The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group.
The complexities of the chronic fatigue syndrome and the methodologic problems associated with its study indicate the need for a comprehensive, systematic, and integrated approach to the evaluation, classification, and study of persons with this condition and other fatiguing illnesses. We propose a conceptual framework and a set of guidelines that provide such an approach. Our guidelines include recommendations for the clinical evaluation of fatigued persons, a revised case definition of the chronic fatigue syndrome, and a strategy for subgrouping fatigued persons in formal investigations.
Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333.
K
K
Fukuda
S E
SE
Straus
I
I
Hickie
M C
MC
Sharpe
J G
JG
Dobbins
A
A
Komaroff
D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research