Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

A Clinical Case Definition
and Guidelines for
Medical Practitioners

An Overview of the CanadianConsensus Document

Bruce M. Carruthers
Marjorie I. van de Sande

The Canadian Consensus Document on ME/CFS
Our comparison study examined differences between patients meeting the Canadianclinical and the Fukuda et al. criteria for ME/CFS, with people who had chronically fatiguing
illness explained by a psychiatric condition. The Canadian Clinical Criteria selected patientswith more physical functional impairment, more fatigue/weakness, neurocognitive andneurological symptoms and had more variables that significantly differentiated themfrom the psychiatric comparison group than did the Fukuda et al. criteria. The findings
do suggest that the Canadian criteria point to the potential utility in designating postexertional malaise and fatigue, sleep dysfunction, pain, clinical neurocognitive, andclinical autonomic/neuroimmunoendocrine symptoms as major criteria.
The selection of diagnostic signs and symptoms has major implications for which
individuals are diagnosed with ME/CFS and how seriously the illness is viewed by healthcare providers, disability insurers, rehabilitation planners, and patients and their families
and friends. I hope the results of this comparison study will encourage more physicians
to USE THE CANADIAN CLINICAL CRITERIA.
Leonard A. Jason, Ph D
Director: Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago IL
Board of Directors: American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The Canadian Clinical Case Definition has brilliantly rewritten the guidelines to capture,at last, what ME/CFS is really all about. It is not that patients are fatigued. Healthy people
get fatigued. Rather the definition specifically selects patients who worsen with exercise.
This takes the emphasis away from the subjective sensation of “fatigue” and forces one
to clearly describe the connection between fatigue and activity. This also embraces
mental fatigue (loss of cognitive function and alertness) as well as physical fatigue (lackof energy and strength, often felt in the muscles). The patient must become symptomaticallyill after exercise and must also have evidence of neurocognitive, neuroendocrine,
dysautonomic (e.g. orthostatic intolerance), and immune malfunction.
The Adelaide Forum agreed to UNANIMOUSLY EMBRACE THE CANADIAN CASE DEFINITION
with a strong recommendation that it also be taken up by ME/CFS societies.
(Excerpt from the review of the Adelaide Forum, Australia, 2005)
Michael Barratt, MBBS, FRCPA
Adelaide, Australia

In my opinion, and in the opinions of the other doctors at the Environmental Health Clinic,
the ME/CFS Consensus Document is EXTREMELY PRACTICAL AND USEFUL. We haveused it repeatedly in helping to develop comprehensive individual treatment plans incollaboration with patients. At the behest of the Ontario College of Family Physicians'(OCFP) Environmental Health Committee, and with approval of the publisher, the consensus
diagnostic checklists were posted on the OCFP website. We also use the diagnostic
criteria, checklists, and treatment suggestions as teaching tools in the OCFP's Environmental
Health Day at their Annual Scientific Assembly.
Lynn Marshall, MD, FAAEM, FRSM
Medical Director: Environmental Health Clinic,
Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre
Member: Environmental Health Committee, Ontario College of Family Physicians
Lecturer: University of Toronto Department of Family and Community Medicine
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine: Northern Ontario School of Medicine

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document
Bruce M. Carruthers, M.D., C.M., FRCP(C)Marjorie I. van de Sande, B. Ed., Grad. Dip. Ed.
© Copyright 2005 by Carruthers B.M. and van de Sande M.I.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, utilized, or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, or by any means
whatsoever without prior written permission from the authors. In our efforts to make physicians aware of the Consensus
Document and ensure that patients receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment in a timely fashion, the authors
may consider requests to reproduce this booklet providing ALL of the following conditions are met. This booklet must
be reproduced in its entirety, with no additions, deletions, or changes to this booklet and its contents in any
manner whatsoever; no profit is made by any individual, organization, company, university, or otherwise; andthe authors are credited as the source. In your written request to reprint this booklet please state that you agree to allof the above conditions and indicate how you intend to use the booklet.
The preparation of this work has been undertaken with great care to publish reliable data and information. However, theauthors are not responsible for any errors contained herein or for consequences that may ensue from use of materials or
information contained in this work. This work does not endorse any commercial product.

The National Library of Canada Cataloguing-in-Publication Data:
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical
Practitioners. An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document. Carruthers, Bruce M., van de Sande, Marjorie I.
ISBN: 0-9739335-0-X
Soft cover, alkaline paper. Includes authors’ affiliations, table of contents, 1. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) – Clinical Definition/Diagnostic Criteria, 2. Diagnosis, Differential, 3. Clinical
Diagnostic Guidelines, 4. Treatment Guidelines. Copyright 2005 by B. M. Carruthers and M. I. van de Sande.
Published by: Carruthers & van de Sande
Correspondence to: Dr. Bruce M. Carruthers, email: bcarruth@telus.net#2, 3657 West 16 Ave, Vancouver, B.C. V6R 3C3, Canada
Reprint permission requests to: Marjorie van de Sande, email: mvandes@shaw.ca
151 Arbour Ridge Circle N.W., Calgary, Alberta T3G 3V9, Canada
Cover Design by Robert J. van de Sande, B. Sc, E.E.
Cover Pictures (top to bottom): Xenon SPECT scan reveals pronounced worsening of hypoperfusion
following exercise; PET scan reveals decreased glucose utilization; sMRI voxel-based morphometry technique
indicates the volume of gray matter of the brain is significantly reduced and there is an average of 8% reductionof brain tissue, although not discernable by the naked eye; and the bottom two pictures using qEEG topography
indicate the electrical sources in the gray matter (cortex). ME/CFS patients have increased sources (indicated inred) in the left hemisphere whereas the controls have increased sources (indicated in green) in the righthemisphere in the frontal and superior temporal cerebral regions in beta frequencies. Patients’ reduced sourcesin the right hemisphere may be due to interference with the left brain inhibitory regulation of the righthemisphere during cognitive processing.

This booklet is an Overview of
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines
A Consensus Document
Bruce M Carruthers, Anil Kumar Jain, Kenny L De Meirleir, Daniel L Peterson, Nancy G Klimas, A
Martin Lerner, Alison C Bested, Pierre Flor-Henry, Pradip Joshi, AC Peter Powles, Jeffrey A
Sherkey, Marjorie I van de Sande.
Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 11(1):7-115, 2003. ISBN: 0-7890-227-9 © Haworth Medical Press Inc.
This journal is available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: Phone (Canada & USA) 800-722-5857.
E-mail address: docdelivery@haworthpress.com
http://www.HaworthPress.com

Authors and Affiliations: ME/CFS Consensus Document

Bruce M. Carruthers, MD, CM, FRCP(C): Specialist in Internal Medicine, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Anil Kumar Jain, B Sc, MD: Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Kenny L. De Meirleir, MD, Ph D: Professor of Physiology and Medicine (KDM, IC, PDB); Director of the
Human Performance Laboratory and member of the Vakgroep Internal Medicine; Vrije Universiteit
Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Daniel L. Peterson, MD: Specialist in Internal Medicine, Affiliate of the Sierra Internal Medicine Associates,
Incline Village, NV, USA; ME/CFS researcher and clinician; a board member of the American
Association of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; and member of the International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Study Group
Nancy G. Klimas, MD: Clinical Professor of Medicine in Microbiology/Immunology/Allergy and Psychology,
University of Miami School of Medicine; Co-Director, E.M. Papper Laboratory of Clinical Immunology,
University Miami School of Medicine; Director of AIDS Research and Co-Director of AIDS ClinicalResearch Unit, Miami VA Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
A. Martin Lerner, MD, PC, MACP: Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University Schoolof Medicine; William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI, USA
Alison C. Bested, MD, FRCP(C): Haematological Pathologist; Environmental Health Clinic; Sunnybrook &Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Pierre Flor-Henry, MB, Ch B, MD, Acad DPM, FRC, CSPQ: Clinical Director, General Psychiatry;
Director, Clinical Diagnostics and Research Centre; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University ofAlberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Pradip Joshi, BM, MD, FRCP(C): Clinical Associate Professor, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St.
John’s, NF, Canada
A. C. Peter Powles, MRACP, FRACP, FRCP(C), ABSM: Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Health Sciences,
McMasters University, Hamilton, ON; Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Chief ofMedicine and Sleep Disorder Consultant, St Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto; Sleep Disorder Consultant
at the Sleep Disorder Clinic at St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton, and Central West Sleep Affiliation,
Paris, ON, Canada
Jeffrey A. Sherkey, MD, CCFP(C): Formerly in Family Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON,
Canada. We sincerely regret that Dr. Sherkey has since passed away.
Marjorie I. van de Sande, B Ed, Grad Dip Ed: Consensus Coordinator; Advisor to the National ME/FM
Action Network, Canada
Acknowledgements for the Canadian Consensus Document
Lydia Neilson, MSM, President, and the National ME/FM Action Network for spearheading the drive for thedevelopment of a clinical case definition, and diagnostic and treatment protocols for ME/CFS.
National ME/FM Action Network, Canada. www.mefmaction.net
Health Canada for establishing the “Terms of Reference” and selecting the Expert Consensus Panel
Crystaal, for sponsoring the Expert Consensus Panel Workshop without any direct involvement
James McSherry, MB, ChB, CCFP, FCFP, FABMP, FAAFP, who was a member of the Expert Consensus
Panel and contributed in the review process but was unable to attend the consensus meeting. We
sincerely regret that Dr. Mc Sherry has since passed away.
Kim D. Jones, RNC, Ph D, FNP, exercise physiologist, for her contribution to the exercise section.
Kerry Ellison, OT (non-practicing), for her contribution to the patient management/treatment, andassessing disability sections
Hugh Scher, LLP, for his contribution to the assessing disability section
Additional Acknowledgements for this Overview
Expert Consensus Panel for ME/CFS, for reviewing the overview
Robert J. van de Sande, B. Sc. E.E., for the cover design and formatting of the booklet

Pictures on Cover (Reprinted with permission): Dr. Floris de Lange - sMRI voxel-based morphometry scan; Dr.
Pierre Flor-Henry – qEEG topography; PET & Xenon SPECT scans: Goldstein JA. “Chronic Fatigue Syndromes:
The Limbic Hypothesis”. pp. vi, ix © 1993 Haworth Medical Press. Available from document delivery service:
1-800-HAWORTH
docdelivery@haworthpress.com
http://www.HaworthPress.com
Judith A. Brock, MA, for proof-reading

A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

CONTENTSDEVELOPMENT OF THE CANADIAN CONSENSUS DOCUMENTINTRODUCTIONClassification
Etiology
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Prevalence
Natural Course

iv
1
1
1

DIAGNOSTIC GUIDELINES
CLINICAL WORKING CASE DEFINITION OF ME/CFS
Exclusions
Co-morbid Entities
Application Notes
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
1. Fatigue
2. Post-Exertional Malaise and/or Fatigue
3. Sleep Dysfunction
4. Pain
5. Neurological/Cognitive Manifestations
6. Autonomic Manifestations
7. Neuroendocrine Manifestations
8. Immune Manifestations
Features of ME/CFS in Young People
CLINICAL EVALUATION OF ME/CFS
Differences Between ME/CFS and FMS
Differences Among ME/CFS and Psychiatric Disorders

1
2
2
3
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
6
6
7
7
7
9
9

TREATMENT GUIDELINES
Goals
Guidelines
SELF-HELP STRATEGIESSELF-POWERED EXERCISESYMPTOM MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
1. Sleep Disturbance
2. Pain3. Fatigue
4. Cognitive Manifestations
5. Autonomic Manifestations
6. Neuroendocrine Manifestations
7. Immune Manifestations
Blood Donations
Immunization

10
10
10
10
12
12
12
13
13
13
13
14
14
14
14

APPENDICES
Symptom Severity and Severity Hierarch Profile
Sleep and Pain Profile
Assessing Occupational Disability

15
15
16
17

REFERENCES

19

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

1
1

iii

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANADIAN CONSENSUS DOCUMENT
The National ME/FM Action Network of Canada
spearheaded the drive for the development of anexpertconsensus
documentfor
Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
Fatigue
Syndrome(ME/CFS). In response to increasing numbers ofpatients inquiring about doctors knowledgeable
about ME/CFS, the Network sent a questionnaire to
doctors across Canada asking what items would be
most helpful in assisting them with their ME/CFS
patients. The physicians concurred that a clinicaldefinition, as well as diagnostic and treatment
protocols were of prime importance.
The National ME/FM Action Network thenapproached two clinicians knowledgeable about
ME/CFS and experienced in its diagnosis andtreatment. Dr. Bruce Carruthers of British Columbia
and Dr. Anil Jain of Ontario kindly agreed to coauthor a draft document. Lydia Neilson, Presidentof the National ME/FM Action Network, met with the
Honourable Alan Rock, then Minister of Health, todiscuss the results of the doctors’ survey and thedraft document.
The Honourable Alan Rock
responded by stating the draft clinical definition was“a milestone in the fight against this complex andtragic condition”.
Health Canada established the “Terms ofReference”. One stipulation was that at least one
member of the panel must be nominated by each of
the five stakeholder groups of government,
universities, clinicians, industry, and advocacy.
There had to be at least ten members on the panel,four of whom could come from outside of Canada.
Panel members had to be practicing MDs actively
treating and/or diagnosing ME/CFS, or MDs or Ph
Ds involved in clinical research of the illness. Theirmandate was to develop a clinical definition that
addressed a broader spectrum of the pathogenesisof the illness, as well as to provide diagnostic andtreatment protocols for medical practitioners. The
members of the panel would have autonomy overtheir consensus document.
Health Canada selected an Expert Consensus Panelfor ME/CFS. The eleven-member Expert Consensus
Panel received more than forty nominations
including numerous nominations from eachstakeholder group. The members of the Consensus
Panel represented clinicians, university medical
faculty, and researchers in the area of ME/CFS.
Collectively, the members of the panel had
diagnosed and/or treated more than twenty
thousand ME/CFS patients.
Health Canada planned for a Consensus Workshop
to be held on March 30 to April 1, 2001. Crystaal(Biovail Pharmaceuticals) funded the workshop
without having any involvement with or influence
over the Consensus Document. They hired Scienceand Medicine Canada to organize and facilitate theworkshop.
The draft document went through three rounds ofrevisions prior to the Consensus Workshop where
the document received consensus, in principle,with directives for various members to revise some
sections. The document was compiled by Marjorie
van de Sande and the revised document was sent
to the panel. There was 100% consensus by thepanel members on the final Consensus Document1.
The Consensus Document has become known as
the “Canadian Consensus Document for ME/CFS”.

Importance of a Clinical Definition
The Greek origin of syndrome is syn– together, and -drome - a track for running. One must determine thetracks of travel and observe the travel of a patient’s syndrome components. Because research definitions
define a static collection of symptom entities, they have ignored or downplayed the critical dynamic featuresof this syndrome, as lived by patients. The normal fatigue/pain pattern directly related to felt causal action
and adjusted by activity/rest rhythms is broken in ME/CFS. As a result there are cumulative physical andcognitive fatigue/pain and “crashing” patterns, which are criterial in this Clinical Definition. The objective
postural cardiac output abnormalities correlate with the degree of reactive fatigue and overall severity of
ME/CFS. These findings could supply an objective marker for fatigue severity and duration, and help explain
why ME/CFS can be so disabling. It is important for the clinician to observe the dynamics of the wholecluster of symptoms in their interaction, additive effects, and the disruption to patients’ lives over longer
periods of time.

iv

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

INTRODUCTION“Myalgic Encephalomyelitis” and “Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome” are used interchangeably and this illness
is referred to as “ME/CFS”. The Expert Consensus
Panel, selected by Health Canada, establishedclinical criteria, and developed an integrative
diagnostic and treatment approach to ME/CFS.
Classification
ME/CFS is an acquired organic, pathophysiological,
multi-systemic illness that occurs in both sporadic
and epidemic forms. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis(ICD 10 G93.3), which includes CFS, is classified asa neurological disease in the World HealthOrganization’sInternational
ClassificationofDiseases (ICD).
Chronic fatigue must not be
confused with ME/CFS because the “fatigue” of
ME/CFS represents pathophysiological exhaustion
and is only one of many symptoms. Compelling
research evidence of physiological and biochemical
abnormalities identifies ME/CFS as a distinct,
biological, clinical disorder.

Etiology
Most patients enjoyed a healthy, active lifestyleprior to the onset of ME/CFS. The importance ofviral involvement is supported by frequent infective
triggers. Elevated levels of a wide variety of
intracellular pathogens suggest that a dysfunctionin the body’s response to infection plays asignificant role. The presence of activated immune
complexes is supported by activation of elevatedlevels of T lymphocytes; poor cellular function issuggested by low natural killer cell cytotoxicity2.
There are confirmed findings of biochemical
dysregulation of the 2-5A synthetase/ribonuclease
L (RNase L) antiviral defense pathway inmonocytes3,4 in many cases. Other prodomal
events include immunization, anesthetics, physicaltrauma, exposure to environmental pollutants,
chemicals and heavy metals, and rarely bloodtransfusions. A rapid and dramatic deterioration ofhealth in acute onset cases often occurs whileothers have a gradual onset with no obvious cause.
In addition to infectious causes, a genetic
predisposition5 may be considered when more than
one separated family member is afflicted.

EPIDEMIOLOGY
Prevalence
Epidemiological studies indicate a wide range ofprevalence. However, in a large American sample
of more than 28,000 adults6, 422 per 100,000 had
ME/CFS, suggesting that between 125,000 and
150,000 adult Canadians suffer from ME/CFS. It is
more prevalent than lung cancer and AIDS6. Thisillness affects all age groups, including children, allracial/ethnic groups, and all socioeconomic strata.
There is a higher prevalence in females. Lower
blood volume and lower blood cell mass may becontributing factors in their difficulty in coping withthe genesis of ME/CFS.

Natural Course
ME/CFS can be debilitating. In a review study ofprognosis7, 5 of 6 studies indicated that 0% to 6%(the sixth study indicated 12%) of adults return totheir pre-illness level of functioning. Relapses canoccur several years after remission. Progressive
degeneration of end organs, particularly cardiac or
pancreatic failure, may result in death, and suicide
is a risk. The prognosis for children and youth ismuch better. Symptom severity is the best indicatorof outcome, but accurate prognosis for anindividual cannot be predicted with certainty.
Objective postural cardiac output abnormalities
correlate with symptom severity and reactive
exhaustion.

DIAGNOSTIC GUIDELINESThe Clinical Definition encompasses the broad clusterof symptoms and signs that give ME/CFS its
distinctive character. Diagnosis is based on thesecharacteristic symptom patterns, which reflectspecific areas of pathogenesis.

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

1Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CLINICAL WORKING CASE DEFINITION OF ME/CFS

A patient with ME/CFS will meet the criteria for fatigue, post-exertional malaise and/or
fatigue, sleep dysfunction, and pain; have two or more neurological/cognitive manifestations
and one or more symptoms from two of the categories of autonomic, neuroendocrine, andimmune manifestations; and adhere to item 7.
__ 1. Fatigue: The patient must have a significant degree of new onset, unexplained, persistent, or
recurrent physical and mental fatigue that substantially reduces activity level.
__ 2. Post-Exertional Malaise and/or Fatigue: There is an inappropriate loss of physical andmental stamina, rapid muscular and cognitive fatigability, post exertional malaise and/or fatigue
and/or pain and a tendency for other associated symptoms within the patient’s cluster ofsymptoms to worsen. There is a pathologically slow recovery period - usually 24 hours or longer.
__ 3. Sleep Dysfunction:* There is unrefreshed sleep or sleep quantity or rhythm disturbances suchas reversed or chaotic diurnal sleep rhythms.
__ 4. Pain:* There is a significant degree of myalgia. Pain can be experienced in the muscles, and/or
joints, and is often widespread and migratory in nature. Often there are significant headaches of
new type, pattern or severity.
__ 5. Neurological/Cognitive Manifestations: Two or more of the following difficulties
should be present: confusion, impairment of concentration and short-term memory consolidation,
disorientation, difficulty with information processing, categorizing and word retrieval, andperceptual and sensory disturbances – e.g. spatial instability and disorientation and inability tofocus vision. Ataxia, muscle weakness and fasciculations are common. There may be overload1
phenomena: cognitive, sensory – e.g. photophobia and hypersensitivity to noise - and/or emotional
overload, which may lead to “crash”2 periods and/or anxiety.
__ 6. At Least One Symptom from Two of the Following Categories:__ a. Autonomic Manifestations: orthostatic intolerance - neurally mediated hypotension(NMH), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), delayed postural hypotension;light-headedness; extreme pallor; nausea and irritable bowel syndrome; urinary frequency
and bladder dysfunction; palpitations with or without cardiac arrhythmias; exertional
dyspnea.
__ b. Neuroendocrine Manifestations: loss of thermostatic stability – subnormal bodytemperature and marked diurnal fluctuation, sweating episodes, recurrent feelings offeverishness and cold extremities; intolerance of extremes of heat and cold; marked
weight change - anorexia or abnormal appetite; loss of adaptability and worsening ofsymptoms with stress.
__ c. Immune Manifestations: tender lymph nodes, recurrent sore throat, recurrent flulike symptoms, general malaise, new sensitivities to food, medications and/or chemicals.
__ 7. The illness persists for at least six months: It usually has a distinct onset, **although it
may be gradual. Preliminary diagnosis may be possible earlier. Three months is appropriate forchildren.
To be included, the symptoms must have begun or have been significantly altered after the onset of this illness. It is
unlikely that a patient will suffer from all symptoms in criteria 5 & 6. The disturbances tend to form symptom clusters
that may fluctuate and change over time. Children often have numerous prominent symptoms but their order ofseverity tends to vary from day to day. *There is a small number of patients who have no pain or sleep dysfunction,
but no other diagnosis fits except ME/CFS. A diagnosis of ME/CFS can be entertained when this group has aninfectious illness type onset. **Some patients have been unhealthy for other reasons prior to the onset of ME/ CFS
and lack detectable triggers at onset or have more gradual or insidious onset.

Exclusions: Exclude active disease processes that explain most of the major symptoms of fatigue,
sleep disturbance, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. It is essential to exclude certain diseases, which would
be tragic to miss: Addison’s disease, Cushing’s Syndrome, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, irondeficiency, other treatable forms of anemia, iron overload syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and cancer. It isalso essential to exclude treatable sleep disorders such as upper airway resistance syndrome andobstructive or central sleep apnea; rheumatological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus,
1
2“Overload” refers to hypersensitivities to stimuli that have changed from pre-illness status.
“Crash” refers to a temporary period of immobilizing physical and /or cognitive fatigue.

2

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
polymyositis and polymyalgia rheumatica; immune disorders such as AIDS; neurological disorders such as
multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinsonism, myasthenia gravis and B12 deficiency; infectious diseases such as
tuberculosis, chronic hepatitis, Lyme disease, etc.; primary psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.

Exclusion of other diagnoses, which cannot be reasonably excluded by the patient’s history and physicalexamination, is achieved by laboratory testing and imaging. If a potentially confounding medical conditionis under control, then the diagnosis of ME/CFS can be entertained if patients meet the criteria otherwise.

Co-morbid Entities: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS),
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Interstitial Cystitis, Irritable
Bladder Syndrome, Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Prolapsed Mitral Valve, Depression, Migraine, Allergies,
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Sicca Syndrome, etc. Such co-morbid entities

may occur in the setting of ME/CFS. Others such as IBS may precede the development of ME/CFS by many
years, but then become associated with it. The same holds true for migraines and depression. Their
association is thus looser than between the symptoms within the syndrome. ME/CFS and FMS often
closely connect and should be considered to be “overlap syndromes”.
Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue: If the patient has unexplained prolonged fatigue (6 months or more) but
has insufficient symptoms to meet the criteria for ME/CFS, classify it as idiopathic chronic fatigue.

Carruthers BM, Jain AK, De Meirleir KL, Peterson DL, Klimas NG, Lerner AM, Bested AC, Flor-Henry P, Joshi P, Powles ACP, Sherkey JA,
van de Sande MI. MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS / CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: Clinical Working Case Definition,
Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 11(1):7-116, 2003. © Copyright 2003, Haworth Press
Inc., Article available from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-722-5857, docdelivery@haworthpress.com,
www.HaworthPress.com Reprinted with permission.

Application Notes• Total illness burden is determined byobserving and obtaining a complete descriptionof the patient’s symptoms, their interactions,and functional impact.
• Variability and coherence of symptoms:
The cluster of symptoms exhibited will vary;
however they are connected by their temporal,
coherent, and causal relationships.
• Symptom severity and impact: Symptom
severity is significant if it substantially impacts
the patient’s premorbid activity level (by an••approximate 50% reduction). Confirm symptom
severity and impact by dialogue with thepatient over time.
The hierarchy of symptom severity willvary over time and among patients. Periodic
ranking of the severity and hierarchy ofsymptom severity helps orient the treatment
program and monitor its effectiveness.
Separate
primarysymptoms
fromsecondary symptoms and aggravators.
Symptom dynamics and interactions, and theeffects of aggravators should be noted.

Dr. Leonard Jason’s study8 compared patients meeting the Canadian clinical criteria and Fukuda
criteria for ME/CFS and control patients with chronic fatigue due to depression. Patients
meeting the Canadian criteria were more physically ill, had greater physical functional
impairment, greater fatigue/weakness, and more neurocognitive, neurological andcardiopulmonary abnormalities and had more impairments that significantly differentiatedthem from the psychiatric comparison group than did patients meeting the Fukuda criteria.

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
1. Fatigue“Fatigue” is an inappropriate label because thefatigue experienced in ME/CFS is not normal
fatigue whereby energy is promptly restored
with
rest.
The
pathological“fatigue”
experienced
in
ME/CFSmay
combineexhaustion, weakness, heaviness, generalmalaise, lightheadedness, and sleepiness thatcan be overwhelmingly debilitating. By
An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

definition, the patient’s activity level is reduced
by approximately 50% or more. Some patientsare housebound or bedridden and dependent
on others for their daily care. ME/CFS “isactually more debilitating than most othermedical problems in the world”9 including
patients undergoing chemotherapy and HIV
patients (until about two weeks before death).
Cognitive fatiguing may be evident when the3Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
patient’s responses become slower, lesscoherent, and s/he experiences more difficulty
in word and information retrieval. The
pathological components of fatigue should be
identified in order to provide appropriate
treatment. Orthostatic intolerance, the inability
to tolerate sustained upright activity, may be
associated with the overwhelming exhaustion,
weakness, and urgency to lie down experienced
in ME/CFS. Often there is arousal fatigue due
to poor sleep quality and sometimes quantity.
Oxygenation fatigue is caused by insufficient
oxygen being delivered to the brain and tissues.
In metabolic fatigue, the cells are unable totransform substrates of energy into usefulfunctions. Muscle fatigue is common. Patients
who also meet the criteria of FMS usuallyexperience structural fatigue.

Response to Exercise

2. Post-Exertional Malaise and/or
Fatigue
Physical or mental exertion often causes
debilitating malaise and/or fatigue, generalized
pain, deterioration of cognitive functions, andworsening of other symptoms that may occur
immediately after activity or be delayed.
Patients experience rapid muscle fatigue andlack endurance.
These symptoms aresuggestive of a pathophysiology which involves
immune system activation, channelopathy withoxidative stress and nitric oxide related
toxicity10, and/or orthostatic intolerance.
Recovery time is inordinately long, usually a
day or longer, and exercise may trigger a
relapse. The following chart indicates some ofthe documented dysfunctional reactions toexercise that patients may exhibit11:

Healthy People

ME/CFS Patients

Sense of well-being

Invigorating, antidepressant effectFeel malaise, fatigue andworsening of symptoms1,12Resting heart rate
Heart rate at maximum workload
Maximum oxygen uptake

NormalElevated
Elevated

Age-predicted target heart rate

Can achieve it

Cardiac output
Cerebral blood flow
Cerebral oxygen
Body temperature
Respiration

Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased
Increased

Cognitive processing
Recovery period

Normal, more alert
Short

Oxygen delivery to the muscles
Gait kinematics

Increased
NormalElevated13,14
Reduced heart rate13,14
Approximately ½ of sedentary
controls13
Often cannot achieve it andshould not be forced13,14
Sub-optimal level13,14
Decreased15,16
Decreased15
Decreased17
Breathing irregularities: shortnessof breath17, shallow breathing
Impaired18
Often 24 hours but can last days
or weeks1,12,19
Impaired13
Gait abnormalities20

3. Sleep Dysfunction
Research21 suggests that ME/CFS patients havedisrupted circadian rhythm, sleep onset
difficulties, sleep maintenance disturbances anddo not get into/or spend enough time in the
deeper phases of sleep. The EEG indicatesalpha waves intrude into delta waves within
non-REM sleep22.

common. Vivid, disturbing dreams may occur.
Sleep problems are usually chronic rather thanintermittent. Insomnia often increases when
the patient is overly exhausted. Restless leg
syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder
may occur. A subset of patients may haveupper airway resistance syndrome, sleep apnea
or other treatable sleep disorders.

Hypersomnia is common, particularly in theacute stage.
Sleep onset difficulties,
fragmented
sleep,
non-restorative
sleep,
morning exhaustion, and abnormal diurnal
variation of sleep rhythms and energy levels are

4. Pain
The chronic pain is thought to be due to adysfunction of the pain processing areas of thecentral nervous system23. Inappropriate pain
signals are sent to and from the brain and

4

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
body. Dysregulation of sodium channels andcellular ion transport may be involved in pain
symptoms.
Generalized myalgia or nonanatomical pain may
occur randomly and is often migratory. The
pain may be described as sharp, shooting, deep
aching, burning, throbbing, tingling, etc. Muscle
spasms, and new onset headaches, including
tension headaches and migraines, are common.
A subset of ME/CFS patients also meets thecriteria of fibromyalgia syndrome and/or
myofascial pain syndrome.
5. Neurological/Cognitive Manifestations
Structural and functional neuroimaging suggestthat neuropathic involvement plays a primaryrole in causing a disruption of the normal
coordination between the brain and the body.
In patients with ME/CFS, PET scans indicate
decreased glucose metabolism in the rightandsignificant
mediofrontal
cortex,24
hypoperfusion and hypometabolism in the brain
stem25. SPECT brain scan analysis26 reveals
significantly lower cortical/cerebellar regional
cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the frontal,
parietal, temporal, occipital, and brain stem andmay play a role in cognitive impairment andactivity limitations. MRI studies reveal elevatednumbers of irreversible punctuate lesions
consistent with demyelination or edema,
predominantly in the frontal lobes27 andsubcortical areas28. A controlled study29 using
structural MRI voxel-based morphometry
technique for measuring brain volume andtissue concentration showed that the volume ofgray matter of the brain was significantly
reduced and there was an average of 8%
reduction of brain tissue, which was a global
problem in patients. A previous MRI voxel-based
morphometry study30 indicated an average
reduction of 11.8% in gray-matter volume in thebilateral prefrontal areas of patients compared
to controls. fMRI studies31,32 demonstrate thatpatients use more areas of the brain when
involved in auditory cognitive activities, thus
greater effort is required to do cognitive
activities and may contribute to cognitive
fatigue. qEEG topography indicates elevatedactivity of intracerebral electrical sources intheta and beta frequencies33. Delta and beta
frequencies were particularly elevated in the left
frontal region in eyes closed condition. qEEG
suggests reduced sources in the righthemisphere (beta) due to interference with the

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

left brain inhibitory regulation of the righthemisphere
duringverbalcognitive
processing33. Quantitative assessment shows
enlargement of the lateral cerebral ventricularvolumes that may be associated with whitematter loss in the frontal and parietal lobes34.
Some degree of encephalomyelitis may occur inthe upper spinal motor and sensory nerve roots
and nerve networks transversing the brain
stem35. Abnormal function of ATP binding
cassette (ABC) transporters may contribute tosignificant neurological dysfunction3.
Cognitive manifestations vary and become
more pronounced with fatigue. “Cognitive fog”
or confusion, slowed processing of information
and reaction time, difficulty in word retrieval or
speaking, concentration, attention, short-term
memory consolidation, and forgetfulness arecommon. Susceptibility to interference anddifficulty in processing complex information areprominent. Selective memory processing
deficits, such as experiencing more difficulty inrecalling information when it is presented withgreater semantic structure and contextual
clues, may occur against a relatively normal
cognitive background. Patients may become
dyslexic when overly fatigued. Neurocognitive
impairments involving concentration andmemory are cited as some of the mostdisruptive and functionally disabling symptomsof ME/CFS.
Overload Phenomena: Patients are often
hypersensitive to sensory stimulation including
noise, bright lights, temperature extremes, andodours. They have difficulty focusing theirattention when there is more than one sourceof input, such as concomitant auditory andvisual input, cognitive and physical activity, andin fast-paced or confusing environments.
Emotional overload may be unduly stressful.
Overload phenomena may trigger a “crash”
where the patient becomes temporarily
immobilized by physical and/or mental fatigue
and recovery is slow.
Motor and Perceptual Disturbances:
Muscle weakness and fasciculations arecommon. The patient may appear clumsy due
to loss of cognitive map, inaccurate bodyboundaries, poor muscle coordination, and/or
loss of balance. Difficulty with depth perception
and focusing vision may result in an inability toaccommodate walking on uneven surfaces, aswell as spatial instability and disorientation.
5

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Other symptoms: Visual accommodation andfocusing difficulties, blurred or double vision anddry eyes are common. Tinnitus may occur.
6. Autonomic Manifestations
Chronic Orthostatic Intolerance (COI),
the inability to sustain upright activity(standing, sitting or walking), is very
common and may be an important component in
ME/CFS. Upon limited standing, the patient
experiences overwhelming exhaustion, anurgency to lie down, confusion, malaise, andworsening of other symptoms. Sitting and lightwalking are tolerated better than standing still,
but no upright activity is tolerated well. Lying
down helps alleviate symptoms. Tilt-table testing
may be helpful in diagnosis but some patients
may have a normal tilt-table test and still havesevere COI. Quiet standing in the office allows
for observation and monitoring the bloodpressure and pulse. Note: This must only bedone with extreme CAUTION with someone
standing beside the patient at all times in orderto support him/her if s/he begins to feel weak!
Research36
suggestsalow
circulating
erythrocyte volume (approximately 70% of
normal on average), but not plasma volume in
ME/CFS patients. Blood may pool in the legs,
abdomen, and sometimes hands. This may
decrease effective blood volume and contributeto COI.
Lower stroke volume and cardiac
output, and reduced circulation correlate withsymptom severity37. Treadmill walking suggests
significantly reduced vagal power38. Autonomic
dysfunction underlies COI and its subtypes ofneurally mediated hypotension, postural COI,
orthostatic
hypotension,andorthostatic
narrowing of pulse pressure.
• Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
involves a precipitous drop of more than 2025 mm of mercury of systolic blood pressure
upon standing, or standing still. Symptoms
may include lightheadedness, dizziness,pressure-like chest pain over the left chest,
visual changes, weakness, slowed verbal
response, pallor, an urgency to lie down,
and sometimes syncope.
orthostatic
tachycardia• Postural
syndrome (POTS): Upon standing there is
rapid action of the heart, either an increaseof over 30 beats per minute or a rate
greater than 120 beats per minute during 10
minutes of standing, plus or minus a drop inblood pressure. Tachycardia is morecommon
than
low
blood
pressure.
6•••

Symptoms may include lightheadedness,dizziness, nausea, fatigue, tremor, irregularbreathing, headaches, visual changes,
sweating, and rarely syncope.
Delayed postural hypotension occurs
when there is a drop in blood pressure ten
minutes or more after the patient stands.

Palpitations with or without cardiac
arrhythmias
Chest pain resembling angina and/or
thrombosis

Other common ANS symptoms
dysregulations
include• Breathingbreathing irregularities, sudden attacks ofbreathlessness, exertional dyspnea, andholding the breath inappropriately.
• Intestinal irregularities: Constipation,
diarrhea, alternating diarrhea/constipation,
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), abdominal
pain, cramps, and nausea are common.
• Bladder dysfunction may include bladder
pain, urinary frequency, dysuria, andnocturia.
• Alternating sweating and shivering•

episodesPainful vascular spasm in extremities
with cold or hot feelings

7. Neuroendocrine Manifestations
Centrally mediated dysfunction (impaired
activation) of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenocortical axis39 may be associated with
dysfunction of the autonomic and immune
system.
Significantly
reducedpancreatic
exocrine function may lead to malabsorption.
Loss of thermostatic stability: Altered•body temperature (often subnormal but
occasionally febrile), marked diurnal
fluctuation, alternating feelings of hot orcold (sometimes with unusual distribution),recurrent feelings of feverishness, andsweating episodes may occur.
• Heat/cold intolerance is common andmay be accompanied by worsening of othersymptoms.
• Marked weight change• Hypoglycemia• Hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis
and ANS dysregulation may lessen patients’adaptability to stressful and overload
situations. Stress may cause disorientation,
anxiety, worsening of other symptoms, andtrigger a “crash”. Recovery is slow.

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
8. Immune Manifestations
Many infectious agents may trigger ME/CFS. A
subset of patients appears to have humancytomegalovirus or Epstein-Barr herpes virus
infection of the heart40, and viral infections of
the brain have been discovered in autopsies. As
human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6)41 is regarded as
an important pathogen, those patients testing
positive should be referred to an infectious
disease specialist. Hypercoagulation may betriggered by dysfunction of the endothelial cells
in patients with active HHV6. The elevatedlevels of many intracellular pathogens suggestthat immune dysfunction plays a primary role.
The upregulation of the 2-5A synthetase/RNase
L pathway in ME/CFS patients indicates anactivated immune state. This state has been
linked to a perturbed apoptotic (cellular suicide)process resulting in an accumulation of RNase L
fragments because the nuclei cannot ingest all
the resulting fragments and cannot reutilize
them. The cell death and scattering of RNA
debris may alter immunological functions andlower ATP reserves, magnesium and particularly
Although testing forcell potassium levels42.
cleavage of the native 80 kDa RNase-L moleculeusing patients meeting the Clinical Definition is
yet to be done, we postulate that the results
would be similar to the 80% of patients testing
positive using the 1988 Holmes definition. The
ratio of abnormal low 37 kDa RNase-L to normal
80 kDa RNase-L3 is associated with low oxygen
consumption of patients and corresponds toclinicalstatus.
PKR
issimultaneously
upregulated. Perforin, a cell lytic protein that
correlates with the cell’s cytolytic potential, isreduced in Natural Killer (NK) cells suggesting amolecular basis for NK cytotoxicity43. Cytokine
profiles suggest a shift of Th1, which controls
intracellular infection, to Th22. Activatedlymphocytes and elevated immunoglobulins,
particularly IgG, have been found. Immune tests
indicating low NK cell levels and function percell, measurements of protein kinase 1, andactivated immune complex may be helpful2.
Interferon induced production of 2-50 AS

enzymes may lead to hypothyroidism while thethyroid hormone levels in the blood are normal.
Acute onset patients usually exhibit moreimmune dysfunction. Immune activation
symptoms, particularly in the acute onset stage,
may sometimes occur in the absence of known
viral exposure. Physical exercise and overload
situations may trigger or exacerbate immune
symptoms.
• General malaise• Tender lymphadenopathy, particularly inthe cervical, and axillary inguinal regions• Recurrent sore throat
injectionandcrimson• Faucial
crescents may be seen in the tonsil fossae• New sensitivities to food, medication
and/or chemicals
Features in Young PeopleChildren may be diagnosed when suggestive
symptoms last more than 3 months. Numerous
symptoms may have similar severity but thehierarchy of severity differs more dramatically fromday to day than in adults. Severe exhaustion,
weakness, pain, and mood changes make life very
challenging.
Cognitive
abilities
deteriorate
particularly in topics requiring analysis, multi-task
activities, fast-paced or confusing environments,
and with physical and mental fatigue. Severely
affected young people may be bed-ridden. Because
activity level is reduced by about 50% or more,young people have difficulty or are unable tomaintain a full school program44. Unlike school
phobia, these young people spend most of theirout-of-school time resting. 51% of British students
with long-term school absenteeism suffered from
ME/CFS45. A supportive letter from the treating
physician outlining the patient’s medical conditionand limitations, and open communication between
physician and school is helpful. TEACH-ME: A

Sourcebook for Teachers of Young People with
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome,44 will assist

teachers and parents in understanding symptoms inyoung people and provide strategies for educational
planning and accommodations.

CLINICAL EVALUATION OF ME/CFS

It is important to recognize the characteristic features of ME/CFS, as well as to exclude alternate
explanations for a patient’s symptoms.
A.

PATIENT HISTORY: A thorough history, including a complete description of patient’s symptoms aswell as their severity and functional impact must be taken before attempting to classify them.
1. FOCUS ON THE PRINCIPAL SYMPTOMS OF ME/CFS: including post-exertional malaise, fatigue,

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

7

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
sleep dysfunction, pain and symptoms from neurological/cognitive, autonomic, endocrine andimmune dysfunctions. Examine the course of the symptoms, with special attention to the worseningof symptoms after exertion, prolonged recovery and fluctuating course.
2. PRESENTING COMPLAINT AND AGGRAVATING/AMELIORATING EVENTS• Date of onset• Trigger or prodromal event• Symptoms at onset• Progression of symptoms• Duration of symptoms• Hierarchy of quality and severity of current symptoms• Worsening of symptoms with exertion: symptoms which require prolonged recovery• Secondary symptoms & aggravators• Energy/Fatigue (great 100%): good day _________%, bad day ________%.
• Sleep Quality: good ________, moderate _________, poor _________• Pain Severity: absent _______, mild _______, moderate _______, severe ______• Total burden of symptom severity & current level of physical function
3. MEDICATION HISTORY: current, past, prescribed & other therapies, & sensitivities
4. SENSITIVITIES AND ALLERGY HISTORY: including new sensitivities and allergies and change instatus of pre-existing ones
5. PAST HISTORY: earlier illnesses, exposure to environmental, work, and other toxins
6. FAMILY HISTORY
7. SYSTEMS REVIEW: Many symptoms involve more than one system. Attention paid to:• Musculoskeletal: myalgia, muscle weakness, or arthralgia• CNS: fatigue with post-exertional exacerbation, neurocognitive complaints, headaches, sleep
disturbance• ANS & Cardiorespiratory: palpitations, exertional dyspnea, symptoms suggestive of neurally
mediated hypotension (NMH), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), delayed postural
orthostatic intolerance, vertigo, light-headedness, respiratory disturbances, extreme pallor• ANS & GI & GU: intestinal or bladder disturbances with or without IBS• Neuroendocrine: loss of thermostatic stability, heat/cold intolerance, marked weight change,loss of adaptability and tolerance for stress and slow recovery, emotional lability• Immune: general malaise, ‘flu-like’ feeling, recurrent sore throat, hypersensitivity to foods,
medications or chemicals
B. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Standard physical exam, with attention paid to:• Musculoskeletal System: including FMS tender point exam (appendix 6). Check joints for
inflammation, hypermobility, & restricted movement. Muscle strength: _______________
Positive tender points ________/18. Meets criteria for FMS _________, MPS _______• CNS: including reflex examination (Reflex examination during neck flexion and extension may

accentuate abnormalities arising from cervical myelopathic changes)._______________

C.

Tandem walk: forwards ________ backwards ________ Romberg test ______________• Cognitive: ability to remember questions, cognitive fatiguing (e.g. serial 7 subtraction) &cognitive interference (e.g. serial 7 subtraction & tandems done simultaneously)• Cardiorespiratory System: Arrhythmias, BP (first lying down), BP (immediately after standing).
• GI System: increased bowel sounds, abdominal bloating and/or tenderness• Endocrine System: thyroid, adrenal and pituitary dysfunction• Immune System: tender lymphadenopathy in the cervical, axillary, & inguinal regions (especiallyin acute stage) __________ Crimson crescents in the tonsillar fossae ________LABORATORY AND INVESTIGATIVE PROTOCOL: A thorough work up must be done.
• Routine Laboratory Tests: CBC, ESR, Ca, P, Mg, blood glucose, serum electrolytes, TSH,
protein electrophoresis screen, CRP, ferritin, creatinine, rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody,
CPK and liver function, as well as routine urinalysis.

ADDITIONAL TESTING: In addition to the routine laboratory tests, additional tests should bechosen on an individual basis depending on the patient’s case history, clinical evaluation,
laboratory findings, risk factors & co-morbid conditions.

• Further Laboratory Tests: diurnal cortisol levels, 24 hour urine free cortisol; hormones including

8

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
free testosterone, B12 and folate levels, DHEA sulphate, 5-HIAA screen, abdominal ultra sound,stool for ova and parasites, NK cell activity, flow cytometry for lymphocyte activity, Western blot
test for Lyme disease, chest x-ray, TB skin test, and HIV. Do testing for 37-kDa 2-5A RNase L
immunoassay.
• Differential Brain Function & Static Testing: for those with positive neurological findings• X-RAY &/or MRI of Brain and Spinal Cord: to rule out multiple sclerosis (MS) and otherprimary neurological disorders. MRI interpretation: it is important to look for changes

that are easily overlooked such as dynamic disc bulges/herniation or minor stenosis,
which can be important in the pathogenesis.

• Tilt Table Test: (If indicated, test prior to giving medication for orthostatic intolerance.)• Sleep Study: to show decrease in time spent in stage 4 sleep or rule out treatable sleep
dysfunctions.
• qEEG, SPECT and PET Scans and Spectrography: if indicated• 24-HOUR HOLTER MONITORING: repetitively oscillating T-wave inversions and/or T-wave flats
during 24-hour monitoring. Note: this pattern may not be reported or subsumed under nonspecific T-wave changes.
_____ME/CFS: If the patient’s presentation meets the criteria for ME/CFS, classify the diagnosis as
ME/CFS, except when the specified exclusions are present.
_____Idiopathic chronic fatigue: chronic fatigue but does not meet the criteria for ME/CFS or havealternative explanation
NEW SYMPTOMS: People with ME/CFS can develop other medical problems. New symptoms
need to be appropriately investigated.
Carruthers BM, Jain AK, De Meirleir KL, Peterson DL, Klimas NG, Lerner AM, Bested AC, Flor-Henry P, Joshi P, Powles ACP, Sherkey JA,
van de Sande MI. MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS/CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: Clinical Working Case Definition,
Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 11(1):7-116, 2003, pp.105-6. © Copyright 2003,
Haworth Press Inc., Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Available from Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-722-5857,
docdelivery@haworthpress.com www.HaworthPress.com Patient Evaluation Worksheet reprinted slightly condensed, with permission.

A clear diagnosis often has a considerable therapeutic benefit as it reduces uncertainty andorients therapy. Early diagnosis may assist in lessening the impact of ME/CFS.
Differences Between ME/CFS and
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
ME/CFS is commonly triggered by a viral infection.
There is usually greater fatigue, post-exertionalmalaise and fatigue, and cognitive, cardiac andimmune dysfunction than in FMS. Pain is the mostprominent feature in FMS, which is often triggeredby physical trauma. Many ME/CFS patients also
meet the criteria for FMS. The research test3 forderegulation of an antiviral defense pathway can
distinguish ME/CFS from FMS. Patients meeting
both criteria test the same as ME/CFS patients.

•

Differences Between ME/CFS and
Psychiatric Disorders
ME/CFS is not synonymous with psychiatricdisorder. Pay careful attention to the characteristics,
dynamics of progression, and correlation ofsymptoms.
• Depression: Reactions to exercise (see charton page 4) are helpful in distinguishing ME/CFS
from depression. ME/CFS patients havesymptoms such as joint and muscle pain,
severe headaches, recurrent sore throats andupper respiratory infections, tender lymph
An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

nodes, cardiopulmonary symptoms, COI,
tachycardia, and a cluster of cognitive
impairments, which are not commonly seen in
depression. Some ME/CFS patients may sufferfrom reactive depression due to theirpathophysiological impairments and reduced
quality of life, but many objective indices candifferentiate ME/CFS from primary depression.
Somatoform Disorder: There is some
symptom
overlap
betweensomatoform
disorders and ME/CFS. However, somatoform
disorder patients often have a long history ofcomplaints starting before thirty years of age.
In order to diagnose any type of somatoform
disorder, the symptoms cannot be “fully
explained by any demonstrable general medical
condition, by the direct effects of a substance,or by another mental disorder”. Many objective
biophysiologicalfindings
have
been
demonstrated to underlie the symptoms of
ME/CFS. Patients meeting the criteria of
ME/CFS must be excluded from the diagnosis ofSomatoform Disorder. Member countries of theWorld Health Organization (WHO) are obliged
to adhere to the regulations of the WHO’s
9Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
International Classification of Diseases (ICD)and use their ICD classification. In a letter
dated January 23, 2004, Andre l’Hours of WHO
headquarters clarified that “it is not permitted
for the same condition to be classified to morethan one rubic as this would mean that theindividual categories and subcategories were nolonger mutually exclusive”. Thus, ME (and
CFS), classified as a neurological diseasein the WHO ICD, cannot also be classified
as somatoform disorder, which isclassified as a mental or behaviour
disorder.

TREATMENT GUIDELINES
Goals
Early intervention can minimize the effects of
ME/CFS in some patients.
1. Top priorities are patient support andwell-being: Reduce the patient’s confusion
with a positive diagnosis, reassure continuingcare, and give realistic hope. A climate of illness
disbelief may lead to risk of suicide. It isessential for the patient’s physiological andpsychological well-being that s/he is able tomaintain autonomy concerning the pacing andcomplexity of activities and programs.
2. Patient empowerment: Respect the patient’s
knowledge of his/her body and experiences.
3. Optimizing functional ability: Assist thepatient in setting personal, emotional, andactivity boundaries in which s/he can be as
activeaspossiblewithout
aggravating
symptoms, and then encourage him/her togradually extend boundaries at his/her own
pace, and as able.
Guidelines
1. The treating physician knows the patient
best and should direct and coordinate treatment
and rehabilitative efforts.

2. All rehabilitative personnel must
knowledgeable about ME/CFS.

be

3. Thebiologicalpathophysiologyof
ME/CFS is a reality that must be
respected and reflected in all treatment
and rehabilitative programs. Total illness
burden, impairments, low endurance, overload
phenomena, and fluctuation of symptom
severity and activity boundaries must be
respected. Focus on reducing symptomatology
and maintaining function. It is essential thatthe patient does not exceed his/her endurance
limitations or activity boundaries too often or
too deeply because this can cause a severe,
long-term relapse.
4. Involve the patient in setting realistic
goals and developing an individualized,
flexible program conducive to healing.
The patient must have autonomy concerning
the complexity and pacing of activities, andincorporate rest periods as needed. Begin the
program at a level that will ensure success,assist the patient in recognizing early warning
signs, and plan alternate strategies for lowenergy days. The goal is for the patient to be
as active as possible without exacerbating
symptoms. Patients can explore ways toincrease activity boundaries if and when able.

SELF-HELP STRATEGIES (SHS)
A hypothesis underlying the use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for ME/CFS is basedon the premise that the patient’s impairments are learned due to wrong thinking and“considers the pathophysiology of CFS to be entirely reversible and perpetuated only by theinteraction of cognition, behaviour, and emotional processes. The patient merely has to change
their thinking and their symptoms will be gone. According to this model, CBT should not only
improve the quality of the patient’s life, but could be potentially curative”46. Supporters
suggest that “ideally general practitioners should diagnose CFS and refer patients topsychotherapists for CBT without detours to medical specialists as in other functional somatic
syndromes”47. Proponents ignore the documented pathophysiology of ME/CFS, disregard the10

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners
reality of the patients’ symptoms, blame them for their illness, and withhold medical treatment.
Their studies have often included patients who have chronic fatigue but excluded more severecases as well as those who have other symptoms that are part of the clinical criteria of ME/CFS.
Further, their studies fail to cure or improve physiological impairments such as OI, sore throat,
IBS, etc. Dr. A. Komaroff48, a Harvard based world authority, stated that the evidence of
biological process “is inconsistent with the hypothesis that (the syndrome) involves symptoms
that are only imagined or amplified because of underlying psychiatric distress. It is time to putthat hypothesis to rest”. Some physicians, who are cognizant of the biological pathophysiology
of ME/CFS, teach patients coping skills but call them “CBT”. We urge such doctors to use theterm “Self-Help Strategies” and avoid using the terms “Cognitive Behaviour Therapy” and“Cognitive Retraining Therapy”.
Self-help Strategies (SHS) assist patients in
coping with their chronic illness by conserving
energy, minimizing symptom flare-ups, andmaximizing coping skills and functionality.
1. Patient Education:• Meet with the patient and her/his
meaningful others as soon as possible after
diagnosis to discuss the illness, what toexpect, develop SHS, and provide
educational information.
• Assist patients in recognizing aggravatorsand early warning signs so they can stop
before exceeding their activity boundaries
and prevent crashes. Encourage patients totake their temperature before and after anactivity. If their temperature drops after anactivity, they may have done too much.
• Provide information on relaxation and stress
reduction techniques.
• Provide information regarding energy
conservation techniques and environmental
modifications.
• Encourage avoidance of known aggravators
as much as possible in order to prevent
flare-ups.
2. Self-Development: Encourage patients to• trust their feelings and experiences• set aside a time to rest and do something
they enjoy• set personal and activity boundaries andfind their optimal activity rhythms• gradually extend boundaries, if and whenable, but do not exceed activity boundaries
3. Maximizing Sleep:
Patients should be
encouraged to• conserve energy by pacing daytime
activities• listen to their body signals and incorporate
rest periods into their day as needed.
(Sleep dysfunction and low energy reserves

•
•
•
•
•
•

are prime concerns. Over-exhaustion may
increase insomnia.)
establish a regular bedtime and do quiet
activities, or use relaxation tapes before
bedtimehave a warm bath before bed to relax theirbody and keep their body warm at nightreserve bed for sleep and sex
give their body proper postural support e.g.
use a contoured pillow
keep the bedroom as a “worry-freesanctuary”
do calming and slowing meditations if sleep
is impossible

4. Balanced Diet and Nutritional
Considerations: Encourage patients to• eat a balanced, nutritious diet and eat
meals at regular times• keep well hydrated• take a multi-enzyme tablet with meals if
indicated or if they have IBS• take nutritional supplements as needed.
(The biochemistry and needs of eachpatient is unique. Chronically ill patientsrequire nutritional support for healing. Ifpractical, a vitamin and mineral profile canassist in assuring that the patient isreceiving adequate nutrients and indicate
specific deficiencies. Start with a one-a-day
vitamin/mineral
supplement,
replenishelectrolytes, and add supplements as
required.)
5. Body Movement and Fitness: Encourage
patients to• use good body mechanics and use
techniques and practices, such as yoga, toimprove balance• stay active within their limitations; avoid
activities and work which takes thembeyond their capacity

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

11

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

SELF-POWERED EXERCISE
Even though post-exertional malaise/fatigue is ahallmark feature and a criterion of ME/CFS, patientsare often prescribed exercise unwisely. Researchstudies confirm that ME/CFS patients have different
physiological responses to exercise than those whoare healthy or depressed, as indicated in the charton page 4. While not all patients exhibit all of theseabnormal reactions, most exhibit some of them.
Traditional exercise programs can provoke relapses.

•

As much care must be taken in prescribing exercise
as prescribing medication to ME/CFS patients49.
Exercise must be individualized, entered into
cautiously, and monitored diligently.
Exerciseprograms should adhere to the previously statedgoals and guidelines and the following principles:•

1. Initial Patient Evaluation:
A thoroughhistory and examination, with particularattention to cardiac vascular responses toactivity, must be completed before considering
any exercise program. The reality of the unique
medical issues, biological dysfunctions andlimitations, risk factors, and pain generators
must be identified and addressed.
2. Medical Management must be optimized
before introducing exercise. Patients with lesssevere symptoms that are under control may
benefit from very gentle exercise to maintainfunctionality. Some patients may only be able
to exercise in bed, but exercise is notrecommended for all patients.
3. Principles of Treatment: Exercise should bedone under the guidance of a well qualified
exercise physiologist or physical therapist, who
is knowledgeable about ME/CFS.

•Minimize relapses: Exercise should be
individualized,
based
on
the
patient’s
abilities/limitation,accommodate
energyfluctuations, and focus on improving function.
Exercises must be very gentle and carefully
paced. Incorporate frequent rest breaks toensure complete recovery. Often it may beappropriate to begin with two minute exercise
periods three times weekly. The patient should
be well hydrated before exercising.
Accommodate circulatory and cardiac
impairments: Many patients have reduced
maximum heart rates and must not be pushed
towards standardized age-predicted target
heart rates.
Significantly impaired oxygen
consumption levels suggest there may be anabnormal reliance on anaerobic energy
pathways during exercise in patients with
ME/CFS, thus exercises that would be aerobic
for healthy individuals may be anaerobic forpatients. Any graded exercise expansion may
be inappropriate for some.
Maximize self-efficacy: Involve patients inplanning. It is imperative for them to maintainautonomy over the intensity and pacing of
exercise and activities.

Cautions: There are potential dangers if ME/CFS
patients are pushed to increase their heart rate to
age-predicted target heart rates. As indicated in
the chart on page 4, research studies suggest that
their hearts may be functioning at a suboptimallevel and many have autonomic disturbances; thus
they may not be able to accommodate the normal
target heart rate.
Externally paced “Graded
Exercise Programs” or programs based on thepremise that patients are misperceiving theiractivity limits or illness must be avoided.

SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT
The Consensus Document (pages 49-67) provides
guidelines, dosage, effects and level of evidence forcommonly used pharmaceuticals, and are ranked inorder of the preference of the members of theConsensus Panel. Many patients are hypersensitive
to medication so begin dosage at a lower level thanrecommended. Start low, go slow. Warn patients
about possible side effects. No pharmaceutical isuniversally effective. Keep regime as simple, safe,
effective, and inexpensive as possible.

12

1. Sleep Disturbance: Sleep quality andquantity must be taken into consideration.
a. Physical remedies:
See “Maximizing
Sleep” in the previous section on Self-Help
Strategies. Patients need to incorporate rest
periods into their day as required.
Associated sleep dysfunctions should betreated, such as upper airway resistancesyndrome, and a positive pressure mask canbe prescribed for sleep apnea.

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitionersb. Other remedies: melatonin, valerian,calcium and magnesium salts, aroma
therapyc. Pharmaceuticals: Low dose tricyclic
antidepressants (short-term at low dose but
side effects can be severe, and patients
must be warned about possible weightgain), zopiclone, clonazepam, and Ltryptophan may be helpful. SSRI’s, such as
Prozac, may worsen sleep fragmentation.
2. Paina. Physical remedies: Avoid known pain
exacerbators such as prolonged sitting,standing, writing, computer work, and any
bend over work posture; and heavy lifting,housework, and gardening. Relaxation
techniques, local heat, a warm bath andgentle stretching of muscles, mobilization of
joints, magnetic pulsers, and Bio-Resonancetherapy may assist in alleviating pain.
Gentle massage therapy, physiotherapy,
chiropractic treatments, acupuncture, EMG
biofeedback, spray and stretch if tolerated,
myofascial release techniques including
needling to release taut muscles, ultrasoundand electronic muscle and nerve stimulation
may be helpful in some cases. Synaptic
Electronic Activation Technology (SEA
Tech®) has shown promising longer term
pain relief. SEA Tech® is contraindicated in
pregnancy and if pacemakers are present.
b. Pharmaceuticals: Use acetaminophen asa baseline analgesic. Short-term use of low
dose tricyclic antidepressants, NSAID
analgesics, gabapentin, and baclofen may
be useful.

c.

B12/Cyanocobalamin: Anecdotal reports
and studies suggest some ME/CFS patientswith normal blood counts improve in energy
level, cognitive ability, weakness, and moodwith mega dose B12 injections, possibly due
to a reduced ability in transporting B12 into
the cells or low CNS B12 levels.

4. Cognitive Manifestations
a. Physical remedies: Some patients are able
to think better in a semi-reclined position or
lying down. Speech therapy may be helpfulin treating problems with word-finding,information processing and memory. Mindful
meditation, mental exercises, reading within
one’s ability and then learning new
information or skills, as one is able, may beof assistance.
b. Pharmaceuticals: Try methylphenidate,modafinil, nimodipine, dextroamphetamine,cyanocobalamin - see (3c) and cautions(3b).
5. Autonomic Manifestations

3. Fatigue:
Treat sleep disturbance before
attempting to treat fatigue.
a. Physical remedies: Self-Help Strategies
including setting priorities and boundaries,
balancing activities with rest periods,
simplifying tasks and using adaptive devices
areimportant.
Breathingexercises,
restorative resting postures, massage
therapy,craniosacral
therapy,andaromatherapy for those without chemicalsensitivities may be helpful.
b. Pharmaceuticals: methylphenidate, oral
cyanocobalamin, modafinil, amantadine,
dextroamphetamine. Most fatigue killers
have short term effects and may not help
overall endurance and work capacity; they
may not extend crash points.

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

Orthostatic Intolerance and Dizzinessa. Physical remedies: If dizziness is caused
by proprioceptive disturbances in the neck,instruct the patient to avoid extension or
quick rotation of the neck. If caused byorthostatic intolerance, patients should getup slowly while holding on to something andavoid standing for extended periods of time.
Use of support stockings, avoiding large
meals and dehydration, and pumping legsintermittently when sitting may be helpful.
Immediately lying down at the first signs ofdizziness usually relieves the symptoms
caused by neurally mediated hypotension(NMH) and postural orthostatic tachycardia
syndrome (POTS).
b. Pharmaceuticals:
Before starting any
pharmaceutical treatment for NMH or POTS,
these conditions should be confirmed by atilt-table test. A combination of therapies
usually has the best result.
Begin byincreasing salt intake if the patient is not
hypertensive; then either add a beta blocker(e.g. atenolol), or an alpha 1 agonist (e.g.
midodrine). Midodrine is usually more
effective than florinef for chronic orthostatic
tachycardia. If increased salt intake helps
initially but loses its effect, consider
fludrocortisone. If these therapies are noteffective, consider paroxetine. Vertigo
requires an anti-nauseant such as meclozine,

13

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
but no treatment is particularly effective.
Meditative techniques may help mild cases.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Adjust dietand conduct food elimination trials to determine
food intolerance. Use antispasmodics and antidiarrheal agents judiciously.
6. Neuroendocrine Manifestations

Anxiety States

a. Physical remedies: Self-help strategies(SHS) assist in developing coping skills.
Relaxation techniques such as slow deep
breathing, listening to soothing music, awarm relaxing bath, massage therapy, andif the patient is able, gentle aquacise,swimming or walking can reduce tension.
Herbs such as lavender and thyme may be
helpful in some cases. Some patients may
benefit from supportive counseling.
b. Pharmaceuticals: Benzodiazepines andbuspirone are commonly used.

Depression

a. Physical remedies: Reactive depression
may result from living with a poorly
understood chronic illness which has thecomplex symptom set of ME/CFS and thegreatly reduced functionality associatedwith it. SHS, massage, and bright lighttherapy may be helpful. Patients who areseverely depressed should be referred forsupportive counseling.
b. Pharmaceuticals: SSRIs are the first line
choice but usually are ineffective in treating
fatigue and may interfere with sleep. Newer
antidepressants such as venlafaxine,
nefazodone or buproprion may be ofassistance. Most ME/CFS patients cannot
tolerate a high enough dosage of tricyclic
antidepressantstobeeffectiveindepression, but low doses may be effective
for pain and sleep, if tolerated.
c. Herbal and mineral remedies: Patientswith low red blood cell magnesium have
improved with intramuscular magnesium
sulphate in some cases. St. John’s Wort
may be effective in mild depression but
should not be used for marked depression
or taken with other antidepressants.

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA)
Axis Abnormalities

Pharmaceuticals:
fludrocortisone, (DHEA)
dehydroepinandrosterone

14

Hypoglycemia:

food low on the glycemic
index may be beneficial

7. Immune Manifestations
a. Immune
stimulator
and
viral
modulator: ampligen. Essential fatty acids(EFA) have been used for their antiviraleffect.
b. Antiviral therapies: Valacyclovir may be
helpful for confirmed herpes infection.
Herbal remedies such as wild oregano andolive leaf extract may have antiviral effects.
c. Antibiotic treatment for mycoplasmaand chlamydia:
Suggested antibiotic
treatments for confirmed mycoplasma orchlamydia infections include doxycycline,
clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin
and bioxin. Use with caution and accompany
treatment with probiotics and immune
boosters.
Blood Donations:
Donating blood is notrecommended because it may exacerbate symptoms
due to low circulating blood volume. It is possiblethat some patients carry infectious agents in theirblood.50
Immunization:
Live vaccine immunization is
generally not recommended because of the risk ofworsening symptoms and triggering relapses.
Research has confirmed a frequent dysfunction of
the 2-5A synthetase/ribonuclease L antiviral defense
pathway in many patients3. Because of these risks,
decisions regarding vaccinations must remain withthe treating physician and the patient.
If
immunization is done, it is generally recommended
that injections be administered by the treating
physician and the dose be divided into three or fourmini doses, each given a full month apart to ensure
there are no delayed reactions.
Great strides have been made in the knowledge
about ME/CFS in the last decade. Now it is time for
an intensive research program in order to bring agreater understanding and successful treatment ofpatients. It would be helpful to establish patient
subgroups, such as those who are in the acute or
chronic stage, mild or severe cases, and viral orother onset. The establishment of a Centre of
Excellence where the same patients are used innumerous studies and the research findings shared
amongst researchers may clarify information andassist in the efficient use of treatment for thedifferent subsets of patients.

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

Appendix 1: SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND SEVERITY HIERARCHY PROFILE
NAME______________________________________________ DATE __________________
1. Rank your symptoms in order of severity (1 being your most severe symptom) in the left column.
2. Rate severity of symptoms by putting a check mark in appropriate column to the right of symptoms.

Symptom Severity and Severity Hierarchy Profile
SYMPTOM

RANK

Absent
(0)

Mild
(1)

Moderate (2)Severe
(3)

x0

x1

x2

x3

Post-exertional fatigue: loss of physical and mental
stamina, fatigue made worse by physical exertion
Long recovery period from exertion: takes more than 24hours to recover to pre-exertion activity level
Fatigue: persistent, marked fatigue that substantially reduces
activity level
Sleep Disturbance: non-restorative sleep, insomnia,
hypersomnia
Pain: in muscles, joints, headaches
Memory disturbance: poor short term memory
Confusion and difficulty concentrating
Difficulty retrieving words or saying the wrong word
Gastrointestinal disturbance: diarrhea, IBS
Recurrent sore throat
Recurrent flu-like symptoms
Dizziness or weakness upon standing
Change in body temperature, erratic body temperature,cold hand and feet
Heat / cold intolerance
Hot flushes, sweating episodes
Marked weight change
Breathless with exertion
Tender lymph nodes: especially at sides of neck and underarms
Sensitive to light, noise, or odours
Muscle weakness
New sensitivities to food / medications /chemicals
Total Check Marks in Column
Column Total
Total Score: ____________ Overall symptom severity: _______ mild, ______ moderate, ______ severe(Mild – occurring at rest, moderate – symptoms that occur at rest become severe with effort, unable to work, andsevere – often housebound or bed-bound.)Other symptoms _________________________________________________________________________________
Aggravators _________________________________________________________________________
Change in symptoms ___________________________________________________________________How good is your sleep on a scale of 1-5? (5 – good restorative sleep, 1 – no sleep) _________________________How do you feel today on a scale of 1 – 10? (10 – terrific, 1 – totally bedridden) ___________________
Carruthers BM, Jain AK, De Meirleir K, et al. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case Definition,
Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols – A Consensus Document. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 11(1):7-116, 2003. © Copyright2003 Haworth Press. Document available at 1-800-HAWORTH, docdelivery@haworthpress.com, www.HaworthPress.com. Reprinted
slightly modified and condensed with permission.

An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

15

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Appendix 2: SLEEP AND PAIN PROFILE
Name ________________________________ Date _______________ to _______________
Please complete chart for the week before your next appointment.
Time
Sleep
Pain
Pain
Temp.
Day
Awakening Temp.
time
a.m.
Slept
Quality a.m.
p.m.
p.m.

Energy
level

Bed
Time

Min. to fallasleep

Week
Avg.
Temp a.m.: Take your temperature as soon as you awaken, while you are still lying down. Also indicate if
you feel cold (C), had cold feet (CF), or cold hands (CH), and if you were stiff (S).
Time Slept: Indicate approximate number of hours and minutes you slept.
Sleep Quality: Good, fair, or poor. Also indicate the number of times you woke during the night including
waking up much too early, e.g. if you woke up twice (W2). Indicate if you know why you woke up – e.g.
to urinate, muscle cramps, nasal congestion, etc.
Pain: 0 to 10. 0 being no pain, 10 being the worst pain you have experienced.
Energy Level: Indicate your average energy level for the day - 0 being bedridden, 10 full of energy.
Temp p.m.: Take your temperature before going to bed. Indicate if you feel cold.
Min. to Fall Asleep: Indicate as best you can how many minutes it took you to fall asleep.
Was anything in particular bothering you this week, e.g. family crisis? _______________________________

Pain Visual Analog Scale (Pain VAS), Body Pain Diagram
Please indicate the amount of pain you have had in the last 48 hours by marking a “/” through the line.
0
No Pain

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9
10
Excruciating Pain

On the following diagrams, please indicate your areas of: Aching: =====
Burning Pain: xxxxx
Stabbing Pain: ////// Pins & Needles: ooooo Other Pain: ppppp Describe: _________________________

Pain on Day 1

Pain on Day 7

Jain AK, Carruthers BM, van de Sande MI, et al. Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Canadian Clinical Working Case Definition, Diagnostic andTreatment Protocols – A Consensus Document. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 11(4):3-107, 2003. Co-published simultaneously as“The Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Clinical Case Definition for Practitioners. Russell IJ - Editor. © Copyright 2004 Haworth Press Inc..
Copies available from Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH, docdelivery@haworthpress.com , www.HaworthPress.com.
Reprinted slightly condensed and modified with permission from Haworth Press.

16

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

Appendix 3: ASSESSING OCCUPATIONAL DISABILITY
A.

Requirements of the Occupational Disability Assessment
1. Assess symptoms of a patient’s disability: Check the wording for entitlement of the specific disability
carrier. Give comprehensive explanations about how the patient’s symptoms/condition impose(s) particularfunctional limitation on the person’s ability to engage in the duties of his/her specific job, or any job forwhich the patient is reasonably qualified by way of education, training and experience, and which would
enable the person to earn an income commensurate with that of their present job. Clinical notes should

contain such assessments on a regular basis.

2. Assess prognosis: Care must be taken not to set definite deadlines in anticipating recovery and future
employability, because inability to meet these deadlines may be interpreted as malingering.
3. Assess rehabilitative potential: The treating physician is responsible for the patient’s care and is in thebest position to assess the patient’s condition, treatment and recovery potential. The treating physician
should direct all rehabilitative efforts and his/her opinion and advice should never be supplanted by theopinions and proposals of other rehabilitative personnel.
4. Provide medical opinion: Give a comprehensive opinion, substantiated by detailed subjective/ objective
evidence, regarding the impact of the patient’s functional limitations, the impact of disability, and whether
or not the patient’s condition necessitates him/her to remain off work to prevent further deterioration.
B. Medical Documentation
It is essential that documentation of severity of symptoms and disability is done on an ongoing basis.
1. Medical history: Document total illness burden, not just primary diagnosis. History should include
assessment by a family physician or specialist conversant with ME/CFS, diagnosis, abnormal laboratory
findings, objective physiological findings such as OI, severity of symptoms and impact on the patient’s
functional abilities, duration of illness, and response to treatments.
2. Questionnaires, patient diaries, scales, etc: Have the patient complete scales on initial visit and thenevery six months or so. These scales help monitor the patient’s status, and assess effectiveness oftreatment, general function and activities of daily living, and prognosis. Periodic, structured interviews areuseful in assessing symptom severity, interaction, impact and cumulative effects. Discussion of patient’s
diary, questionnaires, Dr. David Bell’s CFS Disability Scale, the American Medical Association’s criteria forpermanent impairment using peak oxygen consumption levels, heart rate and blood pressure responses
during exercise tests, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Profile (SF-36) may be helpful.
3. Further Documentation: Documentation of any objective findings should be included.
4. Functional Limitations: Indicate how functional limitations affect ability to do ADL, IADL, rehabilitative
programs, and work activities. Consider physical, cognitive, and emotional functional limitations, effects ofchronic symptoms, lack of endurance, impaired neurocognitive functions, unpredictability and fluctuation ofsymptom dynamics (even from hour to hour), and cumulative fatigue effects.
5. Assessment by vocational providers: Certified occupational therapists knowledgeable about ME/CFS,
can provide information regarding the patient’s level of function in the home with consideration to a 24hour work day. Workplace assessments should be conducted on the job site when possible with attention
to physical mental, emotional, social and environmental demands and workplace aggravators.
6. Assess Prognosis: In a review of prognostic studies7, a 9-year study reported 12% and the other 5
studies indicated between 0% and 6% of patients return to their premorbid state of functioning. Generally,
patients with severe acute onset symptoms and those with comorbid fibromyalgia have greater symptom
severity. The more stringent the criteria are, the poorer is the prognosis. Since it is not possible todetermine the prognosis of an individual case with certainty, prognosis remains a clinical estimate.
7. Provide medical opinion as to whether the patient is ready to return to work or is disabled.
Workplace Aggravators: (Adapted from51) The following may cause pain, and physical and cognitive fatigue:• prolonged sitting, writing, deskwork, handwork, telephone use, bending over workspace, standing, stairs,
driving, and walking more than a tolerated distance• unsupported extension of arms and reaching overhead; heavy lifting, carrying, housecleaning, gardening, etc• computer work, numerical calculations, multi-tasking, tasks requiring remembering or recent events-time
sequences; fast-paced and complex work surroundings, tight deadlines, sensory overload• change in or long work hours, shift work; environmental factors: cold, heat, air pollutants, chemicals; stress
An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document

17

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Tests for Abnormalities in ME/CFS (See www.mefmaction.net for sources of some specialized tests)
While there is not one definite test for ME/CFS, many tests may indicate abnormalities. The standard battery oftests may be inadequate to reveal abnormalities in ME/CFS patients. Many of the following tests are not available
in general medical laboratories but may be available in research facilities or more generally available in the future:• Virology, etc: viral antibodies, including Coxsackie B; bacteria, including HHV6; mycoplasma, etc.
• 37-kDa 2-5A RNase L immunoassay: protein, activity, PKR cleavage, & elastase activity assays• Other immunological markers: NK cell levels and function per cell for low NK cell cytotoxicity; CD4-CD8
ratio; ANA; activated immune complexes – IgG sub-fractions including IgG1 and IgG3, circulating immune
complexes IL2 & IL4; Th1 –Th2 response to mitogen stimulation (high levels of Th2 indicate autoimmunity),flow cytometry for activated/elevated lymphocytes; antilamin antibodies may indicate autoimmunity and brain
cell damage (lamin B antibodies are evidence of autoimmunity); humoral autoimmunity for polypeptides of thenuclear envelope (NE); antibodies in neuronal cells MAP2 (kinase regulators)• Urinary markers: 24-hour urine free cortisol; elevated amino-hydroxy-N-methyl-pyrrolidine correlate withquantity of symptoms; IAG – tryptophan metabolite, is usually positive and indicates a leaky gut, which in turnis indicative of a leaky blood brain barrier; urinary creatine & other muscle metabolites• Endocrine testing: CT scans may show reduced adrenal gland size; thyroid hormone levels with attention tobioavailability of T3 & those with reduced level should be checked for selenium as it regulates conversion of T4
to T3; reduced HPA function• Increased 5HT neurotransmission• Chronic orthostatic intolerance: Use tilt-table test or monitor the pulse and blood pressure while standing.
Note: This monitoring must be done with caution and someone standing beside the patient.
• Cardiac Dysfunction: 24-hour Holter monitoring - Specifically ask to either view the results yourself or toreport repetitive oscillating T-wave inversion and T-wave flats. This pattern is typical of many ME/CFS patientsbut may not be reported.
• Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: AMA Guide for Evaluation of Permanent Impairment.
Lower
cardiovascular and ventilatory values at peak exercise help determine functional capacity, and peak oxygen
consumption levels determine disability categories.
• Computer Science and Application (CSA™) Actigraph is a small device that measures frequency andintensity of activity in one minute intervals for up to 22 days. Typically, less intense and shorter activity peaks
followed by longer rest periods are identified. It is helpful to have the patient keep a daily diary of activities
during this period and/or wear a speedometer.
• CNS, ANS: Romberg test; nystagmus test (may fluctuate from positive & negative throughout the day);altered sympathetic modulations; subnormal and/or fluctuating diurnal body temperature• Cognitive performance: decreased processing speed, working memory, information learning, etc.
• SPECT scans may reveal significantly lower cortical/cerebellar regional cerebral blood flow frequently in thefrontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, brain stem and throughout the cerebral cortex.
• PET scans may reveal decreased glucose metabolism in the right mediofrontal cortex, and significant
hypoperfusion and hypometabolism in the brain stem.
• MRI brain scans: Elevated numbers of punctuate lesions, particularly in the frontal lobes and subcorticalareas, suggest demyelination or edema. Do spinal MRI for disc herniation and minor stenosis.
• qEEG brain topography: Elevated EEG activity in theta and beta frequencies and increased intracerebral
electrical sources in left frontal region delta and beta frequencies in eyes closed condition may be identified.
Reduced sources in right hemisphere (beta) may be noted during verbal cognitive processing.
• Hypercoagulability: flow cytrometry - fibrinogen, thrombin/anti-thrombin complexes, etc.
• Positive tests for fibromyalgia syndrome and myofascial pain syndrome should be noted.
• Skin conductivity and skin temperature: The combination of a lower ability of the skin to conduct
electrical current in response to visual and auditory stimuli, and a higher skin temperature of fingers indicate adown-regulation of autonomic sympathetic tone.
• Sleep studies may indicate that there is insufficient time spent in the deeper stages of sleep, and alpha wave
intrusion into delta waves within non-REM sleep.
• Ocular test: slowed and marked jerkiness of saccades; difficulty with and slowed changing of visual fixation,
constricted peripheral fields; low and/or incomplete blinking; small pupils; light hypersensitivity, tear film
abnormalities such as low tear break-up time, inadequate production of the oil or mucus layer in tears, rose
Bengal corneal staining; visual midline shift• Allergies or sensitivities; Lung function testing; Liver function: CPK and liver function
18

Carruthers, van de SandeA Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners

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Streeten DH, Tomas D, Bell DS. The Roles of orthostatic hypotension, orthostatic tachycardia and subnormal erythrocyte
volume in the pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome. Am J Med 320(1):1-8, Jul 2000.
Peckerman A, LaManca JJ. Dahl KA, et al. Abnormal impedance cardiography predicts symptom severity in Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome. Amer J Med Science 326(2):55-60, Aug 2003.
Codero DL, Sisto SA, Tapp WN, et al. Decreased vagal power during treadmill walking in patients with chronic fatigue
syndrome. Clin Auton Res 6(6):329-333, 1994.
Demitrack MA, Crofford LJ. Evidence for and pathophysiologic implications of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
dysregulation in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Ann N Y Acad Sci 840:684-697, May 1, 1998.
Lerner AM, Zervos M, Dworkin HJ, et al. New cardiomyopathy: pilot study of intravenous Ganciclovir in a subset of thechronic fatigue syndrome. Infec Dis in Clin Pract 6:110-117, 1997.
Ablashi DV, Eastman HB, Owen CB, et al. Frequent HHB-6 antibody and HHV-6 reactivation in multiple sclerosis MS) and
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients. C Clin Virol 16(3):179-191, May 1 2000.
Roelens S, Herst CV, D’Haese A, et al. G-actin cleavage parallels 2-5A-Dependent RNase L cleavage in peripheral bloodmononuclear cells-relevance to a possible serum-based screening test. J CFS 8(3/4):63-82, 2001.
Maher K, Klimas N, Fletcher MA. Flow cytometric measurement of perforin and natural killer cell activity. AACFS Fifth
International Research & Clinical Conference, Seattle, Jan. 2001, #47
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Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Second Edition. National ME/FM Action Network, 2005.
www.mefmaction.net
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and educational implications. J CFS 3(2):29-42, 1997.
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De Meirleir K, De Becker P, Campine I. Blood transfusion and chronic fatigue syndrome. (Abstract)
Presented at the CFS Conference, Sydney, Australia,1999.

Waylonis GW, Ronan PG, Gordon C. A profile of fibromyalgia in occupation environments. Am J Phys Med Rehabil
73:112- 115, 1994.

This short Overview only provides highlights from:
Carruthers BM, Jain AK, De Meirleir KL, Peterson DL, Klimas NG, Lerner AM,
Bested AC, Flor-Henry P, Pradip Joshi, Powles ACP, Sherkey JA, van de Sande MI.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Clinical Working Case
Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols. A Consensus Document.
Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 11(1):7-115, 2003.
The full Consensus Document is highly recommended as an informative resourcebook for medical practitioners.

20

Carruthers, van de Sande

The Canadian Consensus Document on
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This is a VITAL DOCUMENT that gives a new focus and new direction to all
involved with ME/CFS. It makes available the clinical experience andunderstanding of physicians who are pre-eminent in the field and encapsulates
thousands of hours of clinical investigations that are important to sufferers
from ME-CFS and all who are concerned for their care, support, and theunderstanding of this multi-faceted organic illness.
It offersHOPE - for patients whose multiple symptoms have so often been dismissed
as psychiatric or of biopsychosocial origin with consequent loss of benefits andsupport when they are most needed.

"Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic
CLARITY - for physicians by providing an abundance of clinical procedures andFatigue
Syndrome
isof acommonprotocolsthat provide
objective evidence
organic
multi-system and multiorgan disorders associated with the neuroendocrine and immune systems. It
Itstheimpact
oninternational
manyclassification
sufferers
isillness.
in agreement withlong establishedof MECFS as a neurological disorder, ICD-10 G.93.3.
can be profound with intrusive fatigue
DIRECTION - for clinical treatments and research programmes; especially theandmultiple
symptoms.
mostrecentones concerning
the need for sub-types inTheaddressing ME/CFS andthe deeper understanding of changes in gene expression, mitochondrial
secondaryburdentheconditionisdysfunction,and of pathologicalchangesof
in theendothelium
with concomitantvascular damage. Mitochondrial dysfunction offers an explanation of thecommonchronic
illnesses
anddebilitating
fatiguetothat allis oneof the defining
features of ME-CFS
and isconsistent with chronic heart failure recently described in a cohort of ME-CFS
includes impoverishment and apatients.
significant
personal
and
UNDERSTANDING- of impact
the complexityon
and perplexity
of ME-CFS
as a multisymptom, multi-organ and multi-system illness that is increasingly recognised
as an archetype of other related illnesses such as Gulf War Syndrome, multiple
chemical sensitivity (MCS), and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
Dr. Malcolm Hooper
Emeritus Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
Department of Life Sciences
University of Sunderland
United Kingdom

Reviews and Commentaries ofEncephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Working Case Definition, Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols
A Consensus Document
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex illness thatcan cause life-long disability, yet has languished for years without clear recognitionby the medical community. The paradox of the illness is that it can cause severe
discomfort and markedly limit daily activity, yet persons with the illness may
look, to the casual observer, relatively well. Because of this paradox, many inthe medical profession have ignored the seriousness of ME/CFS.
In the past few years, science has made extraordinary strides in understanding
the basic mechanisms of ME/CFS. Yet, because of its complexity, little of thisscience has reached medical practitioners to be used in relieving the suffering ofpatients affected with the illness. It is now possible to define abnormalities in
the neurological, immune, autonomic, and neuroendocrine systems in a concise
way that can paint a portrait of this disabling illness. The Canadian consensus
definition of ME/CFS is a concise summary of these advances and permits a clear
diagnosis for patients. The Canadian Consensus Document should be read andstudied by every medical provider.
David S. Bell, MD, FAAP
Past Chairman: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee,
US Department of Health and Human Services

While the primary goal was to establish a clinical case definition for ME/CFS,the ME/CFS Consensus Document is a comprehensive overview of ME/CFS,
including pathophysiology, symptoms, physical findings, and treatments. This
Consensus Document is clearly the most comprehensive review of ME/CFS
to date. It records the experience of many long time practitioners, which
provides an insight into signs and symptoms that has never been recorded
elsewhere. Never before has there been a consensus on treatment. This
paper considers not only pharmacotherapy, but also makes recommendations
for patient education, energy conservation, pacing, stress reduction
techniques, diet, and exercise. One of the most important aspects of the
ME/CFS Consensus Document is that it indicates the level of proof forvarious recommendations.
This is THE MANUAL for diagnosing and treating ME/CFS. Perhaps every
office that treats patients with ME/CFS should be using this document
as the diagnosis and treatment blueprint.
Charles W. Lapp, MD
Director: HUNTER-HOPKINS CENTER, Charlotte, North Carolina
Advisory Committee for CFS: US Department of Health & Human Services
Board of Directors: American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome