Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex, long-term illness 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. 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 0.1% to 2.5%.
References
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023) Clinical Overview of ME/CFS. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html (Accessed: 11 October 2024).
Russell-Jones, GJ 2022 Functional vitamin B12 deficiency in CFS. Int J. Psychiatry 27 Jul 2022
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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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Witham, M., Kennedy, G., Belch, J., Hill, A., & Khan, F. (2014). Association between vitamin D status and markers of vascular health in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). International Journal of Cardiology, 174(1), 139-140
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