ME/CFS is a complex multisystem illness ranging in severity and presentation. This page contains information on illness overlap as well as guidance and literature on severe and very severe ME/CFS.

Coming soon: Pediatric and Youth Considerations

Special Considerations

Illness Overlap

Severe ME/CFS

Illness Overlap

Unraveling the Complexities of Chronic Pain & Fatigue Series

Chronic Pain & Fatigue Series – Part 1

Chronic Pain & Fatigue Series – Part 2

Chronic Pain & Fatigue Series – Part 3

Understanding Illness Overlap and Post-Viral Syndromes

Could We Possibly Be Missing a Multisystem Illness?

Post-Viral Exposure Syndrome & COVID-19

ME/CFS- The Severely and Very Severely Affected

“ME/CFS—The Severely and Very Severely Affected” is a proposed themed Special Issue of Healthcare concerning housebound and bedbound Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) patients. Our intent is to redefine ME/CFS as the serious disease that it is. Up to this point in time, all literature and case definitions of ME/CFS have excluded severely and very severely affected patients, and diagnosis, patient management, and case definitions have been based on the ambulatory ME/CFS patient. Although never formally studied, it is estimated that twenty-five percent of ME/CFS patients are either severely or very severely affected. What other disease’s diagnosis, patient care, and case definition exclude the most severely ill twenty-five percent?

We aim to document, describe, and promulgate what can and should be done for this hidden patient population. By focusing on the severely affected, it is our hope that the pathophysiological nature of the disease will be better accepted and understood, and effective methods of symptom reduction and patient improvement will be placed in the medical literature. Kenneth J. Friedman, Ph.D. is serving as Guest Editor of the issue, with Drs. Lucinda Bateman and Kenny DeMeirlier serving as co-guest editors. If you would like to consider submitting a manuscript or have questions concerning the submission of a manuscript, please contact the guest editors.

Dr. Kenneth Friedman
Dr. Lucinda Bateman
Prof. Kenny Leo De Meirleir
Guest Editors

Journal Articles

For a full list of open access journal articles, visit the Healthcare Journal website here.