Date sent: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 CFS Research: The Need for Better Standards By Nancy Klimas, MD, University of Miami The scientific literature on chronic fatigue syndrome as an entity begins in 1988 with the first case definition that coined the controversial term “CFS” and established a set of criteria for researchers to use in selecting study subjects. Over the past 14 years, the field has grown in both the number of researchers and disciplines represented. Yet for all that’s been learned since 1988, much remains unknown about this enigmatic illness. Each research finding seems to raise more questions than it answers. The bulk of the blame, of course, lies with the vagaries of CFS itself. But the research effort also is hampered by poorly conceived, constantly changing - even non-existent - standards. Tighter research methodology could improve individual studies and enable greater comparability of research findings across studies. What follows is an overview of the areas most in need of clarification and consensus, and a summary of the efforts to achieve overarching agreement among CFS researchers. Read the article at http://cfids.org/archives/2002rr/2002-rr2-article02.asp [AOL: Read it here]