Table 1.

Comparison of the typical clinical picture of ICU patients and patients with ME/CFS.

Type	Prolonged critical illness (5)	ME/CFS (18, 19)
Neuromuscular/Neurological	“Profound weakness attributed to myopathy, neuropathy, and alterations of body composition including loss of lean body mass, increased adiposity, and anasarca” “Ventilator dependence”	• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy • Persistent exhaustion • Post-exertional malaise (symptoms worsen after exertion) • Ataxia and muscle weakness • Pain (muscle and joint pains) • Orthostatic intolerance
Endocrine/Autonomic	“Distinctive neuroendocrine changes including loss of pulsatile secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, contributing to low target organ hormone levels and impaired anabolism”	• Temperature instability • Weight loss or gain • Sleep dysfunction & unrefreshing sleep • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) • Light-headedness • Change in appetite • Nausea & irritable bowel syndrome
Immunological	“Increased vulnerability to infection, often with multi-resistant microbial organisms” “Skin breakdown associated with nutritional deficiencies, edema, incontinence, and prolonged immobility”	• Infection-immune like symptoms • Recurrent flu-like symptoms • Sweating/Fever • New sensitivities to food, medication, chemicals • Sore throat • Tender lymph nodes
Cognitive	“Brain dysfunction manifesting as coma or delirium that is protracted or permanent”	• Cognitive impairment • Brain Fog • Confusion and Disorientation • Difficulty concentrating • Short-term memory issues • Hypersensitivity to noise and light
Emotional	“Distress from symptoms including pain, thirst, dyspnea, depression, and anxiety”	• Emotional instability, anxiety, and depression