Epidemiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Difference between revisions

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'''Epidemiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome''':
'''Epidemiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome''':


Statistics on the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome vary. The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] estimates that one million people in the [[United States|US]] have ME/CFS and as many as 17-24 million people worldwide have ME/CFS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ammes.org/how-many-people-have-mecfs/|title=How Many People Have ME/CFS? – American ME and CFS Society|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> A recent UK biobank study places that estimate at 30 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mecfsresearchreview.me/2018/06/11/analysis-of-data-from-500000-individuals-in-uk-biobank-demonstrates-an-inherited-component-to-me-cfs/|title=Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS|last=McGrath|first=Simon|date=2018-06-11|website=ME/CFS Research Review|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Institute of Medicine report|Institute of Medicine Report]] estimated there were between 836,000 and 2.5 million [[ME/CFS]] patients in the [[United States]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2015/MECFS/MECFS_ReportBrief.pdf|title=Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Redefining and Illness - Report Brief|last=|first=|authorlink=|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=2015|website=nataionalacademies.org|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2015/MECFS/MECFS_KeyFacts.pdf|title=Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Key Facts|last=|first=|authorlink=|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=2015|website=nationalacademies.org|publisher=National Academies of Medicine|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> 90% of patients are not diagnosed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html|title=What is ME/CFS? {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) {{!}} CDC|date=2019-01-18|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
Statistics on the prevalence of [[myalgic encephalomyelitis]] and [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] vary. The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] estimates that one million people in the [[United States|US]] have ME/CFS and as many as 17-24 million people worldwide have ME/CFS.<ref name="ammes-people">{{Cite web | url=https://ammes.org/how-many-people-have-mecfs/ | title = How Many People Have ME/CFS? – American ME and CFS Society|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> A recent UK biobank study places that estimate at 30 million.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://mecfsresearchreview.me/2018/06/11/analysis-of-data-from-500000-individuals-in-uk-biobank-demonstrates-an-inherited-component-to-me-cfs/ | title = Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS | last = McGrath | first = Simon | date = 2018-06-11 | website = ME/CFS Research Review|language=en|access-date=2019-02-23}}</ref> In 2015, the [[Institute of Medicine report|Institute of Medicine Report]] estimated there were between 836,000 and 2.5 million [[ME/CFS]] patients in the [[United States]].<ref name="SEID-IOM2015">{{Cite book | last = Institute of Medicine | authorlink = Institute of Medicine | title = Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness|location=Washington, DC| publisher = The National Academies Press | date = 2015 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK284902/|isbn=0309316898|pmid = 25695122 |doi = 10.17226/19012 }}</ref><ref name="Key">{{Cite web | url=https://www.nap.edu/resource/19012/MECFS_KeyFacts.pdf | title=Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Key Facts | last = | first = | authorlink = | date = 2015 | website = The National Academies of Medicine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327085836/https://www.nap.edu/resource/19012/MECFS_KeyFacts.pdf | archive-date=2020-03-27|access-date=}}</ref> 90% of patients are not diagnosed.<ref name="What-is">{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/index.html | title = What is ME/CFS? {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | date = 2019-01-18 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref><ref name="Key" />


Twenty-five percent of ME/CFS patients have a very [[Severe and very severe ME|severe form]] of it.<ref>[https://raisingawarenessforcfs.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/raising-awareness-for-cfsmecfids/ Raising Awareness for ME/CFS - Jan. 2011]</ref><ref>[http://mecfsdocumentary.com/sample-page/ ME/CFS Documentary - About ME/CFS]</ref> This 25% of patients are [[Severe and very severe ME|severely ill]] and are either bed-bound, wheelchair bound, or are housebound or nearly so.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.nap.edu/read/19012/chapter/4|title=Read "Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness" at NAP.edu|last=|first=|publisher=National Academies of Medicine|year=2015|isbn=|editor-link=|location=|pages=32|language=en|chapter=|quote=|editor-last2=|editor-link2=}}</ref><ref>[http://www.25megroup.org/home.html The 25% M.E. Group Website Support Group for Severe M.E. Sufferers]</ref>
Twenty-five percent of ME/CFS patients have a very [[Severe and very severe ME|severe form]] of it.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://raisingawarenessforcfs.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/raising-awareness-for-cfsmecfids/ | title = Raising Awareness | last = Fatima | date = 2011-01-31 | website = Raising Awareness for ME/CFS|language=en|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://mecfsdocumentary.com/sample-page/ | title = About ME/CFS {{!}} Forgotten Plague|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> This 25% of patients are [[Severe and very severe ME|severely ill]] and are either bed-bound, wheelchair bound, or are housebound or nearly so.<ref name="SEID-IOM2015" />{{Rp|32}}


ME/CFS is [[Female predominant diseases|more prevalent in women]] than men, can affect [[Pediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome|children]] or adults but is most common in adults between the ages of 30 to 50 years old,<ref name="ICP2011primer" /> or ages 40-60 in the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/epidemiology.html|title=Epidemiology {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) {{!}} CDC|date=2018-11-08|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> In 72% of causes reported by ME/CFS patients, the [[Onset of ME/CFS|onset]] follows an acute [[infection]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2016/20160216-presentation-chronic-fatigue-H.pdf|title=CDC Public Health Grand Rounds - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Advancing Research and Clinical Education|last=|first=|authorlink=|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=|website=cdc.gov|page=6|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> for example a [[virus]] or [[bacterial infection]].<ref name="ICP2011primer">{{citation
ME/CFS is [[Female predominant diseases|more prevalent in women]] than men, can affect [[Pediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome|children]] or adults but is most common in adults between the ages of 30 to 50 years old,<ref name="ICP2011primer" /> or ages 40-60 in the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/epidemiology.html | title = Epidemiology {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | date = 2018-11-08 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-23}}</ref> In 72% of causes reported by ME/CFS patients, the [[Onset of ME/CFS|onset]] follows an acute [[infection]],<ref name="CDC2016" /> for example a [[virus]] or [[bacterial infection]].<ref name="ICP2011primer">{{citation | last = Carruthers | first1 = BM | authorlink = Bruce Carruthers | last2 = van de Sande | first2 = MI | authorlink2 = Marjorie van de Sande | last3 = De Meirleir | first3 = KL | authorlink3 = Kenny de Meirleir | last4 = Klimas | first4 = NG | authorlink4 = Nancy Klimas | last5 = Broderick | first5 = G | authorlink5 = Gordon Broderick | last6 = Mitchell | first6 = T | author-link6 = Terry Mitchell | last7 = Staines | first7 = D | author-link8 = A C Peter Powles | last8 = Powles | first8 = ACP | last9 = Speight | first9 = N | author-link9 = Nigel Speight | last10 = Vallings | first10 = R | author-link10 = Rosamund Vallings | last11 = Bateman | first11 = L | author-link11 = Lucinda Bateman | last12 = Bell | first12 = DS | author-link12 = David Bell | last13 = Carlo-Stella | first13 = N | author-link13 = Nicoletta Carlo-Stella | last14 = Chia | first14 = J | author-link14 = John Chia | last15 = Darragh | first15 = A | author-link15 = Austin Darragh | last16 = Gerken | first16 = A | author-link16 = Anne Gerken | last17 = Jo | first17 = D | author-link17 = Daehyun Jo | last18 = Lewis | first18 = DP | author-link18 = Donald Lewis | last19 = Light | first19 = AR | author-link19 = Alan Light | last20 = Light | first20 = KC | authorlink20 = Kathleen Light | last21 = Marshall-Gradisnik | first21 = S | authorlink21 = Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik | last22 = McLaren-Howard | first22 = J | authorlink22 = John McLaren-Howard | last23 = Mena | first23 = I | authorlink23 = Ismael Mena | last24 = Miwa | first24 = K | authorlink24 = Kunihisa Miwa | last25 = Murovska | first25 = M | authorlink25= Modra Murovska | last26 = Stevens | first26 = SR | authorlink26 = Staci Stevens | title = Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners | date = 2012
| last1 = Carruthers | first1 = BM | authorlink1 = Bruce Carruthers
| isbn = 978-0-9739335-3-6 | url = http://www.investinme.org/Documents/Guidelines/Myalgic%20Encephalomyelitis%20International%20Consensus%20Primer%20-2012-11-26.pdf }}</ref>
| last2 = van de Sande | first2 = MI | authorlink2 = Marjorie van de Sande
| last3 = De Meirleir | first3 = KL | authorlink3 = Kenny de Meirleir
| last4 = Klimas | first4 = NG | authorlink4 = Nancy Klimas
| last5 = Broderick | first5 = G | authorlink5 = Gordon Broderick
| last6 = Mitchell | first6 = T | authorlink6 = Terry Mitchell
| last7 = Staines | first7 = D | authorlink7 = Donald Staines
| last8 = Powles | first8 = ACP | authorlink8 = A C Peter Powles
| last9 = Speight | first9 = N | authorlink9 = Nigel Speight
| last10 = Vallings | first10= R | authorlink10= Rosamund Vallings
| last11 = Bateman | first11= L | authorlink11= Lucinda Bateman
| last12 = Bell | first12= DS | authorlink12= David Bell
| last13 = Carlo-Stella | first13= N | authorlink13= Nicoletta Carlo-Stella
| last14 = Chia | first14= J | authorlink14= John Chia
| last15 = Darragh | first15= A | authorlink15= Austin Darragh
| last16 = Gerken | first16= A | authorlink16= Anne Gerken
| last17 = Jo | first17= D | authorlink17= Daehyun Jo
| last18 = Lewis | first18= DP | authorlink18= Donald Lewis
| last19 = Light | first19= AR | authorlink19= Alan Light
| last20 = Light | first20= KC | authorlink20= Kathleen Light
| last21 = Marshall-Gradisnik | first21= S | authorlink21= Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
| last22 = McLaren-Howard | first22= J | authorlink22= John McLaren-Howard
| last23 = Mena | first23= I | authorlink23= Ismael Mena
| last24 = Miwa | first24= K | authorlink24= Kunihisa Miwa
| last25 = Murovska | first25= M | authorlink25= Modra Murovska
| last26 = Stevens | first26= SR | authorlink26= Staci Stevens
| title = Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners  
| date = 2012
| isbn = 978-0-9739335-3-6
| url = http://www.investinme.org/Documents/Guidelines/Myalgic%20Encephalomyelitis%20International%20Consensus%20Primer%20-2012-11-26.pdf
}}</ref>


==Incidence and Prevalence==
==Incidence and Prevalence==


The prevalence rate is projected at 0.2%<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" />-0.4%<ref name="Jason, 1999" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mecfsresearchreview.me/2018/06/11/analysis-of-data-from-500000-individuals-in-uk-biobank-demonstrates-an-inherited-component-to-me-cfs/|title=Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS|date=2018-06-11|work=ME/CFS Research Review|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref> although estimates vary widely due to different definitions and sampling methods used.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Johnston|first=Samantha|last2=Brenu|first2=Ekua W.|last3=Staines|first3=Donald|last4=Marshall-Gradisnik|first4=Sonya|date=2013|title=The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis: a meta-analysis|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576883|journal=Clinical Epidemiology|volume=5|pages=105–110|doi=10.2147/CLEP.S39876|issn=1179-1349|pmc=3616604|pmid=23576883}}</ref>  
The prevalence rate is projected at 0.2%<ref name="Nacul2011" /><ref name="Reyes2003" />-0.4%<ref name="Jason, 1999" /><ref>{{Cite news |url =https://mecfsresearchreview.me/2018/06/11/analysis-of-data-from-500000-individuals-in-uk-biobank-demonstrates-an-inherited-component-to-me-cfs/ | title = Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS | date = 2018-06-11|work=ME/CFS Research Review|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref> although estimates vary widely due to different definitions and sampling methods used.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Johnston | first = Samantha | authorlink = Samantha Johnston | last2 = Brenu | first2 = Ekua W. | authorlink2=Ekua Brenu | last3 = Staines | first3 = Donald | authorlink3 = Donald Staines | last4 = Marshall-Gradisnik | first4 = Sonya | authorlink4 = Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik| date = 2013 | title = The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis: a meta-analysis |url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23576883|journal=Clinical Epidemiology|volume=5 | pages = 105–110|doi=10.2147/CLEP.S39876|issn=1179-1349|pmc=3616604|pmid=23576883}}</ref>  


Estimated incidence rates – generally, the number of new cases in a single year – vary from 0.025%<ref name="bakken2014" /> to 0.3% of the population.   
Estimated incidence rates – generally, the number of new cases in a single year – vary from 0.025%<ref name="bakken2014" /> to 0.3% of the population.   
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|-
|-
|United Kingdom
|United Kingdom
|0.015%<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Nacul|first=LC|date=July 2011|title=Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21794183|journal=BMC Medicine|volume=9|pages=91|via=}}</ref>
|0.015%<ref name="Nacul2011">{{Cite journal | last = Nacul | first = LC | date = July 2011 | title = Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21794183|journal=BMC Medicine|volume=9 | pages = 91|via=}}</ref>
|0.03-0.19%<ref name=":0" />  
|0.03-0.19%<ref name="Nacul2011" />  
|250,000<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Working Group on CFS/ME|first=Department of Health|date=2003-01-11|title=Annex 1: Epidemiology of CFS/ME|url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120106043826/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/Browsable/DH_4879305}}</ref>
|250,000<ref>{{Cite web | last = Working Group on CFS/ME | first = Department of Health | date = 2003-01-11 | title = Annex 1: Epidemiology of CFS/ME| url = https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120106043826/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/Browsable/DH_4879305}}</ref>
|-
|-
|United States
|United States
|
|
|
|
|836,000 to 2.5 million<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":6" />
|836,000 to 2.5 million<ref name="SEID-IOM2015" /><ref name="Key" />
|-
|-
|The Netherlands
|The Netherlands
|
|
|0.11%<ref>Bazelmans E, Vercoulen J.H.M.M, Galama J.M.D, Van Weel, C, Van Der Meer J.W.M, Bleijenberg G. (1997). [https://www.ntvg.nl/system/files/publications/1997115200001a.pdf Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom en het primaire-fibromyalgiesyndroom in Nederland.] Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141: 1520-1523. </ref><ref>Versluis R.G.J.A, De Waal M.W.M, Opmeer C, Petri H, Springer M.P. (1997). [https://www.ntvg.nl/system/files/publications/1997115230001a.pdf Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom in 4 huisartspraktijken in de regio Leiden.] Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141(31): 1523-26. </ref>
|0.11%<ref>Bazelmans E, Vercoulen J.H.M.M, Galama J.M.D, Van Weel, C, Van Der Meer J.W.M, Bleijenberg G. (1997). [https://www.ntvg.nl/system/files/publications/1997115200001a.pdf Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom en het primaire-fibromyalgiesyndroom in Nederland.] Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141: 1520-1523. </ref><ref>Versluis R.G.J.A, De Waal M.W.M, Opmeer C, Petri H, Springer M.P. (1997). [https://www.ntvg.nl/system/files/publications/1997115230001a.pdf Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom in 4 huisartspraktijken in de regio Leiden.] Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141(31): 1523-26. </ref>
|30.000-40.000<ref>[https://www.gezondheidsraad.nl/sites/default/files/grpublication/kernadvies_me_cvs_1.pdf Gezondheidsraad. ME/CVS. Den Haag: Gezondheidsraad, 2018; publicatienr. 2018/07.]</ref>
|30.000-40.000<ref>Health Council of the Netherlands. ME/CFS. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands, 2018; publication no. 2018/07.</ref>
|}
|}


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!Prevalence rate
!Prevalence rate
|-
|-
|[[Postviral fatigue syndrome]] (ICD-10-CM G93.3 in a national health registry in Norway)
|[[Postviral fatigue syndrome]] ([[ICD-10-CM]] G93.3 in a national health registry in Norway)
|0.025%<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Magnus|first=P|date=November 17, 2015|title=Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is associated with pandemic influenza infection, but not with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26475444|journal=Vaccine|volume=33|pages=6173-7|via=}}</ref> (NO)
|0.025%<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Magnus | first = P | date = November 17, 2015 | title = Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is associated with pandemic influenza infection, but not with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26475444|journal=Vaccine|volume=33 | pages = 6173-7|via=}}</ref> (NO)
|–
|–
|-
|-
|[[Fukuda criteria|Fukuda Criteria (CDC-1994 definition]])
|[[Fukuda criteria|Fukuda Criteria (CDC-1994 definition]])
|
|
|0.19%<ref name=":0" /> (UK), 0.24%<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last=Reyes|first=Michele|date=July 14, 2003|title=Prevalence and Incidence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Wichita, Kansas|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12860574|journal=JAMA Internal Medicine|volume=163|pages=1530-1536|via=}}</ref> (US. Kansas), 0.42%<ref name="Jason, 1999" /> (US, Chicago),  
|0.19%<ref name="Nacul2011" /> (UK), 0.24%<ref name="Reyes2003">{{Cite journal | last = Reyes | first = Michele | date = July 14, 2003 | title = Prevalence and Incidence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Wichita, Kansas |url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12860574|journal=JAMA Internal Medicine|volume=163 | pages = 1530-1536|via=}}</ref> (US. Kansas), 0.42%<ref name="Jason, 1999" /> (US, Chicago),  
|-
|-
|[[Canadian Consensus Criteria]] (CCC)
|[[Canadian Consensus Criteria]] (CCC)
|
|
|0.11%<ref name=":0" /> (UK)
|0.11%<ref name="Nacul2011" /> (UK)
|-
|-
|Empirical definition ([[Reeves criteria]])
|Empirical definition ([[Reeves criteria]])
|
|
|2.54%<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Reeves|first=William C.|last2=Jones|first2=James F.|last3=Maloney|first3=Elizabeth|last4=Heim|first4=Christine|last5=Hoaglin|first5=David C.|last6=Boneva|first6=Roumiana S.|last7=Morrissey|first7=Marjorie|last8=Devlin|first8=Rebecca|date=2007-06-08|title=Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in metropolitan, urban, and rural Georgia|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17559660|journal=Population Health Metrics|volume=5|pages=5|doi=10.1186/1478-7954-5-5|issn=1478-7954|pmc=1904178|pmid=17559660}}</ref>
|2.54%<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Reeves | first = William C. | last2 = Jones | first2 = James F. | last3 = Maloney | first3 = Elizabeth | last4 = Heim | first4 = Christine | last5 = Hoaglin | first5 = David C. | last6 = Boneva | first6 = Roumiana S. | last7 = Morrissey | first7 = Marjorie | last8 = Devlin | first8 = Rebecca | date = 2007-06-08 | title = Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in metropolitan, urban, and rural Georgia| url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17559660|journal=Population Health Metrics|volume=5 | pages = 5|doi=10.1186/1478-7954-5-5|issn=1478-7954|pmc=1904178|pmid=17559660}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Epidemiological Case Definition]] (ECD)
|[[Epidemiological Case Definition]] (ECD)
|0.015%<ref name=":0" /> (UK)
|0.015%<ref name="Nacul2011" /> (UK)
|0.03%<ref name=":0" /> (UK)
|0.03%<ref name="Nacul2011" /> (UK)
|-
|-
|Diagnoses reported by general practitioners and pediatricians in the Netherlands (criteria unspecified)
|Diagnoses reported by general practitioners and pediatricians in the Netherlands (criteria unspecified)
|0.012%<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Nijhof|first=Sanne|author-link =Sanne Nijhof|date=April 2011|title=Adolescent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Prevalence, Incidence, and Morbidity|url=http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/04/18/peds.2010-1147|journal=Pediatrics|volume=|pages=|via=}}</ref> (NL, 10-18 year olds)
|0.012%<ref name="Nijhof2011">{{Cite journal | last = Nijhof | first = Sanne | authorlink = Sanne Nijhof | date = April 2011 | title = Adolescent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Prevalence, Incidence, and Morbidity| url = http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/04/18/peds.2010-1147|journal=Pediatrics|volume= | pages = |via=}}</ref> (NL, 10-18 year olds)
|0.11%<ref name=":1" /> (NL, 10-18 year olds)
|0.11%<ref name="Nijhof2011" /> (NL, 10-18 year olds)
|}
|}


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[[File:Age and Gender distribution.png|thumb|Age and gender distribution of ME/CFS.<ref name="bakken2014" />]]
[[File:Age and Gender distribution.png|thumb|Age and gender distribution of ME/CFS.<ref name="bakken2014" />]]
Numerous studies have found the rates of ME/CFS to be substantially higher in adult women than in men, with estimates ranging from 75-85%.<ref name="Jason, 1999" /><ref name="bakken2014" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Ciba Foundation Symposium 173 ‐ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|last=Gunn|first=Walter|publisher=|year=1993|isbn=|location=|pages=|chapter=Epidemiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Centers for Disease Control Study}}</ref>
Numerous studies have found the rates of ME/CFS to be substantially higher in adult women than in men, with estimates ranging from 75-85%.<ref name="Jason, 1999" /><ref name="bakken2014" /><ref name="Gunn1993">{{Cite book | title = Ciba Foundation Symposium 173 ‐ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | last = Gunn | first = Walter| publisher = | year = 1993|isbn=|location= | pages = |chapter=Epidemiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Centers for Disease Control Study}}</ref>


A higher preponderance of women has also been noted in numerous [[outbreaks]] including [[1934 Los Angeles atypical polio outbreak|Los Angeles]], [[Akureyri]], [[1953 Maryland outbreak|Rockville, MD]], [[1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak|Royal Free Hospital]], and [[1956 Punta Gorda outbreak|Punta Gorda, Florida]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite journal|last=Parish|first=JG|date=1978|title=Early outbreaks of 'epidemic neuromyasthenia'|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/370810|journal=Postgraduate Medical Journal|volume=54|pages=711-7|via=}}</ref><ref name="Shelokov, 1957">{{Cite journal  
A higher preponderance of women has also been noted in numerous [[List of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome outbreaks|outbreaks]] including [[1934 Los Angeles atypical polio outbreak|Los Angeles]], [[Akureyri]], [[1953 Maryland outbreak|Rockville, MD]], [[1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak|Royal Free Hospital]], and [[1956 Punta Gorda outbreak|Punta Gorda, Florida]].<ref name="Parish1978">{{Cite journal | last = Parish | first = JG | date = 1978 | title = Early outbreaks of 'epidemic neuromyasthenia'| url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/370810|journal=Postgraduate Medical Journal|volume=54 | pages = 711-7|via= | author-link = Gordon Parish|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="Shelokov, 1957">{{Cite journal | last = Shelokov | first1 = Alexis | author-link1 = Alexis Shelokov | last2 = Habel | first2 = Karl | authorlink2 = Karl Habel | last3 = Verder | first3 = Elizabeth | authorlink3 = Elizabeth Verder | last4 = Welsh | first4 = William | authorlink4 = William Welsh | title = Epidemic Neuromyasthenia — An Outbreak of Poliomyelitis-like Illness in Student Nurses | journal =New England Journal of Medicine | volume = | issue = 257 | page = 345-355 | date = August 1957 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM195708222570801 }}</ref><ref name="Gilliam, 1936-38">{{Cite journal | last = Gilliam | first1 = A.G. | authorlink = Alexander Gilliam | title = Epidemiological Study Of An Epidemic, Diagnosed As Poliomyelitis, Occurring Among The Personnel Of The Los Angeles County General Hospital During The Summer Of 1934 | journal =Public health bulletin, 1936-1938 | volume = | issue = | page = 231-240 | date = 1938 | pmid = | url = http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015022082260;view=1up;seq=617
| last1  = Shelokov       | first1 = Alexis   | authorlink1 = Alexis Shelokov
|doi= | pages = | pmc = | quote = |access-date=|via=}}</ref><ref name="Acheson, 1959">{{Cite journal | last = Acheson | first1 = E.D. | authorlink =Donald Acheson  | title = The Clinical Syndrome Variously Called Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Iceland Disease and Epidemic Neuromyasthenia | journal =American Journal of Medicine | volume = 26 | issue = 4 | page = 569–595 | date = 1959 | pmid = | url = http://www.name-us.org/defintionspages/DefinitionsArticles/Acheson1959.pdf | pages=|chapter=|edition=|isbn=}}</ref><ref name="Poskanzer, 1957">{{Cite journal | last = Poskanzer | first1 = David C. | author-link1 = David Pskanzer | last2 = Henderson | first2 = Donald A. | authorlink2 = Donald Henderson | last3 = Kunkle | first3 = E. Charles | authorlink3 = | last4 = Kalter | first4 = Seymour S. | authorlink4 = | last5 = Clement | first5 = Walter B. | authorlink5 = | last6 = Bond | first6 = James O. | author-link6 = | title = Epidemic Neuromyasthenia — An Outbreak in Punta Gorda, Florida | journal =New England Journal of Medicine | volume = | issue = 257 | page = 356-364 | date = 1957 | pmid = 13464939 | doi = 10.1056/NEJM195708222570802| url = http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM195708222570802 }}</ref><ref name="PMC1962472">{{Cite journal | date = 1957-10-19 | title = An Outbreak of Encephalomyelitis in the Royal Free Hospital Group, London, in 1955| url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1962472/|journal=British Medical Journal|volume=2|issue=5050 | pages = 895–904|issn=0007-1447|pmc=1962472|pmid=13472002}}</ref><ref name="Sigurdsson1950">{{Cite journal| url = https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14771044 | title = A disease epidemic in Iceland simulating poliomyelitis | last = Sigurdsson | first = B | authorlink = Björn Sigurdsson | date = September 1950|journal=American Journal of Hygiene|volume=52 | pages = 222-38|via=}}</ref> In some cases, this was thought to do with the occupational hazard of nursing, but this female-skewed sex ratio was also found in several outbreaks among the general population. However, in other outbreaks, including the 1949-1953 [[1949-53 Adelaide outbreak|Adelaide]] outbreak and an outbreak in [[1955 North of England outbreak|northern England in 1955]], a 1:1 gender ratio was reported.<ref name="Parish1978" /> In [[1948-49 Akureyri outbreak|Akureyri]], a significantly higher incidence rate was found among adult women but not in patients under twenty.<ref name="Sigurdsson1950" />
| last2   = Habel         | first2 = Karl     | authorlink2 = Karl Habel
| last3   = Verder         | first3 = Elizabeth | authorlink3 = Elizabeth Verder
| last4   = Welsh         | first4 = William       | authorlink4 = William Welsh
| title   = Epidemic Neuromyasthenia — An Outbreak of Poliomyelitis-like Illness in Student Nurses
| journal = New England Journal of Medicine   | volume = 1957  | issue = 257   | page = 345-355
| date   = August 1957
| doi     = 10.1056/NEJM195708222570801
}}</ref><ref name="Gilliam, 1936-38">{{Cite journal  
| last1  = Gilliam           | first1 = A.G.               | authorlink1 =  
| title   = Epidemiological Study Of An Epidemic, Diagnosed As Poliomyelitis, Occurring Among The Personnel Of The Los Angeles County General Hospital During The Summer Of 1934
| journal = Public health bulletin, 1936-1938 | volume = no.231-240  | issue =   | page =  
| date   = 1938
| pmid   =  
| url     = http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015022082260;view=1up;seq=617
}}</ref><ref name="Acheson, 1959">{{Citation
| last1  = Acheson                 | first1 = E.D.                   | authorlink1 =  
| title   = The Clinical Syndrome Variously Called Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Iceland Disease and Epidemic Neuromyasthenia  
| journal = American Journal of Medicine   | volume = 26   | issue = 4   | page = 569–595
| date   = 1959
| pmid   =  
| url     = http://www.name-us.org/defintionspages/DefinitionsArticles/Acheson1959.pdf
}}</ref><ref name="Poskanzer, 1957">{{Cite journal  
| last1  = Poskanzer         | first1 = David C.       | authorlink1 = David Pskanzer
| last2   = Henderson         | first2 = Donald A.                   | authorlink2 = Donald Henderson  
| last3   = Kunkle           | first3 = E. Charles                   | authorlink3 =  
| last4   = Kalter           | first4 = Seymour S.                   | authorlink4 =  
| last5   = Clement           | first5 = Walter B.                   | authorlink5 =  
| last6   = Bond             | first6 = James O.                   | authorlink6 =  
| title   = Epidemic Neuromyasthenia — An Outbreak in Punta Gorda, Florida
| journal = New England Journal of Medicine   | volume = 1957  | issue = 257   | page = 356-364
| date   = 1957
| pmid   = 13464939
| doi     = 10.1056/NEJM195708222570802
| url     = http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM195708222570802
}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|date=1957-10-19|title=An Outbreak of Encephalomyelitis in the Royal Free Hospital Group, London, in 1955|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1962472/|journal=British Medical Journal|volume=2|issue=5050|pages=895–904|issn=0007-1447|pmc=1962472|pmid=13472002}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14771044|title=A disease epidemic in Iceland simulating poliomyelitis|last=Sigurdsson|first=B|author-link =Björn Sigurdsson|date=September 1950|journal=American Journal of Hygiene|volume=52|pages=222-38|via=}}</ref> In some cases, this was thought to do with the occupational hazard of nursing, but this female-skewed sex ratio was also found in several outbreaks among the general population. However, in other outbreaks, including the 1949-1953 [[1949-53 Adelaide outbreak|Adelaide]] outbreak and an outbreak in [[1955 North of England outbreak|northern England in 1955]], a 1:1 gender ratio was reported.<ref name=":02" /> In [[1948-49 Akureyri outbreak|Akureyri]], a significantly higher incidence rate was found among adult women but not in patients under twenty.<ref name=":4" />


== Age ==
== Age ==
New cases of ME/CFS have been in children as young as eight and adults in their eighties. In terms of ''incidence'', a study in [[Norway]] found two age peaks, one between 10 and 19 years and a second peak between 30 and 39 years.<ref name="bakken2014">{{Cite journal|last=Bakken|first=Inger Johanne|last2=Tveito|first2=Kari|author-link2=Kari Tveito|last3=Gunnes|first3=Nina|author-link3=Nina Gunnes|last4=Ghaderi|first4=Sara|author-link4=Sara Ghaderi|last5=Stoltenberg|first5=Camilla|author-link5=Camilla Stoltenberg|last6=Trogstad|first6=Lill|author-link6=Lill Trogstad|last7=Håberg|first7=Siri Eldevik|author-link7=Siri Håberg|last8=Magnus|first8=Per|author-link8=Per Magnus|date=2014-10-01|title=Two age peaks in the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a population-based registry study from Norway 2008-2012|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25274261|journal=BMC medicine|volume=12|pages=167|doi=10.1186/s12916-014-0167-5|issn=1741-7015|pmc=4189623|pmid=25274261|via=|author-link=Inger Johanne Bakken}}</ref> In terms of ''prevalence'', Jason found that individuals in the 40- to 49-year-old age range exhibited the highest prevalence rates of [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS).<ref name="Jason, 1999" />
New cases of ME/CFS have been in children as young as eight and adults in their eighties. In terms of ''incidence'', a study in [[Norway]] found two age peaks, one between 10 and 19 years and a second peak between 30 and 39 years.<ref name="bakken2014">{{Cite journal | last = Bakken | first = Inger Johanne | authorlink = Inger Johanne Bakken | last2 = Tveito | first2 = Kari | authorlink2 = Kari Tveito | last3 = Gunnes | first3 = Nina | authorlink3 = Nina Gunnes | last4 = Ghaderi | first4 = Sara | authorlink4 = Sara Ghaderi | last5 = Stoltenberg | first5 = Camilla | authorlink5 = Camilla Stoltenberg | last6 = Trogstad | first6 = Lill | author-link6 = Lill Trogstad | last7 = Håberg | first7 = Siri Eldevik | author-link8 = Per Magnus | last8 = Magnus | first8 = Per | date = 2014-10-01 | title = Two age peaks in the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a population-based registry study from Norway 2008-2012| url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25274261|journal=BMC medicine|volume=12 | pages = 167|doi=10.1186/s12916-014-0167-5|issn=1741-7015|pmc=4189623|pmid=25274261|via=}}</ref> In terms of ''prevalence'', Jason found that individuals in the 40- to 49-year-old age range exhibited the highest prevalence rates of [[chronic fatigue syndrome]] (CFS).<ref name="Jason, 1999" />


== Race and ethnicity ==
== Race and ethnicity ==
Line 156: Line 93:


== Socioeconomic characteristics ==
== Socioeconomic characteristics ==
The prevalence of CFS was highest among skilled workers and lowest among professionals.<ref name="Jason, 1999" />
The prevalence of CFS was highest among skilled workers and lowest among professionals.<ref name="Jason, 1999">{{Citation | last1 = Jason | first1 = LA | authorlink = Leonard Jason | last2 = Richman | first2 = JA | authorlink2 = | last3 = Rademaker | first3 = AW | authorlink3 = | last4 = Jordan | first4 = KM | authorlink4 = Karen Jordan | last5 = Plioplys | first5 = AV | authorlink5= | last6 = Taylor | first6 = RR | author-link6 = Renee Taylor | last7 = McCready | first7 = W | author-link7 = | last8 = Huang | first8 = C | last9 = Plioplys | first9 =S  | author-link9 =  | title = A Community-Based Study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome|journal=Arch Intern Med|volume=159|issue=18| page=2129-2137 | date = 1999 | pmid=|doi=10.1001/archinte.159.18.2129}}</ref>


== Severity ==
== Severity ==


[[File:HRQoL-journal.pone.0132421.g003.PNG|200px|thumb|right|Comparison of disability for ME/CFS and other conditions]]
[[File:HRQoL-journal.pone.0132421.g003.PNG|200px|thumb|right|Comparison of disability for ME/CFS and other conditions. Source: Hvidberg et al 2015. PLoSOne 10(7):e0132421.<ref name="Hvidberg2015" />]]


People with ME/CFS are more disabled and socially marginalized than for most other chronic illnesses.<ref>Falk Hvidberg et al, [http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132421 The Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)], ''PLOS One'', 5 Jul 2015.</ref>
People with ME/CFS are more disabled and socially marginalized than for most other chronic illnesses.<ref name="Hvidberg2015">{{citation | last = Hvidberg | first1 = Michael Falk | author-link1 = Michael Falk Hvidberg | last2 = Brinth | first2 = Louise Schouborg | authorlink2 = Louise Schouborg Brinth | last3 = Olesen | first3 = Anne V | authorlink3 = Anne V Oleson | last4 = Petersen | first4 = Karin D | authorlink4 = Karin Peterson | last5 = Ehlers | first5 = Lars | authorlink5 = Lars Ehlers | title = The Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) | journal =PLoS One|volume =10 |issue =7 | page=e0132421 | date = Jul 6, 2015 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0132421 | url = http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0132421 }}</ref>


Around 25 percent of people with ME/CFS will have a mild form and be able to get to school or work either part-time or full-time, while reducing other activities. About 50 percent will have a moderate to severe form of ME/CFS and not be able to get to school or work. Another 25 percent will experience [[Severe and very severe ME|severe ME/CFS]] and have to stay at home or in bed.{{Citation needed}}
Around 25 percent of people with ME/CFS will have a mild form and are able to go to school or work either part-time or full-time, while reducing other activities. About 50 percent will have a moderate to severe form of ME/CFS and are unlikely to able to study or work. Another 25 percent will experience [[Severe and very severe ME|severe ME/CFS]] and have to stay at home or in bed.<ref name="SEID-IOM2015" />


In the US, 50-75% of patients with [[ME/CFS]] cannot work.{{Citation needed}}
According to the CDC, up to the 75% of [[US|United States]] patients with [[ME/CFS]] are too ill to work,<ref name="CDC2016">{{Citation | last = Lapp | first = C | authorlink = Charles Lapp | last2 = Unger | first2 = ER | authorlink2 = Elizabeth Unger | last3 = Komaroff | first3 = AL | authorlink3 = Anthony Komaroff | last4 = Nath | first4 = A . | authorlink4 = Avindra Nath | title = CDC public health grand rounds. Chronic fatigue syndrome: advancing research and clinical education|website=[[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] | date = Feb 2016|access-date=2020-04-03 | url = https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2016/20160216-presentation-chronic-fatigue-H.pdf}}</ref> with rates of between 50 and 75% [[disability|too ill to work worldwide]].<ref name="Vink2019">{{Cite journal | last = Vink | last2 = Vink-Niese | date = 2019-09-20 | title = Work Rehabilitation and Medical Retirement for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients. A Review and Appraisal of Diagnostic Strategies |url =https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/9/4/124/htm|journal=Diagnostics|language=en|volume=9|issue=4 | pages = 124|doi=10.3390/diagnostics9040124|issn=2075-4418 | first = Mark | first2 = Alexandra|pmc=|pmid=|quote= | author-link = Mark Vink | authorlink2 = Alexandra Vink-Niese|access-date=|via=}}</ref>
A study in France by Ghali et al 2020 looked at factors associated with increased severity of [[post-exertional malaise]] (PEM), the hallmark symptom, and found that onset at age 32 or later, a gastrointestinal illness triggering ME/CFS and recurrent infections during the illness all increased risk of having more severe PEM.<ref name="Ghali2020">{{Cite journal | last = Ghali | first = Alaa  | author-link = Alaa Ghali | last2 = Richa | first2 = Paul | authorlink2 = | last3 = Lacout | first3 = Carole | authorlink3 = | last4 = Gury | first4 = Aline | authorlink4 = | last5 = Beucher | first5 = Anne-Berengere | authorlink5 = | last6 = Homedan | first6 = Chadi | author-link6 = | last7 = Lavigne | first7 = Christian | last8 = Urbanski | first8 = Geoffrey | date = 2020-06-22 | title = Epidemiological and clinical factors associated with post-exertional malaise severity in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7309998/|journal=Journal of Translational Medicine|volume=18|issue= | pages = |doi=10.1186/s12967-020-02419-4|issn=1479-5876|pmc=7309998|pmid=32571354|access-date=|quote=|via= | author-link8 = Geoffrey Urbanski}}</ref>


== <span id="riskfactors">Risk factors </span>==
== <span id="riskfactors">Risk factors </span>==
Line 172: Line 110:
=== Genetics ===
=== Genetics ===


{{Main article|page_name =Genetics of chronic fatigue syndrome}}
{{Main article| page_name = Genetics of chronic fatigue syndrome}}


Five percent of children of mothers with ME/CFS later developed the illness.<ref>http://www.njcfsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Pregnancy-in-Women-with-ME-CFS.pdf</ref>
Five percent of children of mothers with ME/CFS later developed the illness.<ref name="Underhill2010">{{Cite web | url=http://www.njcfsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Pregnancy-in-Women-with-ME-CFS.pdf | title=Pregnancy in Women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) | last = Underhill | first = Rosemary | authorlink = Rosemary Underhill | date = 2009 | website = New Jersey Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Association, Inc.|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=4 February 2020}}</ref>


=== Infection ===
=== Infection ===
[[Infection]]s are a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/etiology-pathophysiology.html|title=Etiology and Pathophysiology {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) {{!}} CDC|date=2018-11-08|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref>  
[[Infection]]s are a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS.<ref name="CDC-Etiology">{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/etiology-pathophysiology.html | title = Etiology and Pathophysiology {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | date = 2018-11-08 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> The vast majority of people diagnosed with ME/CFS report that their illness began after a virus or other infection, especially [[Epstein-Barr virus]], [[Ross River virus]] and [[Q fever]].<ref name="CDC-causes-2018" /><ref name="Chu2019">{{Cite journal | last = Chu | first = Lily  | author-link = Lily Chu | last2 = Valencia | first2 = Ian J. | authorlink2 = Ian Valencia | last3 = Garvert | first3 = Donn W. | author-link3 = Donn Garvert | last4 = Montoya | first4 = Jose G. | author-link4 = Jose Montoya | date = Feb 5, 2019 | title = Onset Patterns and Course of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | url =https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2019.00012/abstract|journal=Frontiers in Pediatrics|volume=7|issue=12 | pages = |doi=10.3389/fped.2019.00012|quote=|via=}}</ref> One study found recurrent infections since the onset of ME/CFS increased the risk of more severe post-exertional malaise.<ref name="Ghali2020" />


=== Physical or emotional trauma ===
=== Bodily response to physical or emotional stress ===
An accident, physical [[trauma]], immobilization, surgery, or significant emotional stress have been reported by some patients prior to onset of symptoms.<ref name=":8" />
An accident, physical [[trauma]], [[Guide for patients having surgery|anesthetics]], or significant emotional [[stress]] have been reported by some patients prior to onset of symptoms.<ref name="CDC-Etiology" /> According to the CDC, this may cause a physical response by affecting body chemistry including the [[HPA axis]], levels of [[CRH|corticotrophin-releasing hormone]] (CRH), the stress hormone [[cortisol]] and others.<ref name="CDC-causes-2018">{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/about/possible-causes.html | title = Possible Causes {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) {{!}} CDC | last = Centers for Disease Control | first = | authorlink = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date = 2019-05-15 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-05-24}}</ref>


=== Environmental factors ===
=== Environmental factors ===
[[Mold]] or toxin exposure is an expected trigger although specific environmental factors with ME/CFS have not been established.<ref name=":8" />
[[Mold]] or toxin exposure is an expected trigger although specific environmental factors with ME/CFS have not been established.<ref name="CDC-Etiology" /><ref name="ICP2011primer" />{{Rp|1-2}}


== Prognosis ==
== Prognosis ==


The [[Prognosis for myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome|prognosis]] for ME/CFS is considered to be poor with only a minority (a median estimate of 5%) returning to pre-morbid levels of functioning.<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal|last=Cairns|first=R.|last2=Hotopf|first2=M.|date=Jan 2005|title=A systematic review describing the prognosis of chronic fatigue syndrome|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15699087|journal=Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)|volume=55|issue=1|pages=20–31|doi=10.1093/occmed/kqi013|issn=0962-7480|pmid=15699087}}</ref> The majority of patients remains significantly impaired. A substantial improvement however is noted in an estimated 40% of patients<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Joyce|first=J.|last2=Hotopf|first2=M.|last3=Wessely|first3=S.|date=Mar 1997|title=The prognosis of chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9093600|journal=QJM: monthly journal of the Association of Physicians|volume=90|issue=3|pages=223–233|issn=1460-2725|pmid=9093600}}</ref> and the prognosis in adolescents is considered to be better than in adults.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/prognosis.html|title=Prognosis  {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) {{!}} CDC|date=2018-07-10|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rowe|first=Peter C.|last2=Underhill|first2=Rosemary A.|last3=Friedman|first3=Kenneth J.|last4=Gurwitt|first4=Alan|last5=Medow|first5=Marvin S.|last6=Schwartz|first6=Malcolm S.|last7=Speight|first7=Nigel|last8=Stewart|first8=Julian M.|last9=Vallings|first9=Rosamund|date=2017|title=Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer|url=https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2017.00121/full|journal=Frontiers in Pediatrics|language=English|volume=5|doi=10.3389/fped.2017.00121|issn=2296-2360}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/keithgeraghty/status/1052054136412430336|title=Dr Keith Geraghty on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en}}</ref>
The [[Prognosis for myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome|prognosis]] for ME/CFS is considered to be poor with only a minority (a median estimate of 5%) returning to pre-morbid levels of functioning.<ref name="Cairns2005">{{Cite journal | last = Cairns | first = R. | last2 = Hotopf | first2 = M. | date = Jan 2005 | title = A systematic review describing the prognosis of chronic fatigue syndrome | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15699087|journal=Occupational Medicine (Oxford, England)|volume=55|issue=1 | pages = 20–31|doi=10.1093/occmed/kqi013|issn=0962-7480|pmid=15699087}}</ref> The majority of patients remains significantly impaired. A substantial improvement however is noted in an estimated 40% of patients<ref name="Cairns2005" /><ref>{{Cite journal | last = Joyce | first = J. | last2 = Hotopf | first2 = M. | last3 = Wessely | first3 = S. | date = Mar 1997 | title = The prognosis of chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9093600|journal=QJM: monthly journal of the Association of Physicians|volume=90|issue=3 | pages = 223–233|issn=1460-2725|pmid=9093600}}</ref> and the prognosis in adolescents is considered to be better than in adults.<ref name="CDC-prognosis">{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/prognosis.html | title = Prognosis  {{!}} Presentation and Clinical Course {{!}} Healthcare Providers {{!}} Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | date = 2018-07-10 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref><ref name="Rowe2017">{{Cite journal | last = Rowe | first = Peter C. | authorlink = Peter Rowe | last2 = Underhill | first2 = Rosemary A. | authorlink2 = Rosemary Underhill | last3 = Friedman | first3 = Kenneth J. | author-link3 = Kenneth Friedman | last4 = Gurwitt | first4 = Alan | authorlink4 = Alan Gurwitt | first5 = Marvin S. | last5 = Medow | authorlink5 = Marvin Medow | last6 = Schwartz | first6 = Malcolm S. | author-link6 = Malcolm Schwartz | last7 = Speight | first7 = Nigel | author-link8 = Julian Stewart | last8 = Stewart | first8 = Julian M. | last9 = Vallings | first9 = Rosamund | author-link9 = Rosamund Vallings | last10 = Rowe | first10 = Katherine | author-link10 = Katherine Rowe | date = 2017 | title=Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis and Management in Young People: A Primer |url =https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2017.00121/full|journal=Frontiers in Pediatrics|language=English|volume=5 | pages = 121|doi=10.3389/fped.2017.00121|issn=2296-2360|quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url =https://twitter.com/keithgeraghty/status/1052054136412430336 | title = Dr Keith Geraghty on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-28|language=en}}</ref>


==Mortality==
==Mortality==


One study found no increased risk of all cause mortality or mortality from [[cancer]] but an increased risk of suicide. Suicide risk was increased 6.85 compared to the general population.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Roberts|first=Emmert|last2=Wessely|first2=Simon|last3=Chalder|first3=Trudie|last4=Chang|first4=Chin-Kuo|last5=Hotopf|first5=Matthew|date=Apr 2016|title=Mortality of people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in England and Wales from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre (SLaM BRC) Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) Register|url=http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01223-4/abstract|journal=The Lancet|language=English|volume=387|issue=10028|pages=1638–1643|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01223-4|issn=0140-6736}}</ref> It was based on a cohort that used multiple clinical criteria, including the [[Oxford criteria]].<ref>[https://jcoynester.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/bad-stats-non-sequitur-conclusions-in-lancet-chronic-fatigue-syndromesuicide-study/ Interpretive jiggery-pokery in The Lancet A tale of a convenience sample with inconvenient serious limitations.] Quick Thoughts, a blog by James Coyne, February 16, 2016</ref> A [[Spain|Spanish]] study found a suicide risk of 12.75% versus 2.3% in the general population.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://afectadasporlosrecortessanitarios.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/risk-of-suicide-due-to-neglect-amongst-pwme/|title=RISK OF SUICIDE DUE TO NEGLECT AMONGST PWME|date=2016-05-11|work=Plataforma de Afectadas por los Recortes Sanitarios - La PARS|access-date=2018-08-10|language=}}</ref>
One study found no increased risk of all cause mortality or mortality from [[cancer]] but an increased risk of suicide. Suicide risk was increased 6.85 compared to the general population.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Roberts | first = Emmert | last2 = Wessely | first2 = Simon | last3 = Chalder | first3 = Trudie | last4 = Chang | first4 = Chin-Kuo | last5 = Hotopf | first5 = Matthew | date = Apr 2016 | title = Mortality of people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in England and Wales from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre (SLaM BRC) Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) Register |url =http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)01223-4/abstract|journal=The Lancet|language=English|volume=387|issue=10028 | pages = 1638–1643|doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01223-4|issn=0140-6736}}</ref> It was based on a cohort that used multiple clinical criteria, including the [[Oxford criteria]]<ref>[https://jcoynester.wordpress.com/2016/02/16/bad-stats-non-sequitur-conclusions-in-lancet-chronic-fatigue-syndromesuicide-study/ Interpretive jiggery-pokery in The Lancet A tale of a convenience sample with inconvenient serious limitations.] Quick Thoughts, a blog by James Coyne, February 16, 2016</ref> which was later recommended for retirement due to the likelihood of including patients without ME/CFS. A [[Spain|Spanish]] study found a suicide risk of 12.75% versus 2.3% in the general population.<ref>{{Cite news |url =https://afectadasporlosrecortessanitarios.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/risk-of-suicide-due-to-neglect-amongst-pwme/ | title = RISK OF SUICIDE DUE TO NEGLECT AMONGST PWME | date = 2016-05-11|work=Plataforma de Afectadas por los Recortes Sanitarios - La PARS|access-date=2018-08-10|language=}}</ref>


A 2006 study by [[Leonard Jason]] found that ME/CFS patients died of cancer, heart failure and [[suicide]] at considerable younger age than the general population. For example while the median age of death for cancer in the US was 72, the average age at which ME/CFS patients died of cancer was 47. And while the average age of heart failure in the general population was 83, it was only 58 in the ME/CFS sample.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Jason|first=Leonard A.|last2=Corradi|first2=Karina|last3=Gress|first3=Sara|last4=Williams|first4=Sarah|last5=Torres-Harding|first5=Susan|date=Aug 2006|title=Causes of death among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16844674|journal=Health Care for Women International|volume=27|issue=7|pages=615–626|doi=10.1080/07399330600803766|issn=0739-9332|pmid=16844674}}</ref>
A 2006 study by [[Leonard Jason]] found that ME/CFS patients died of cancer, heart failure and [[suicide]] at considerable younger age than the general population. For example while the median age of death for cancer in the US was 72, the average age at which ME/CFS patients died of cancer was 47. And while the average age of heart failure in the general population was 83, it was only 58 in the ME/CFS sample.<ref>{{Cite journal | last = Jason | first = Leonard A. | last2 = Corradi | first2 = Karina | last3 = Gress | first3 = Sara | last4 = Williams | first4 = Sarah | last5 = Torres-Harding | first5 = Susan | date = Aug 2006 | title = Causes of death among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome | url =https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16844674|journal=Health Care for Women International|volume=27|issue=7 | pages = 615–626|doi=10.1080/07399330600803766|issn=0739-9332|pmid=16844674}}</ref>
 
{{See also|Causes of death|Causes of death||||}}


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Onset of ME/CFS|Onset]]
*[[Onset of ME/CFS]]
*[[Pediatric]]
*[[Pediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome]]
*[[Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome|Prevalence]]
*[[Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome|Prevalence]]
*[[Prognosis]]
*[[Prognosis]]
*[[Sex differences in myalgic encephalomyelitis]]
*[[Sex differences in myalgic encephalomyelitis]]
*[[Causes of death]]
*[[Eightfold increase in ME/CFS incidence in the 1980s]]
== Learn more ==
== Learn more ==
*[https://www.nap.edu/resource/19012/MECFS_KeyFacts.pdf ME/CFS Key Facts (leaflet)] - CDC
*[https://www.cdc.gov/grand-rounds/pp/2016/20160216-presentation-chronic-fatigue-H.pdf CDC Public Health Grand Rounds - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Advancing Research and Clinical Education (presentation, 2016)]
*2019, [https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/9/4/124/htm Work Rehabilitation and Medical Retirement for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients. A Review and Appraisal of Diagnostic Strategies]
==References==
==References==
<references>
{{reflist}}
<ref name="Jason, 1999">{{Citation
| last1  = Jason            | first1 = LA                  | authorlink1 = Leonard Jason
| last2  = Richman          | first2 = JA                  | authorlink2 =
| last3  = Rademaker        | first3 = AW                  | authorlink3 =
| last4  = Jordan            | first4 = KM                  | authorlink4 = Karen Jordan
| last5  = Plioplys          | first5 = AV                  | authorlink5 =
| last6  = Taylor            | first6 = RR                  | authorlink6 = Renee Taylor
| last7  = McCready          | first7 = W                  | authorlink7 =
| last8  = Huang            | first8 = C                  | authorlink8 =
| last9  = Plioplys          | first9 = S                  | authorlink9 =
| title  = A Community-Based Study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
| journal = Arch Intern Med    | volume = 159  | issue = 18  | page = 2129-2137
| date    = 1999
| pmid    =
| doi    = 10.1001/archinte.159.18.2129
}}
</ref>
</references>
[[Category:Core topics]]
[[Category:Core topics]]
[[Category:Epidemiology]]
[[Category:Epidemiology]]

Latest revision as of 20:03, July 29, 2023

Epidemiology of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome:

Statistics on the prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome vary. The CDC estimates that one million people in the US have ME/CFS and as many as 17-24 million people worldwide have ME/CFS.[1] A recent UK biobank study places that estimate at 30 million.[2] In 2015, the Institute of Medicine Report estimated there were between 836,000 and 2.5 million ME/CFS patients in the United States.[3][4] 90% of patients are not diagnosed.[5][4]

Twenty-five percent of ME/CFS patients have a very severe form of it.[6][7] This 25% of patients are severely ill and are either bed-bound, wheelchair bound, or are housebound or nearly so.[3]:32

ME/CFS is more prevalent in women than men, can affect children or adults but is most common in adults between the ages of 30 to 50 years old,[8] or ages 40-60 in the United States.[9] In 72% of causes reported by ME/CFS patients, the onset follows an acute infection,[10] for example a virus or bacterial infection.[8]

Incidence and Prevalence[edit | edit source]

The prevalence rate is projected at 0.2%[11][12]-0.4%[13][14] although estimates vary widely due to different definitions and sampling methods used.[15]

Estimated incidence rates – generally, the number of new cases in a single year – vary from 0.025%[16] to 0.3% of the population.

Incidence and prevalence by country[edit | edit source]

Country Incidence Prevalence rate Total number
Australia 242,000 people have CFS (of which 94,000 meet a narrower definition for ME).[17]
United Kingdom 0.015%[11] 0.03-0.19%[11] 250,000[18]
United States 836,000 to 2.5 million[3][4]
The Netherlands 0.11%[19][20] 30.000-40.000[21]

Incidence and prevalence by definition[edit | edit source]

Method 12-month incidence Prevalence rate
Postviral fatigue syndrome (ICD-10-CM G93.3 in a national health registry in Norway) 0.025%[22] (NO)
Fukuda Criteria (CDC-1994 definition) 0.19%[11] (UK), 0.24%[12] (US. Kansas), 0.42%[13] (US, Chicago),
Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC) 0.11%[11] (UK)
Empirical definition (Reeves criteria) 2.54%[23]
Epidemiological Case Definition (ECD) 0.015%[11] (UK) 0.03%[11] (UK)
Diagnoses reported by general practitioners and pediatricians in the Netherlands (criteria unspecified) 0.012%[24] (NL, 10-18 year olds) 0.11%[24] (NL, 10-18 year olds)

Sex[edit | edit source]

Age and gender distribution of ME/CFS.[16]

Numerous studies have found the rates of ME/CFS to be substantially higher in adult women than in men, with estimates ranging from 75-85%.[13][16][25]

A higher preponderance of women has also been noted in numerous outbreaks including Los Angeles, Akureyri, Rockville, MD, Royal Free Hospital, and Punta Gorda, Florida.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32] In some cases, this was thought to do with the occupational hazard of nursing, but this female-skewed sex ratio was also found in several outbreaks among the general population. However, in other outbreaks, including the 1949-1953 Adelaide outbreak and an outbreak in northern England in 1955, a 1:1 gender ratio was reported.[26] In Akureyri, a significantly higher incidence rate was found among adult women but not in patients under twenty.[32]

Age[edit | edit source]

New cases of ME/CFS have been in children as young as eight and adults in their eighties. In terms of incidence, a study in Norway found two age peaks, one between 10 and 19 years and a second peak between 30 and 39 years.[16] In terms of prevalence, Jason found that individuals in the 40- to 49-year-old age range exhibited the highest prevalence rates of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).[13]

Race and ethnicity[edit | edit source]

In 1999, a community-based study by Dr Leonard Jason, et al, performed in the Chicago area found that individuals who identified as people of color exhibited higher rates of CFS than whites, with Latino participants demonstrating the highest CFS prevalence.[13]

Socioeconomic characteristics[edit | edit source]

The prevalence of CFS was highest among skilled workers and lowest among professionals.[13]

Severity[edit | edit source]

Comparison of disability for ME/CFS and other conditions. Source: Hvidberg et al 2015. PLoSOne 10(7):e0132421.[33]

People with ME/CFS are more disabled and socially marginalized than for most other chronic illnesses.[33]

Around 25 percent of people with ME/CFS will have a mild form and are able to go to school or work either part-time or full-time, while reducing other activities. About 50 percent will have a moderate to severe form of ME/CFS and are unlikely to able to study or work. Another 25 percent will experience severe ME/CFS and have to stay at home or in bed.[3]

According to the CDC, up to the 75% of United States patients with ME/CFS are too ill to work,[10] with rates of between 50 and 75% too ill to work worldwide.[34] A study in France by Ghali et al 2020 looked at factors associated with increased severity of post-exertional malaise (PEM), the hallmark symptom, and found that onset at age 32 or later, a gastrointestinal illness triggering ME/CFS and recurrent infections during the illness all increased risk of having more severe PEM.[35]

Risk factors [edit | edit source]

Genetics[edit | edit source]

Five percent of children of mothers with ME/CFS later developed the illness.[36]

Infection[edit | edit source]

Infections are a risk factor for the development of ME/CFS.[37] The vast majority of people diagnosed with ME/CFS report that their illness began after a virus or other infection, especially Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus and Q fever.[38][39] One study found recurrent infections since the onset of ME/CFS increased the risk of more severe post-exertional malaise.[35]

Bodily response to physical or emotional stress[edit | edit source]

An accident, physical trauma, anesthetics, or significant emotional stress have been reported by some patients prior to onset of symptoms.[37] According to the CDC, this may cause a physical response by affecting body chemistry including the HPA axis, levels of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), the stress hormone cortisol and others.[38]

Environmental factors[edit | edit source]

Mold or toxin exposure is an expected trigger although specific environmental factors with ME/CFS have not been established.[37][8]:1-2

Prognosis[edit | edit source]

The prognosis for ME/CFS is considered to be poor with only a minority (a median estimate of 5%) returning to pre-morbid levels of functioning.[40] The majority of patients remains significantly impaired. A substantial improvement however is noted in an estimated 40% of patients[40][41] and the prognosis in adolescents is considered to be better than in adults.[42][43][44]

Mortality[edit | edit source]

One study found no increased risk of all cause mortality or mortality from cancer but an increased risk of suicide. Suicide risk was increased 6.85 compared to the general population.[45] It was based on a cohort that used multiple clinical criteria, including the Oxford criteria[46] which was later recommended for retirement due to the likelihood of including patients without ME/CFS. A Spanish study found a suicide risk of 12.75% versus 2.3% in the general population.[47]

A 2006 study by Leonard Jason found that ME/CFS patients died of cancer, heart failure and suicide at considerable younger age than the general population. For example while the median age of death for cancer in the US was 72, the average age at which ME/CFS patients died of cancer was 47. And while the average age of heart failure in the general population was 83, it was only 58 in the ME/CFS sample.[48]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "How Many People Have ME/CFS? – American ME and CFS Society". Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  2. McGrath, Simon (June 11, 2018). "Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS". ME/CFS Research Review. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Institute of Medicine (2015). Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi:10.17226/19012. ISBN 0309316898. PMID 25695122.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Key Facts" (PDF). The National Academies of Medicine. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2020.
  5. "What is ME/CFS? | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 18, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  6. Fatima (January 31, 2011). "Raising Awareness". Raising Awareness for ME/CFS. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  7. "About ME/CFS | Forgotten Plague". Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Carruthers, BM; van de Sande, MI; De Meirleir, KL; Klimas, NG; Broderick, G; Mitchell, T; Staines, D; Powles, ACP; Speight, N; Vallings, R; Bateman, L; Bell, DS; Carlo-Stella, N; Chia, J; Darragh, A; Gerken, A; Jo, D; Lewis, DP; Light, AR; Light, KC; Marshall-Gradisnik, S; McLaren-Howard, J; Mena, I; Miwa, K; Murovska, M; Stevens, SR (2012), Myalgic encephalomyelitis: Adult & Paediatric: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners (PDF), ISBN 978-0-9739335-3-6
  9. "Epidemiology | Presentation and Clinical Course | Healthcare Providers | Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 8, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Lapp, C; Unger, ER; Komaroff, AL; Nath, A . (February 2016), "CDC public health grand rounds. Chronic fatigue syndrome: advancing research and clinical education" (PDF), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, retrieved April 3, 2020
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 Nacul, LC (July 2011). "Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care". BMC Medicine. 9: 91.
  12. 12.0 12.1 Reyes, Michele (July 14, 2003). "Prevalence and Incidence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Wichita, Kansas". JAMA Internal Medicine. 163: 1530–1536.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Jason, LA; Richman, JA; Rademaker, AW; Jordan, KM; Plioplys, AV; Taylor, RR; McCready, W; Huang, C; Plioplys, S (1999), "A Community-Based Study of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", Arch Intern Med, 159 (18): 2129-2137, doi:10.1001/archinte.159.18.2129
  14. "Analysis of data from 500,000 individuals in UK Biobank demonstrates an inherited component to ME/CFS". ME/CFS Research Review. June 11, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  15. Johnston, Samantha; Brenu, Ekua W.; Staines, Donald; Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya (2013). "The prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalomyelitis: a meta-analysis". Clinical Epidemiology. 5: 105–110. doi:10.2147/CLEP.S39876. ISSN 1179-1349. PMC 3616604. PMID 23576883.
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Bakken, Inger Johanne; Tveito, Kari; Gunnes, Nina; Ghaderi, Sara; Stoltenberg, Camilla; Trogstad, Lill; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Magnus, Per (October 1, 2014). "Two age peaks in the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a population-based registry study from Norway 2008-2012". BMC medicine. 12: 167. doi:10.1186/s12916-014-0167-5. ISSN 1741-7015. PMC 4189623. PMID 25274261.
  17. Emerge Quarterly Journal, AUTUMN 2016 - Vol 36 - No 1, page 14, Mar 2016
  18. Working Group on CFS/ME, Department of Health (January 11, 2003). "Annex 1: Epidemiology of CFS/ME".
  19. Bazelmans E, Vercoulen J.H.M.M, Galama J.M.D, Van Weel, C, Van Der Meer J.W.M, Bleijenberg G. (1997). Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom en het primaire-fibromyalgiesyndroom in Nederland. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141: 1520-1523. 
  20. Versluis R.G.J.A, De Waal M.W.M, Opmeer C, Petri H, Springer M.P. (1997). Prevalentie van het chronische-vermoeidheidssyndroom in 4 huisartspraktijken in de regio Leiden. Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde; 141(31): 1523-26. 
  21. Health Council of the Netherlands. ME/CFS. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands, 2018; publication no. 2018/07.
  22. Magnus, P (November 17, 2015). "Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is associated with pandemic influenza infection, but not with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine". Vaccine. 33: 6173–7.
  23. Reeves, William C.; Jones, James F.; Maloney, Elizabeth; Heim, Christine; Hoaglin, David C.; Boneva, Roumiana S.; Morrissey, Marjorie; Devlin, Rebecca (June 8, 2007). "Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in metropolitan, urban, and rural Georgia". Population Health Metrics. 5: 5. doi:10.1186/1478-7954-5-5. ISSN 1478-7954. PMC 1904178. PMID 17559660.
  24. 24.0 24.1 Nijhof, Sanne (April 2011). "Adolescent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Prevalence, Incidence, and Morbidity". Pediatrics.
  25. Gunn, Walter (1993). "Epidemiology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Centers for Disease Control Study". Ciba Foundation Symposium 173 ‐ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
  26. 26.0 26.1 Parish, JG (1978). "Early outbreaks of 'epidemic neuromyasthenia'". Postgraduate Medical Journal. 54: 711–7.
  27. Shelokov, Alexis; Habel, Karl; Verder, Elizabeth; Welsh, William (August 1957). "Epidemic Neuromyasthenia — An Outbreak of Poliomyelitis-like Illness in Student Nurses". New England Journal of Medicine (257): 345-355. doi:10.1056/NEJM195708222570801.
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