The myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

The myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome has been described over the past 40 years as a relapsing illness occurring mainly in young females, with the cardinal symptoms of muscle pain and exhaustion. This paper reviews recent studies on the syndrome in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. The possible pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed, as is the difficulty of managing such patients where no certain aetiology is present. It is suggested that the syndrome should be described as the myalgic exhaustion syndrome.