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ME is a serious and potentially disabling chronic physical disorder, affecting up to 12,000 people in Ireland. Of that number, approximately 25% of those would be considered to be severely disabled, rendering them housebound and even bedbound and leaving the individual dependent upon carers for their everyday needs.
ME has been formally classified by the World Health Organisation as a neurological disorder in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) since 1969, although history has shown that this classification does not suit everybody. The renaming in the US of ME to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has led to loosening of the criteria for diagnosis and inconclusive research studies.
We believe that the best hope of achieving definitive diagnostic markers and subsequent tailored treatment protocols is for healthcare professionals and researchers to embrace the Canadian Consensus Document for ME/CFS and to strive to develop subgroups for research.
To date there is no known specific medical diagnostic test to determine or confirm a correct diagnosis nor is there any specific treatment which works for all sufferers. It is only through quality research that progress can be achieved in these areas.
 Member of the European ME Alliance
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