R53 ICD-10-CA code: Malaise and fatigue

R53 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Malaise and fatigue” in CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026.

Official description

R53

Malaise and fatigue

ICD-10-CA · Canada

Index terms

Entries in CIHI’s alphabetical index that lead to R53. Searching the index by the condition the note names is how coders reach this code.

  • Fatigue
  • Malaise
  • Lethargy
  • Worn out
  • Tiredness
  • Prostration
  • Weak, weakness
  • Decline (general)
  • Vitality, lack of
  • Asthenia, asthenic
  • Syndrome, postviral NEC
  • Exhaustion (physical NEC)
  • Debility (chronic) (general)
  • Deterioration, general physical

Notes for R53

As CIHI prints them, with any note R53 takes from the headings above it.

Includes

  • Asthenia NOSDebility:• NOS• chronicGeneral physical deteriorationLethargyTiredness

Excludes

Conditions classified elsewhere.

  • Debility:• congenital (P96.9)• senile (R54)exhaustion and fatigue (due to)(in):• combat (F43.0)• excessive exertion (T73.3)• exposure (T73.2)• heat (T67.-)• neurasthenia (F48.0)• pregnancy (O26.8-)• senile asthenia (R54)fatigue syndrome (F48.0):• postviral (G93.3)
  • Abnormal findings on antenatal screening of mother (O28.-)certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)From Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

Note

  • Signs and symptoms that point rather definitely to a given diagnosis have been assigned to a category in other chapters of the classification. In general, categories in this chapter include the less well-defined conditions and symptoms that, without the necessary study of the case to establish a final diagnosis, point perhaps equally to two or more diseases or to two or more systems of the body. Practically all categories in the chapter could be designated "not otherwise specified", "unknown etiology" or "transient". The Alphabetical Index should be consulted to determine which symptoms and signs are to be allocated here and which to other chapters. The residual subcategories, numbered .8, are generally provided for other relevant symptoms that cannot be allocated elsewhere in the classification.The conditions and signs or symptoms included in categories (R00-R99) consist of:(a) cases for which no more specific diagnosis can be made even after all the facts bearing on the case have been investigated;(b) signs or symptoms existing at the time of initial encounter that proved to be transient and whose causes could not be determined;(c) provisional diagnoses in a patient who failed to return for further investigation or care;(d) cases referred elsewhere for investigation or treatment before the diagnosis was made;(e) cases in which a more precise diagnosis was not available for any other reason;(f) certain symptoms, for which supplementary information is provided, that represent important problems in medical care in their own right.From Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)

Where R53 sits

  1. 1ChapterChapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
  2. 2Block R50-R69General symptoms and signs
  3. 3Valid code R53Malaise and fatigue

Source and release

Data release
ICD-10-CA · FY 2026–2027
Effective date
Apr 1, 2026
Publisher
CIHI

This page is built from the ICD-10-CA catalog that Vero Codes reads when it suggests codes: Canadian Institute for Health Information’s FY 2026–2027 release, imported from the publisher’s file and checked against it. The description, notes and structured data come from the same record.

Frequently asked questions

What does ICD-10-CA code R53 mean?

R53 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Malaise and fatigue” in CIHI’s ICD-10-CA FY 2026–2027 release.

Where is R53 in ICD-10-CA?

R53 sits under R50-R69 General symptoms and signs, within Chapter 18: Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

What coding notes apply to R53?

ICD-10-CA lists Includes, Excludes, Note notes for R53, including those from the headings it sits under. They are listed on this page with where each one comes from.

Which ICD-10-CA release does this page use?

It uses CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. It is a reference: confirm the code against the current list and the payer’s rules before you submit it.