Vahratian, Anjel, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Bertolli, Jeanne et al. · NCHS data brief · 2023
This study looked at how many adults in the United States had ME/CFS during 2021-2022 by surveying a large, representative group of people. Researchers found that ME/CFS affects people across all ages, races, and ethnic groups. The study also showed that ME/CFS costs the U.S. economy between $18-51 billion each year.
This is one of the few large-scale, nationally representative prevalence studies of ME/CFS in the U.S., providing current epidemiologic data essential for understanding disease burden and healthcare planning. The study's findings on economic costs and broad population impact help validate ME/CFS as a significant public health concern and support advocacy for research funding and clinical resources.
This study does not establish causes of ME/CFS, mechanisms of disease, or why certain demographic groups may have different rates. It also cannot determine whether reported symptoms meet strict clinical criteria such as post-exertional malaise, since it relies on survey responses rather than clinical evaluation. Cross-sectional design means we cannot determine who will develop ME/CFS or how the condition progresses over time.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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