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Who's at
Risk?
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is far more common
than was once thought. More than four million Americans have CFS. This medical
condition strikes more people in the
United States
than multiple sclerosis, lupus, lung
cancer or AIDS.
Scientists and the medical community continue to
explore possible causes and risk factors for CFS. Many questions remain, but
there are some facts that may help indicate who is most at risk for
CFS:
- CFS is four times more frequent in
women than in men, although that figure appears to differ among various racial
and ethic groups.
- The illness occurs most often in
people in their 40s and 50s, but people of all ages can get
CFS.
- CFS is less common in children than in
adults. Studies suggest that CFS is more prevalent in adolescents than in
younger children.
- CFS occurs in all ethnic and racial
groups, and in countries around the world. Research indicates that CFS is at
least as common among African Americans and Hispanics as it is among
Caucasians.
- People of all income levels can develop
CFS, although there's evidence that it's more common in lower-income than
affluent individuals. It's unclear whether the higher prevalence among lower
socioeconomic groups is impacted by decreased access to health care, or
whether other factors are involved.
- CFS
is sometimes seen in members of the same family, but there's no
evidence that it's contagious. Instead, there may be a familial or genetic
link.
For More Information
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Fact sheet for
women
Fact sheet for
pediatric CFS
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