Diagnostics

Charité questionnaire for diagnosing ME/CFS (CCC)

ME/CFS is a complex disease with no generally accepted specific biomarkers, whose diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and the exclusion of other diseases. The core symptom is post-exertional malaise (PEM). The Canadian consensus criteria, international consensus criteria and IOM criteria offer different approaches to diagnosis. The severity is assessed using questionnaires and physical measurements such as the Bell Scale and handgrip strength measurement. The exclusion and treatment of comorbidities are also important.

The diagnosis is often difficult and can take several years. Many patients need to visit numerous doctors before the diagnosis is confirmed. This is partly due to the fact that

​

ME/CFS plays a minor role in medical training and is therefore unknown to many doctors. Unfortunately, inappropriate therapies waste valuable time, which can worsen symptoms and the prognosis.

The 2003 "Canadian Definition" has become internationally accepted as the basis for ME/CFS research and clinical diagnosis. This definition scheme can be used to clinically confirm a diagnosis of ME/CFS (e.g. using the Charité Fatigue Centre questionnaire). The Canadian Consensus Document defines ME/CFS according to the following criteria:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an often severe illness that, in addition to fatigue, is accompanied by varying degrees of physical and neurocognitive symptoms. ME/CFS can be described as a "neglected disease" because, although ME/CFS is relatively common, it is not diagnosed in many of those affected. According to estimates by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4 million people in the US alone are directly affected by CFS. In Germany, a 1993 study by the Federal Ministry of Health estimates a prevalence of 0.3%. The WHO has classified CFS as a disease of the nervous system, and the ICD also lists CFS as a neurological disease under G93.3.

This self-test is based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria, an internationally recognized scheme for the clinical diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It is important to understand that this test is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis by a healthcare professional. Instead, it is intended as a tool to help identify possible symptoms of ME/CFS and to understand whether further medical evaluation may be appropriate.