Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a multisystem disease of the previously unknown aetiology. The dominant symptom is persistent fatigue, significantly limiting the patient's activity.
The essence of the syndrome appears to be altered reactivity to environmental stress, the development is apparently caused by disorders and dysregulations of immunity and neuroendocrine system, psychogenic factors also have a significant influence. The trigger may be a number of stimuli that are still under discussion.
Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, with the emphasis on excluding other (especially organic) causes of the disease. There is no causal therapy, treatment is based more on non-pharmacological approaches.
CFS patient care is very demanding, requires a lot of time, patience and detailed patient education, which is problematic in the current healthcare system.