Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex, long-term condition characterised by extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest and can worsen with physical or mental activity. The condition affects multiple body systems, including the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems.
The exact cause of CFS/ME is unknown, but it is believed to be triggered by a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that in England, the lifetime prevalence of ME/CFS might be as high as 0.92% among women and 0.25% among men—equating to an estimated total of around 404,000 individuals affected. According to the CDC, approximately 1.3% of adults in the U.S. had ME/CFS in 2021-2022, with women being more frequently diagnosed than men. Globally, the prevalence of ME/CFS varies, with estimates ranging from 0.2% to 2.8%.
References
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​Samms, G.L. and Ponting, C.P., 2025. Unequal access to diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis in England. BMC Public Health, 25(1), p.1417.
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Vahratian, A., Lin, J.M.S., Bertolli, J. and Unger, E.R., 2023. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in adults: United States, 2021–2022. US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics.
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