A health advisory body in the US has proposed a new name and diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Many patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome believe that the term “chronic fatigue syndrome” perpetuates misunderstanding of the illness and dismissive attitudes from health care providers and the public.

The term “myalgic encephalomyelitis” is inappropriate because there is a lack of evidence for encephalomyelitis (brain inflammation) in ME/CFS patients, and myalgia (muscle pain) is not a core symptom of the disease, the report by the Institute of Medicine said.

The committee proposes the new name of systemic exertion intolerance disease, or SEID.

“This name captures a central characteristic of the disease: the fact that exertion of any sort— physical, cognitive, or emotional—can adversely affect patients in many organ systems and in many aspects of their lives,” the committee said in its report. 

The new diagnostic criteria include six months of profound, unexplained fatigue and postexertional malaise, and unrefreshing sleep. Patients must also exhibit cognitive problems or orthostatic intolerance.

“The application of these new criteria will allow a large percentage of currently undiagnosed patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care,” the committee said.