Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2012 Dec;87(12):1145-52.
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2012.08.015. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Prevalence, incidence, and classification of chronic fatigue syndrome in Olmsted County, Minnesota, as estimated using the Rochester Epidemiology Project

Ann Vincent  1 , Dana J Brimmer, Mary O Whipple, James F Jones, Roumiana Boneva, Brian D Lahr, Elizabeth Maloney, Jennifer L St Sauver, William C Reeves
Affiliations

Prevalence, incidence, and classification of chronic fatigue syndrome in Olmsted County, Minnesota, as estimated using the Rochester Epidemiology Project

Ann Vincent et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome in Olmsted County, Minnesota, using the 1994 case definition and describe exclusionary and comorbid conditions observed in patients who presented for evaluation of long-standing fatigue.

Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of potential cases of chronic fatigue syndrome identified from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002, using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a population-based database. Patients were classified as having chronic fatigue syndrome if the medical record review documented fatigue of 6 months' duration, at least 4 of 8 chronic fatigue syndrome-defining symptoms, and symptoms that interfered with daily work or activities. Patients not meeting all of the criteria were classified as having insufficient/idiopathic fatigue.

Results: We identified 686 potential patients with chronic fatigue, 2 of whom declined consent for medical record review. Of the remaining 684 patients, 151 (22%) met criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome or insufficient/idiopathic fatigue. The overall prevalence and incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome and insufficient/idiopathic fatigue were 71.34 per 100,000 persons and 13.16 per 100,000 person-years vs 73.70 per 100,000 persons and 13.58 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The potential cases included 482 patients (70%) who had an exclusionary condition, and almost half the patients who met either criterion had at least one nonexclusionary comorbid condition.

Conclusion: The incidence and prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome and insufficient/idiopathic fatigue are relatively low in Olmsted County. Careful clinical evaluation to identify whether fatigue could be attributed to exclusionary or comorbid conditions rather than chronic fatigue syndrome itself will ensure appropriate assessment for patients without chronic fatigue syndrome.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

FIGURE
FIGURE
Identification and classification of patients with chronic fatigue (CF) syndrome (CFS) and insufficient/idiopathic fatigue (ISF).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Fukuda K., Straus S.E., Hickie I., Sharpe M.C., Dobbins J.G., Komaroff A., International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121(12):953–959. - PubMed
    1. Taylor R.R., Jason L.A., Curie C.J. Prognosis of chronic fatigue in a community-based sample. Psychosom Med. 2002;64(2):319–327. - PubMed
    1. Jason L.A., Porter N., Hunnell J., Brown A., Rademaker A., Richman J.A. A natural history study of chronic fatigue syndrome. Rehabil Psychol. 2011;56(1):32–42. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Brimmer D.J., Fridinger F., Lin J.M., Reeves W.C.U.S. healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions concerning chronic fatigue syndrome. BMC Fam Pract. 2010;11:28. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Solomon L., Reeves W.C. Factors influencing the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(20):2241–2245. - PubMed

Publication types