Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Demographics

Because there is no definitive test to identify CFS--or even agreement about what CFS is--estimates of its prevalence vary widely. Studies in the United States have found between 75 and 420 cases of CFS for every 100,000 adults.

Breakdown

Far more women than men get CFS. Minorities and low income people are slightly more likely to have CFS. People of all ages get CFS, though the prevalence for children and adolescents is not known. Among minors with CFS, about half are boys and half girls.

Grouping

CFS occurs both in isolated cases and large-scale outbreaks. Blood relatives of people who have CFS are more likely to get it.