Fatigue-Related Problem Scale for Better Understanding of Pathophysiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder diagnosed following at least 6 months of disabling, unexplained mental and physical fatigue accompanied by other physical and psychological symptoms. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by diffuse pain and tender points, which must be present for more than 3 months. These patients have the path similarity in psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunological system. In this paper, we introduce quantitative methods for assessment of fatigue developed by us. We then briefly summarize abnormalities found in CFS and FM, and show the neural and molecular mechanisms and introduce potential common biomarkers for CFS and FM.