Millions of US Adults Suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CDC Reports

Health officials have released the first nationally representative estimate of the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome among adults in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 3.3 million US adults are affected by the condition.

This number is higher than previous studies have suggested and may be influenced by patients with long COVID. Dr. Elizabeth Unger, co-author of the CDC report, emphasized that chronic fatigue syndrome is not a rare illness, highlighting the significant impact it has on a substantial number of individuals.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by severe exhaustion lasting at least six months that is not alleviated by rest. Patients experience a range of symptoms, including pain, cognitive difficulties (referred to as brain fog), and worsening symptoms after physical or mental exertion. Despite extensive research, there is currently no cure for the condition, and diagnosing it is challenging since there are no definitive tests available.

Although the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown, studies suggest that it may result from the body's prolonged overreaction to infections or other immune system triggers. The condition gained attention almost four decades ago when clusters of cases were identified in Incline Village, Nevada, and Lyndonville, New York. Unfortunately, some doctors dismissed it as psychosomatic and infamously labeled it as 'yuppie flu.'

Even today, some physicians still hold the view that chronic fatigue syndrome is a psychosomatic illness, despite evidence and testimonies from experts and patients. Many individuals, like Hannah Powell, a young woman from Utah, have faced skepticism and misdiagnosis in their quest for answers. After struggling with undiagnosed symptoms for five years, Powell was finally diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The new estimate provided by the CDC is based on a 2021-2022 survey of 57,000 US adults. Participants were asked about their medical history and if they had ever been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. Approximately 1.3% of respondents answered affirmatively to both questions, corresponding to about 3.3 million US adults affected by the condition.

The study also revealed that chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women than men and shows variations among different racial and ethnic groups. These findings are consistent with smaller previous studies. However, they challenge the long-held belief that the syndrome predominantly affects affluent white women. In fact, the study indicated that chronic fatigue syndrome occurs with similar frequency among different racial and socioeconomic groups.

Experts acknowledge that the survey relied on patients' recollections rather than medical records, which might result in some overcounting. However, they believe that the reported number only represents a fraction of the individuals actually living with chronic fatigue syndrome. Despite its prevalence, the syndrome remains poorly understood and often undiagnosed due to the lack of approved treatments and clinical guidelines.

While the origins of chronic fatigue syndrome continue to baffle medical professionals, there is increasing recognition that patients with long COVID share many of the same debilitating symptoms. Some experts believe that both conditions may actually be variants of the same underlying illness. However, long COVID receives more acceptance from the medical community and is diagnosed more promptly than chronic fatigue syndrome.

The stories of individuals like Hannah Powell highlight the ongoing struggle for adequate care and understanding surrounding chronic fatigue syndrome. Many patients, in an effort to be heard and believed, resort to identifying their condition as long COVID, where they face less skepticism. The journey towards comprehensive care and recognition for chronic fatigue syndrome is still fraught with challenges and requires further research and advocacy.

As health officials strive to shed light on the significant impact of chronic fatigue syndrome, it is essential that the public gains a deeper understanding of this complex condition. By raising awareness and fostering empathy, society can support those affected and contribute to advancing research and finding effective treatments for this enduring health challenge.