M.E. Foggy Dog prefers to use the M.E. International Consensus Criteria within our campaigning and social entrepreneurship.
The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis International Consensus Criteria (M.E. ICC) is a medical case definition that can accurately diagnose M.E.
A patient will meet the criteria for M.E. if they have:
A – Post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (Compulsory) also known as Post-Exertional Malaise and Post-Exertional Symptom Exacerbation
B – at least ONE neurological impairment symptom from THREE categories:
- Neurocognitive Impairments
- Pain
- Sleep Disturbance
- Neurosensory, Perceptual and Motor Disturbances
C – at least ONE immune/gastro-intestinal/genitourinary impairment from THREE categories:
- Flu-like symptoms may be recurrent or chronic and typically activate or worsen with exertion
- Susceptibility to viral infections with prolonged recovery periods
- Gastro-intestinal tract
- Genitourinary
- Sensitivities to food, medications, odors or chemicals, and
D – at least ONE energy metabolism/ion transport impairment symptom:
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
- Loss of thermostatic stability
- Intolerance of extremes of temperature
For a diagnosis of M.E., symptom severity must result in a significant reduction of a patient’s pre-illness activity level:
- Mild = 50% reduction in pre-illness activity level
- Moderate = mostly housebound
- Severe = mostly bedridden
- Very severe = totally bedridden and need help with basic functions
The full M.E. ICC document can be found here – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x