HL Deb 11 March 2004 vol 658 cc199-200WA
Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Given that they subscribe to the World Health Organisation (WHO) redesignation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) as a neurological illness under the title ICD10 G93.3 and that the WHO lists no such illness as ME, whether the Government will cease to use the title ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. [HL1684]

Lord Warner

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is an internationally recognised term for this condition and is used and understood by both clinicians and patients. The US Department of Health and Human Sciences Centres for Disease Control and Prevention adopted the name Chronic: Fatigue Syndrome in 1988.

There is much medical literature tied to the current name, and a change of name should wait at least until an accepted biological marker is found. Until a new name for this illness is agreed internationally we will have to continue to use Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis to describe it.

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