Health Insurance Officially Recognizes 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome'

France's health insurance system has officially updated its description of chronic fatigue syndrome, now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), removing its classification as a psychological disorder. This significant shift, quietly implemented on the Ameli.fr website on August 6, is being hailed by patient associations as a crucial step after years of medical uncertainty for many.

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This institutional recognition is an important step.

The updated information defines ME/CFS as a disease causing chronic, disabling exhaustion and a worsening of symptoms after minor physical or mental exertion. Crucially, it states that the condition "should not be considered a psychological disorder." Patient groups emphasize that this recognition acknowledges post-exertion malaise as a central symptom, the varying severity levels of the illness, the importance of energy management (pacing), and the risks associated with graded exercise programs.

Until now, patients often faced what they described as a "psychologization of the disease" during medical consultations. The French Association for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Systemic Intolerances to Effort (AFEMISE) views this institutional recognition as a major advancement. Similarly, the association Millions Missing France, which advocates for greater visibility and better care for ME/CFS patients, hopes this update will lead to improved understanding among patients and healthcare professionals.

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This update constitutes an advancement that, we hope, will allow concerned individuals (patients, health professionals, etc.) better information and/or understanding of the basics of the disease.

While precise national statistics are lacking, the Assurance Maladie estimates that around 200,000 adults in France had ME/CFS before the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the number of affected individuals is believed to have significantly increased, potentially reaching over a million, with many cases still undiagnosed, according to Millions Missing France. This official recognition aligns France with the guidelines of numerous other countries.

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The estimations available suggest that this disease affected about 200,000 adults in France before the COVID-19 pandemic and that the number of people affected has increased sharply since the pandemic.