Accurate diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome based upon objective test methods for characteristic symptoms

Table 1 International Consensus Criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis[18]

Post-exertional neuro-immune exhaustion:

A pathological inability to produce sufficient energy on demand with prominent symptoms primarily in the neuroimmune regions

Neurological impairments

At least one symptom from three of the following four symptom categories: Cognitive impairments (information processing and short-term memory)

Pain (e.g., headache, muscle, joint, abdominal and/or chest pain)

Sleep disturbance (disturbed sleep patterns and unrefreshing sleep)

Neurosensory, perceptual and motor disturbances

Immune, gastro-intestinal and genitourinary impairments

At least one symptom from three of the following five symptom categories:

Flu-like symptoms, e.g., sore throat and tender lymph nodes

Susceptibility to viral infections with prolonged recovery periods

Gastro-intestinal tract complaints, e.g., irritable bowel syndrome

Genitourinary complaints: e.g., nocturia

Sensitivities to food, medications, odours or chemicals

Energy production and - transportation impairments

At least one of the following four symptoms:

Cardiovascular symptoms, e.g., (delayed) orthostatic intolerance

Respiratory problems, e.g., air hunger and fatigue of chest wall muscles

Loss of thermostatic stability, e.g., sweating episodes or feverish feeling

Intolerance of extremes of temperature