Written question asked by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Friday, 1 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 June 2007. It was answered by Ivan Lewis (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 June 2007 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS (a) has approved and (b) is developing any test that can diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis in individuals; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: At present, there is no specific test for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Diagnosis is dependent on the recognition of the type and pattern of symptoms and tests to rule out other illnesses and conditions that can cause some or all of the symptoms experienced by the patient.In 2004, the Department asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce a clinical guideline on the diagnosis and management of CFS/ME. The guideline, which NICE expects to publish in August 2007, will include recommendations on the process of assessment leading to diagnosis and will include guidance on clinical case definition, appropriate timing for diagnosis and the use of laboratory, imaging or other tests.

Secondary information