How to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome

  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a group of syndromes with chronic fatigue persisting or recurring for more than 6 months, accompanied by non-specific symptoms such as hypothermia, headache, sore throat, myalgia, neuropsychological symptoms, sleep disorders, etc. CFS occurs in the age group of 20 to 50 years, and is more common in women, especially in brain power workers. The prevalence of CFS is higher in women, especially those who work in the brain.  1, clinical manifestations (1) fatigue: reduced vitality, weakness, or even sweating when moving, easy to catch a cold, like to sit and lie down, reluctant to participate in physical activities.  (2) Sleep disorders: often accompanied by difficulty in falling asleep, sleep, shallow sleep and easy to be frightened, or even sleeplessness or sleepiness.  (3) Neuropsychiatric symptoms: often accompanied by low self-esteem, nervousness, depression, poor concentration, memory loss, reduced ability to study and work, and distressed by it.  (4) Other concurrent symptoms: low fever, headache, sore throat, pain in multiple joints, peripheral aches and pains or lymph node tenderness in the neck or axilla, anorexia, nausea, spontaneous night sweats, vertigo, constipation, loose stools, astringent eyes, tinnitus, etc.  2. Auxiliary tests: Symptom self-rating scale SCL90, fatigue scale FS-14, etc. can be used as auxiliary diagnostic tools. Routine laboratory tests such as blood and urine routine, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, etc. are also used to exclude organic lesions.  3. Diagnostic criteria: Refer to the diagnostic criteria revised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1994.  (1) Chronic fatigue that cannot be resolved by clinical assessment, persistent or recurrent for more than 6 months, and not caused by continuous exertion, and cannot be relieved by adequate rest.  (2) The combination of four or more of the following symptoms: a. Memory or concentration loss; b. Sore throat; c. Swollen and painful lymph nodes in the neck or axilla; d. Muscle pain; e. Joint pain without redness or swelling; f. Newly developed headache; g. Sleep disturbance or disorder; h. Fatigue for more than 24 hours after exercise. (3) Laboratory tests such as routine blood and urine, liver and kidney function, thyroid function, etc. are not abnormal.  (4) Exclude the following: having an active disease that can explain chronic fatigue, such as hypothyroidism, sleep apnea syndrome; having a diagnosed and still untreated disease, such as malignancy, hepatitis B or C; having a previous or current serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, delusions, neurotic appetite loss; having a history of alcohol or other drug dependence; and being severely obese.