ICD Classification

A revised version of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11) is due to be implemented in January 2022.

The ICD is the diagnostic classification standard for all clinical and research purposes, and is therefore highly influential. Its many uses include identifying health trends, and monitoring and reporting diseases, resource allocation, safety and quality.

ICD-11 will include a new classification, Bodily Distress Disorder, which is defined as “characterized by the presence of bodily symptoms that are distressing to the individual and excessive attention directed toward the symptoms, which may be manifest by repeated contact with health care providers”.

There have been understandable concerns that ME/CFS would be grouped under this diagnosis of Bodily Distress Disorder in the new revision, which might mean that individuals with the illness would be directed through psychiatric care.

However, thanks to the sterling efforts of campaigners over many years, ICD-11 will NOT include Postviral Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis under the new classification.

At the moment, ICD-10 lists Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in the ‘Diseases of the nervous system’ heading, under PostViral Fatigue Syndrome (Block 93.3, ICD 10th revision, 2007), as follows:

• Diseases of the nervous system
  • Other disorders of brain
    • Other disorders of the nervous system
      • G93.3 Postviral fatigue syndrome
        • Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis

ICD-11 will list both Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome separately, but still under ‘Diseases of the nervous system’ and Postviral Fatigue Syndrome (Block 8E49, ICD 11th revision, 2019), as follows:

• Diseases of the nervous system
  • Other disorders of the nervous system
    • 8E49 Postviral fatigue syndrome
      • Benign myalgic encephalomyelitis
      • Chronic fatigue syndrome