Dr. Leonard Jason’s team at De Paul University found that eleven symptoms were sufficient to accurately identify ME/CFS patients. These symptoms were clustered in five areas:
- Profound loss of energy (fatigue)
- Post-exertional malaise of PEM (symptoms worsen after physical or mental exertion)
- Cognitive impairment
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Pain in joints and muscles, as well as headaches
Doctors often refer to the above symptoms as “non-specific” meaning they are common to a number of illnesses. In fact, healthy people also experience fatigue, muscle aches, and insomnia, as well as many other symptoms on the list, but what marks ME/CFS symptoms as unusual is that they worsen after exertion. They are also distinguished by their severity, frequency and duration. ME/CFS symptoms can be incapacitating, they can be experienced daily, and symptoms may last for years.
SYMPTOMS SCALE
Not all patients experience the same severity of illness. As with any other disease, including the common cold, symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe. Patients often rate themselves on a 1-10 scale, with 1 being bedbound, and 10 fully recovered.
In addition, there are three general levels of illness: mild, moderate, and severe.
Mild: Patients are mobile, can care for themselves, do light housework and work part-time, or even full-time with the curtailment of all other activities. Mildly ill patients experience easy fatigability and loss of stamina and must plan their activities carefully.
Moderate: Patients have reduced mobility and are restricted in all activities of daily living. They have usually stopped work or school. Moderately ill patients feel exhausted after activities.
Severe: Patients are unable to do anything without assistance. They spend most of the day in bed and are sensitive to light and noise. Severely ill patients often feel as if they have the flu.
Patients may suffer relapses at any point in the illness. Even mildly ill patients may become severely ill during a relapse.
