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Abstract Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also called systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID), is a complicated and sometimes controversial disease characterized by unexplained, persistent, and relapsing fatigue. In some situations, diagnosis can be difficult due the lack of objective clinical or laboratory findings associated with this disorder. The long-term prognosis is favorable in many cases, although treatment options are limited. CFS/SEID has received considerable attention but remains a complicated and controversial disease. Much of this is due to the lack of objective findings. Nonetheless, patients with CFS/SEID have real symptoms and are not malingerers. The prevalence of this syndrome is unclear in part due to difficulties in proving the diagnosis. CFS/SEID has been recognized as a cause of morbidity, the etiology of the syndrome is unknown, and only symptomatic treatments are available. No biologic markers of CFS have been identified, and no diagnostic tests have been developed; the illness is diagnosed primarily on the basis of symptoms and signs reported by the patient and exclusion of other possible causes of prolonged, debilitating fatigue. CFS/SEID is associated with the following groups. |