Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Complete Practice Test 2025

The criteria used for diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is primarily based on the Fukuda Criteria. This set of criteria was established in the 1994 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and outlines specific symptoms and their duration necessary for a diagnosis. The Fukuda Criteria emphasize the presence of significant fatigue and other criteria, such as post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties, all of which must persist for at least six months and not be attributable to other medical conditions.

In contrast, the DSM-5 focuses on mental disorders and does not specifically address CFS, thus making it inappropriate as a diagnostic tool for this condition. While the Mayo Clinic provides valuable guidelines on understanding and managing CFS, these guidelines are not formal diagnostic criteria. Lastly, the World Health Organization (WHO) standards encompass a broader range of health conditions and classifications, and while they recognize CFS as a medical condition, they do not provide specific criteria tailored for its diagnosis. Therefore, the Fukuda Criteria remains the most recognized and utilized framework for diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.