Papers of the Week

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a multisystem chronic disease estimated to affect 836,000-2.5 million individuals in the United States. Persons with ME/CFS have a substantial reduction in their ability to engage in pre-illness levels of activity. Multiple symptoms include profound fatigue, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairment, orthostatic intolerance, pain, and other symptoms persisting for more than 6 months. Diagnosis is challenging due to fluctuating and complex symptoms. ME/CFS Common Data Elements (CDEs) were identified in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Common Data Element Repository. This study reviewed ME/CFS CDEs item content.