


A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that 3.3 million adults in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome.
The figure represents roughly 1.3% of America's adult population. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as "a complex, multisystem illness characterized by activity-limiting fatigue, worsening of symptoms after activity, and other symptoms." The study was conducted throughout 2021 and 2022.
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Women were almost twice as likely to have the condition — 1.7%, compared to 0.9% of men. The condition was positively correlated with age before seeing a major drop-off past the age of 70. The most at-risk age group was 60-69, at 2.1%.
Race also played a factor: Non-Hispanic white people were most affected by the condition, at 1.5%, over half the rate of Asians.
Poorer patients were much more susceptible: People with incomes below the poverty line were nearly twice as likely to have the condition than those making over 200% of the federal poverty line — at 2% and 1.1%, respectively.
CFS was also positively correlated with how rural respondents lived, as those in rural areas were nearly twice as likely to have it, at 1.9%, than those in large, central cosmopolitan areas, at 1.1%.
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The study was based on official diagnoses only — participants were asked, “Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)?” and “Do you still have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or ME?”
It noted that the true rate may be much higher, and some previous studies indicate many cases go undiagnosed.