The International Consensus Criteria (ICC) provides clinical guidance to diagnose and manage Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.), and to differentiate M.E. patients from a broader set of patients suffering from other conditions where fatigue may be present.
These diagnostic criteria are essential to ensure appropriate medical treatment, as “No other fatiguing disease has ‘chronic fatigue’ attached to its name” (Carruthers et al., 2011, p 328). This distinction also ensures consistency and integrity in ME/CFS research.
The ICC distinguishes the severity of ME/CFS in the following terms:
- mild: approximately 50% reduction in activity
- moderate: mostly housebound
- severe: mostly bed bound
- very severe: bedbound and dependent on help for physical functions
MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS – Adult & Paediatric:
International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners
Carruthers et al writes “The ICP was written to provide clinicians a one-stop, user-friendly reference for ME. It includes a concise summary of current pathophysiological findings upon which the ICC are based. A comprehensive clinical assessment and diagnostic worksheet enables clear and consistent diagnosis of adult and paediatric patients world-wide. The treatment and management guidelines offer a blueprint for a personalized, holistic approach to patient care, and include non pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical suggestions. Patient self-help strategies provide recommendations for energy conservation, diet, and more. Educational considerations for children are included.
The ICP specifically targets primary care clinicians, as well as specialists in internal medicine. Other medical care practitioners may find it helpful. Medical school faculties are encouraged to include this primer in their curriculum.” (Carruthers et al., 2012, International Consensus Primer, pg 6)
References
Carruthers, B. M., van de Sande, M. I., De Meirleir, K. L., Klimas, N. G., Broderick, G., Mitchell, T., Staines, D., Powles, A. C. P., Speight, N., Vallings, R., Bateman, L., Baumgarten‐Austrheim, B., Bell, D. S., Carlo‐Stella, N., Chia, J., Darragh, A., Jo, D., Lewis, D., Light, A. R., . . . Stevens, S. (2011). Myalgic encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria. Journal of Internal Medicine, 270(4), 327–338. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x
Carruthers, BM; van de Sande, MI; De Meirleir, KL; Klimas, NG; Broderick, G; Mitchell, T; Staines, D; Powles, ACP; Speight, N; Vallings, R; Bateman, L; Bell, DS; Carlo-Stella, N; Chia, J; Darragh, A; Gerken, A; Jo, D; Lewis, DP; Light, AR; Light, KC; Marshall-Gradisnik, S; McLaren-Howard, J; Mena, I; Miwa, K; Murovska, M; Stevens, SR (2012), Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners