RESOURCES
Clinical Resources
This section is intended to serve as a repository of quick and conveniently accessed information for clinicians to increase their understanding around diagnosis and management of ME and related comorbid conditions, and provide guidance and tools for assisting patients with disability-related supports and accommodation needs.
Please check back frequently and bookmark this section for easy access when you’re with patients.
Quick Links
Understanding the Basics of ME
The materials below serve as a resource for understanding ME and related comorbid conditions.
While there is no cure or approved treatment for ME at this time, there is still much that can be done to support an individual diagnosed with the illness.
Supporting and encouraging individuals with ME to rest and pace effectively, treating key symptoms and any existing comorbidities, and helping them access disability supports and accommodations can greatly increase the individual’s level of function and quality of life.
What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and often still referred to as ME/CFS, is a devastating, chronic, complex, multi-system illness. ME occurs in children, adolescents and adults of all ages and backgrounds.
There is clear recognition that ME is a serious disabling disease rooted in dysfunctions that impair energy production, the immune system, the nervous system and more.
The onset of ME is often sudden, but it can also develop gradually, typically following a viral or other type of infection. The SARS-CoV-2 virus (known as COVID-19) is the most recent example of this happening, with as many as 30% of acute COVID cases developing into Long COVID or PASC (post-acute sequelae of COVID-19), and 50% or more of those developing into ME.
The cardinal symptom of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM) or post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE), which is the worsening of symptoms after physical or cognitive exertion and usually presenting ~24-72 hours after the triggering event. Patients often describe PEM as a ‘crash’ that may take days, weeks, months or longer to recover from.
Core symptoms include profound and debilitating fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, cognitive impairment, orthostatic intolerance, autonomic impairment, chronic and severe ‘flu-like’ symptoms such as tender or swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, sore throat, as well as chronic pain, gastrointestinal symptoms and sensitivity to sound and light.
While any illness can co-exist with ME, there are several common comorbidities to be aware of. These include Fibromyalgia, POTS, dysautonomia, MCAS, EDS or hEDS, small-fibre neuropathy, SIBO, gastroparesis and IBS.
People with ME find it difficult (or impossible) to function as they did prior to illness onset, including with activities of daily living (e.g., showering, making meals). ME can present with a wide range of severity and up to 25% are bedbound or housebound at some point in their illness (many indefinitely) and 75% are unable to work.
Diagnosis is made using one of several accepted criteria. In line with the US National Institutes of Health recommendations and international best practice, the ICanCME Research Network uses the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC) and the IOM (now Academy of Medicine) definitions.
ME – Diagnosis and Management
ME Diagnosis and Management
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings – Diagnosis and Management of ME (2023)
- Underuse of Pharmacologic Therapies for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Before Specialist Evaluation (2026)
Consensus Recommendations (2021)
IOM Criteria (now National Academy of Medicine) (2015)
Canadian Consensus Criteria (2003)
- A Clinical Case Definition and Guideline for Medical Practitioners
- Centre for Effective Practice – Ontario Tools for ME, Fibromyalgia and POTS (2024)
U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition Resources
- U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition – Diagnosing ME/CFS in People with Long COVID
- U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition – Testing Recommendations
- U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition – Treatment Recommendations
- U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition – Website (Clinical Management Section)
Webinars
- Dr. Muirhead on ME diagnosis and management (hosted by CIHR-IMHA)
- Dr. Bateman, Dr. Muirhead, Dr. Nacul and Dr. Robertson on ME diagnosis and management
- Dr. Yellman on What is Post Exertional Malaise (Video)
- Dr. Yellman on What is Post Exertional Malaise (Presentation Slides)
- Dialogues for MECFS – Understanding Post Exertional Malaise (PEM)
- UNREST documentary on YouTube
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)
Pacing Resources
Pacing and Management Guides
Common Comorbidities – Diagnosis and Management
Orthostatic Intolerance
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
- Bateman Horne Center – Presentation on MCAS (Video)
- Bateman Horne Center – Presentation on MCAS (Slides)
- Guide for MCAS Diagnostic Workup
Vascular Compression Syndromes
Ehlers-Danlos and Hypermobility Disorders
Resources to follow soon.
Special Considerations
Special Considerations