Chronic fatigue syndrome Microchapters |
Differentiating Chronic fatigue syndrome from other Diseases |
---|
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics On the Web |
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics |
FDA on Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics |
CDC on Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics |
Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics in the news |
Blogs on Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics |
Risk calculators and risk factors for Chronic fatigue syndrome epidemiology and demographics |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Due to problems with the definition of CFS, estimates of its prevalence vary widely. Studies in the United States have previously found between 75 and 420 cases of CFS for every 100,000 adults. The CDC states that more than 1 million Americans have CFS and approximately 80% of the cases are undiagnosed.[1] All ethnic and racial groups appear susceptible to the illness, and lower income groups are slightly more likely to develop CFS.[2] More women than men get CFS — between 60 and 85% of cases are women; however, there is some indication that the prevalence among men is underreported. The illness is reported to occur more frequently in people between the ages of 40 and 59. Blood relatives of people who have CFS appear to be more predisposed.[2][3] However, CFS does not appear directly contagious; caretakers, partners and others in close contact with persons with CFS for years do not develop CFS any more frequently (excluding relatives, as earlier).
Epidemiological research on children and adolescents has received minimal focus according to a 2006 research review. Among minors, prevalence appears to be lower than for adults and various studies have found a range of 50-80% of the cases occur in girls. The authors hypothesize the differences in estimates of ME/CFS among pediatric studies may result because of the lack of a reliable pediatric case definition.[4]
CFS generally occurs in endemic cases. In addition, over 50 instances have been documented, such as the Royal Free Hospital incident, where epidemic clusters were reported.[5][6] In these instances, significant numbers of people came down with illnesses described as ME or CFS simultaneously, confined to a local area or even a single building. An infectious origin for these clusters was considered highly likely due to:
Since most current definitions of CFS exclude such findings and signs, it is disputed whether they refer to a differential diagnosis (but see below).
According to the CDC, CFS itself is not contagious.[7]