Idiopathic chronic fatigue

Idiopathic Chronic Fatigue
Other namesChronic Idiopathic Fatigue (CIF), insufficient/idiopathic fatigue (ISF), unexplained chronic fatigue
SpecialtyFamily medicine, Internal medicine, Musculoskeletal
SymptomsChronic fatigue
Usual onsetAcquired (not lifelong)
DurationAt least six consecutive months
CausesUnknown
Diagnostic methodBased on symptoms. Diagnosis of exclusion requiring laboratory evaluation, physical and biopsychosocial assessment.
Differential diagnosisOccupational burnout; chronic fatigue due to a known medical condition such as chronic fatigue syndrome, overtraining
TreatmentSymptomatic
Frequency6.2 to 64.2 per 1000

Idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF) or chronic idiopathic fatigue or insufficient/idiopathic fatigue is a term used for cases of unexplained fatigue that have lasted at least six consecutive months and which do not meet the criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Such fatigue is widely understood to have a profound effect on the lives of patients who experience it.