Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), refers to long-standing severe and disabling fatigue without a proven physical or psychological cause and without objective abnormalities found on physical examination or laboratory testing.
Unexplained fatigue lasts for 6 consecutive months or longer.
Sometimes symptoms begin during or after an illness that resembles a viral infection.
Treatments include relieving symptoms, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and graded exercise.
Although as many as 25% of people report being chronically fatigued, only 0.5% of people (1 in 200) have chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome affects people primarily between the ages of 20 and 50 and is more often described among young and middle-aged women than men, although it has been noted in people of all ages, including children. People with chronic fatigue syndrome have real and often disabling symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome is not the same as pretending to have symptoms (a disorder known as malingering).
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Despite considerable research, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown. Controversy exists as to whether there is a single cause or many causes and whether the cause is physical or mental, but either way the symptoms are very real to the person.
Some researchers believe the syndrome ultimately will prove to have several causes, including genetic predisposition and exposure to microbes, toxins, and other physical and emotional factors.
Infectious diseases
Some studies have suggested infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, or Candida (a yeast) as a possible cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, current research indicates that these infections do not cause this syndrome. In addition, no evidence indicates that other infections (such as infections due to rubella virus, herpesvirus, or human immunodeficiency virus ([HIV]) are related to the syndrome.
Some people who have recovered from COVID-19 infection are "long-haulers" with persistent symptoms. Some of these symptoms are the result of organ damage from the infection and/or treatment, and others may be from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, in some people, COVID-19 seems to trigger typical chronic fatigue syndrome. Currently, there are limited data and information about the long-term effects of COVID-19, so further studies are needed to determine whether some people with delayed recovery develop chronic fatigue syndrome.
Immunologic abnormalities
Some minor abnormalities of the immune system are possible. They can collectively be called immune system dysregulation. However, no abnormalities are specifically characteristic of the disorder. People with chronic fatigue syndrome do not have a medically serious problem with their immune system. People with chronic fatigue syndrome are not immunocompromised and are not at increased risk for infections. No evidence indicates that allergies are the cause, although about 65% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome report previous allergies. No hormonal abnormalities or mental health disorders have been shown to cause chronic fatigue syndrome.
Genetic and environmental factors
Chronic fatigue syndrome seems to run in families, possibly supporting a genetic component or an environmental trigger. Alternatively, members of the same family may respond similarly to physical and psychosocial stress and/or may have been exposed to the same substances.
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Most people who have chronic fatigue syndrome are successful and function at a high level until the disorder begins, usually abruptly, often following a stressful event. The main symptom is fatigue that usually lasts at least 6 months and is severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Severe fatigue is present even on awakening and persists throughout the day. The fatigue often worsens with physical exertion or during periods of psychological stress. However, physical evidence of muscle weakness or of joint or nerve abnormalities is absent. Extreme fatigue may begin during or after recovery from an illness that resembles a viral infection, with a fever, runny nose, and tender or painful lymph nodes. However, in many people, fatigue begins without any such preceding illness.
Other symptoms that may occur are difficulty concentrating and sleeping, sore throat, headache, joint pains, muscle pains, and abdominal pain. Depression is common, particularly when symptoms are severe or worsening. Symptoms often overlap with those of fibromyalgia, a possibly related disorder.
Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Laboratory tests to exclude other causes of symptoms
No laboratory tests are available to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors therefore must rule out other diseases that may cause similar symptoms. Sometimes doctors do tests to rule out disorders such as anemia, electrolyte abnormalities, kidney failure, inflammatory disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis), sleep disorders, or thyroid or adrenal gland disorders. The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is made only if no other cause, including side effects of medications, is found to explain the fatigue and other symptoms.
In 2015, the Institute of Medicine (now the Health and Medicine Division of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) proposed a new name for this disorder, systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID). They also affirmed the validity of this debilitating disorder and simplified the criteria for diagnosis. The criteria require that the person have the following 3 symptoms:
A substantial reduction or impairment in the ability to engage in pre-illness levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities that lasts for more than 6 months and is accompanied by fatigue, which is often profound, is of new or definite onset (not lifelong), is not the result of ongoing excessive exertion, and is not substantially relieved by rest
Symptoms worsened with physical activity
Unrefreshing sleep
At least one of the following manifestations is also required:
Difficulty thinking
Feeling of light-headedness or dizziness when standing up that is relieved by lying down
The frequency and severity of the symptoms should be assessed by a doctor. If people do not have these symptoms at least half of the time with moderate, substantial, or severe intensity, doctors reconsider the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Criteria for diagnosis are important mainly because they help doctors communicate clearly with each other when they study a problem. However, when treating a specific individual, doctors focus more on that person's symptoms rather than the criteria.
Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Graded exercise
Medications for depression, sleep, or pain if indicated
In most cases, symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome lessen over time. However, it often takes years for symptoms to subside, and not all symptoms disappear. People may recover more fully if they focus more on what function they can recover than on how much function they have lost.
Specific symptoms such as pain, depression, and poor sleep are treated. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and gradual graded exercise, which have helped some people, may be worth trying.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is usually a brief course of psychotherapy aimed at redirecting discouraging thoughts that could prevent the positive outlook that can help recovery.
Graded exercise
Excessive periods of prolonged rest cause deconditioning and may actually worsen symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gradual introduction of regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging, under close medical supervision (called a graded exercise program) may reduce fatigue and improve physical function. Formal, structured physical rehabilitation programs may be best.
Medication and alternative therapies
Specific chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms such as pain, depression, and poor sleep are treated.
Many different medications and alternative therapies have been tried to relieve the chronic fatigue itself. Although many treatments, such as antidepressants and corticosteroids, seem to make a few people feel better, none are clearly effective for all. It can be hard for people and doctors to tell which treatments work because symptoms are different in different people and because symptoms may come and go on their own.
Controlled clinical trials, which compare the benefits of a medication to those of a placebo (a substance that is made to resemble a medication but that does not contain an active ingredient), are the best way to test therapies, and no medication therapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in controlled trials. A number of treatments directed at possible causes, including use of interferons, intravenous injections of immune globulin
More Information
The following English-language resources may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of these resources.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): General information about chronic fatigue syndrome and its symptoms and treatment
Committee on the Diagnostic Criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Board on the Health of Select Populations; Institute of Medicine. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2015 Feb 10.
