Almost 250,000 Americans have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) (collectively known as CFS, ME/CFS, and SEID (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Syndrome), yet this is thought to be only 10% of the affected population. The cause of the disease is unknown, and there are no diagnostic tools available beyond a thorough medical history and physical to help confirm a diagnosis. Physicians report difficulty identifying CFS because the current diagnostic criteria are still being adopted and many of the symptoms are commonly confused with other chronic diseases, such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease, which may or may not rule out CFS depending on additional factors. The CFS diagnosis is one of exclusion of other sources of fatigue versus a confirmation of the condition itself.
Around the country, people living with the symptoms and diagnosis of CFS are joining The CHROME Study to help researchers develop a better understanding of CFS presentation, symptom management, and effective therapeutics.