Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or What? An Operational Definition
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Method
3. Results
3.1. Characteristics
3.1.1. An Epidemic and an Endemic Form
3.1.2. An Often Sudden, Sometimes Gradual, Onset
3.1.3. An Acute and a Chronic Phase
3.1.4. Not Just Like Other Post-Viral Fatigue States
3.1.5. A Prolonged Relapsing Course
3.1.6. Diurnal Variability of Symptoms
3.2. Symptoms
3.2.1. Muscle Fatigability/Prolonged Muscle Weakness after Exertion is a Mandatory Feature of ME
3.2.2. Neurological Disturbance Is an Essential Feature of ME
3.2.3. ME Often Coincides with a Number of Symptoms Related to Other Body Systems
3.2.4. ME Is Often Accompanied by Emotional Problems, but Is Not Caused by Those Symptoms
3.3. An Operational Definition of ME
- muscle fatigability/prolonged muscle weakness after trivial exertion;
- neurological disturbance (see Table 3):
- at least one symptom related to cognitive dysfunction or one unclassified neurological symptom;
- at least one symptom related to autonomic dysfunction; and
- at least two symptoms related to sensory dysfunction;
- fluctuation of symptoms (within and between “episodes”); and
- a prolonged relapsing course.
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
- muscle fatigability/prolonged muscle weakness after trivial exertion;
- neurological disturbance, especially of cognitive, autonomic and sensory functions;
- fluctuation of symptoms (within and between ‘episodes’); and
- a prolonged relapsing course.
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Definition of ME (1990) |
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“A syndrome commonly initiated by respiratory and/or gastro-intestinal infection but an insidious or more dramatic onset following neurological, cardiac or endocrine disability occurs. |
The pathognomonic features (of ME) are:
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Other characteristics include [..] a prolonged relapsing course and variation in intensity of symptoms within and between episodes, tending to chronicity.” |
Definition of ME (1992) |
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“A syndrome initiated by a viral infection commonly described as a respiratory/gastro intestinal illness but a gradual or more dramatic onset following neurological, cardiac or endocrine disability is recognised. The cardinal features, in a patient who has previously been physically and mentally fit, with a good work record are:
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Cognitive Dysfunction |
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Autonomic Dysfunction |
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Sensory Dysfunction |
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Motor Dysfunction |
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Unclassified Neurological Symptoms |
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Twisk, F. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or What? An Operational Definition. Diagnostics 2018, 8, 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics8030064
Twisk F. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or What? An Operational Definition. Diagnostics. 2018; 8(3):64. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics8030064
Chicago/Turabian StyleTwisk, Frank. 2018. "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or What? An Operational Definition" Diagnostics 8, no. 3: 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics8030064