Questionnaire Methodology
How Elara frames questionnaires for ME/CFS, FUNCAP-27, and fibromyalgia: criteria, score logic, limits, and safe interpretation.
What the questionnaires can do
The questionnaires structure symptoms, exertion burden, and functional limitations. They are designed as documentation and orientation tools.
- Symptoms are captured against defined criteria groups.
- Scores make patterns more visible, but they do not replace clinical evaluation.
- Results are most useful for tracking, self-observation, and preparing clinician conversations.
What they cannot do
A self-check cannot perform exclusion diagnostics and cannot determine individual treatment.
- No result page provides a confirmed diagnosis.
- Other causes, comorbidities, and red flags require medical assessment.
- Acute or suddenly severe symptoms require medical evaluation, not a self-test.
How results should be interpreted
A single score is only one slice of the picture. It becomes more useful when linked to time course, PEM, exertion, and daily function.
- For ME/CFS, PEM context is central because symptoms can worsen with delay after exertion.
- For FUNCAP-27, daily functional capacity matters more than symptom intensity alone.
- For the fibromyalgia check, WPI and symptom severity should be interpreted together.
Questionnaire paths
Each assessment should be read with its purpose and limits in mind.
ME/CFS Symptom Check
Structured against the Canadian Consensus Criteria and ME/CFS-oriented symptom groups.
FUNCAP-27 Questionnaire
Captures functional limitations and daily capacity in ME/CFS-oriented illness courses.
Fibromyalgia Symptom Check
Uses ACR-oriented logic combining pain distribution and symptom severity.
Frequently asked methodology questions
Are Elara questionnaires diagnostic tests?
No. They are structured self-checks for orientation and documentation. Diagnosis requires medical assessment and, where relevant, exclusion of other causes.
Why are questionnaire results still useful?
They can make symptoms, functional limitations, and timing patterns more precise. This helps self-observation and conversations with clinicians.
Why does Elara connect questionnaires with pacing and longitudinal tracking?
Many chronic conditions fluctuate. A result becomes more useful when connected with symptoms, exertion, recovery, and repeated measurements.
When should a result be discussed medically?
If symptoms are new, severe, persistent, worsening, or limiting daily life, the result should be interpreted medically. For acute red flags, immediate medical care matters more than a questionnaire.
Elara questionnaires provide information, orientation, and documentation. They do not replace medical diagnosis, emergency care, or treatment.