee Report to NHMRC Chief Executive Officer, 2019. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/mecfs-advisory-committee-report-nhmrc-chief-executive-officer– important Australian document
6. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness – US Institute of Medicine Report 2016 – Full document includes recommendations for fast tracking management and research https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK274235/pdf/Bookshelf_NBK274235.pdf                                   
7. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness – Report Guide for Clinicians – US Institute of Medicine Report, 2015 (20pages) https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/diagnosis/iom-2015-diagnostic-criteria.html
8. Identification and Symptom Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Summary & Guideline 2016 – topalbertadoctors.org – https://actt.albertadoctors.org/CPGs/Pages/Myalgic-Encephalomyelitis-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome.aspx OR Canadian Medical Association – Towards Optimal Practice – https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/all-topics/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
9. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners – An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document 2003, 20 pages – http://mefmaction.com/images/stories/Overviews/Canadian_ME_Overview_A4.pdf
10. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols, Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Carruthers et al. 2003 – Full document,164 pages –  http://mefmaction.com/images/stories/Medical/ME-CFS-Consensus-Document.pdf
11. British Medical Journal Best Practice – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: BMJ-Best-Practice-2017-CFS.pdf – Website: http://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/277
12. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis – Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners – International Consensus Panel 2012 – https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/health-advice/all-topics/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
13. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website link – https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/index.html
14. Australian Fatigue Guidelines – Section on Physiological Fatigue – Access via subscription – September 2017
15. Bateman Horne Centre – https://batemanhornecenter.org/providers/about-me-cfs/
16. US ME/CFS Clinician Coalition – https://mecfscliniciancoalition.org/