| 1 | DVBCWFS1 ;ALB/CMM CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME WKS TEXT - 1 ; 6 MARCH 1997 | 
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| 2 | ;;2.7;AMIE;**12**;Apr 10, 1995 | 
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| 3 | ; | 
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| 4 | ; | 
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| 5 | TXT ; | 
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| 6 | ;;Narrative:  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized | 
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| 7 | ;;by debilitating fatigue and several flu-like symptoms.  It may have | 
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| 8 | ;;both physical and psychiatric manifestations and closely resembles | 
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| 9 | ;;neurasthenia, neurocirculatory asthenia, fibrositis, or fibromyalgia. | 
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| 10 | ;; | 
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| 11 | ;;   FOR VA PURPOSES, A DIAGNOSIS OF CFS MUST MEET BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING | 
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| 12 | ;;   CRITERIA: | 
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| 13 | ;;   1.  New onset of debilitating fatigue that is severe enough to | 
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| 14 | ;;       reduce or impair average daily activity below 50 percent of the | 
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| 15 | ;;       patient's pre-illness activity level for a period of 6 months, | 
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| 16 | ;;       and | 
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| 17 | ;; | 
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| 18 | ;; | 
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| 19 | ;;   2.  Other clinical conditions that may produce similar symptoms | 
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| 20 | ;;       must be excluded by thorough evaluation, based on history, | 
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| 21 | ;;       physical examination, and appropriate laboratory tests. | 
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| 22 | ;; | 
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| 23 | ;; | 
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| 24 | ;;   IT MUST ALSO MEET SIX OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING TEN CRITERIA: | 
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| 25 | ;;   1.  Describe in detail: | 
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| 26 | ;;       a.  Acute onset of the condition. | 
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| 27 | ;; | 
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| 28 | ;; | 
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| 29 | ;;       b.  Low grade fever. | 
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| 30 | ;; | 
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| 31 | ;; | 
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| 32 | ;;       c.  Nonexudative pharyngitis. | 
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| 33 | ;; | 
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| 34 | ;; | 
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| 35 | ;;       d.  Palpable or tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes. | 
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| 36 | ;; | 
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| 37 | ;; | 
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| 38 | ;;       e.  Generalized muscle aches or weakness. | 
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| 39 | ;; | 
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| 40 | ;; | 
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| 41 | ;;       f.  Fatigue following lasting 24 hours or longer after exercise. | 
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| 42 | ;; | 
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| 43 | ;; | 
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| 44 | ;;       g.  Headaches (of a type, severity or pattern that is different | 
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| 45 | ;;           from headaches in the premorbid state. | 
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| 46 | ;; | 
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| 47 | ;; | 
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| 48 | ;;       h.  Migratory joint pains. | 
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| 49 | ;; | 
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| 50 | ;; | 
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| 51 | ;;       i.  Neuropsychologic symptoms. | 
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| 52 | ;; | 
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| 53 | ;; | 
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| 54 | ;;       j.  Sleep disturbance. | 
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| 55 | ;; | 
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| 56 | ;; | 
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| 57 | ;;A.  Review of Medical Records: | 
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| 58 | ;; | 
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| 59 | ;;    Comment on: | 
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| 60 | ;;    1.  Date diagnosis established. | 
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| 61 | ;; | 
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| 62 | ;; | 
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| 63 | ;;    2.  Does it meet the requirements outlined above? | 
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| 64 | ;; | 
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| 65 | ;; | 
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| 66 | ;;B.  Medical History (Subjective Complaints): | 
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| 67 | ;; | 
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| 68 | ;;    Comment on: | 
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| 69 | ;;    1.  Estimate the amount of routine daily activities that are | 
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| 70 | ;;        restricted due to CFS.  Give specific examples. | 
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| 71 | ;; | 
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| 72 | ;; | 
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| 73 | ;;    2.  If there are incapacitating episodes (requiring bed rest and | 
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| 74 | ;;        treatment by a physician), what is their frequency and duration?. | 
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| 75 | ;; | 
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| 76 | ;; | 
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| 77 | ;;    3.  Does the patient require continuous medication for CFS? | 
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| 78 | ;; | 
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| 79 | ;; | 
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| 80 | ;;C.  Physical Examination (Objective Findings): | 
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| 81 | ;; | 
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| 82 | ;; | 
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| 83 | ;;D.  Diagnostic and Clinical Tests: | 
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| 84 | ;; | 
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| 85 | ;;    1.  Include results of all diagnostic and clinical tests conducted | 
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| 86 | ;;        in the examination report. | 
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| 87 | ;; | 
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| 88 | ;; | 
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| 89 | ;;E.  Diagnosis: | 
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| 90 | ;; | 
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| 91 | ;; | 
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| 92 | ;;Signature:                             Date: | 
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| 93 | ;;END | 
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