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Survey Responses Reflect Multi-Factor Nature of CFS
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Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD
Scientific Director
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By Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD
In May we asked CFIDSLink readers, donors and members to respond to a detailed 15-item questionnaire to examine family history and patterns of symptoms and factors at onset of illness and that may worsen symptoms over time. We capped survey responses at 1,200 and we have tallied the responses for a few of the survey questions to share with you.
To the question, “Select one or more factors that you believe contributed to your GETTING CFS,” 1,086 answered and their results are shown in the bar graph directly below. There were 247 (23%) people that noted “Infection” for getting CFS (blue bar); 821 people said that “Infection” plus one or more of the other factors contributed to their getting CFS (red bar). Twenty people (2%) indicated that “toxic or environmental exposure” contributed to getting CFS and 266 indicated it was this factor plus others. Only 8 (0.5%) people selected “vaccination” for getting CFS and 85 selected “vaccination” plus other factors. “Physical trauma” was selected by 21 (2%) people and 188 selected “physical trauma” plus other factors. “Emotional trauma” was selected by 73 (7%) people who indicated this was the only contributing factor to getting CFS, whereas 188 selected “emotional trauma” plus other factors. Sixty five (6%) people selected “other stressors” while 454 selected “other stressors” plus additional factors. Interestingly, the majority of people – 700 (66%) – indicated that a combination of factors contributed to their getting CFS.
1,119 people answered the question, “Select one or more factors that you believe contributed to your staying ill (or becoming more ill).” Results are shown directly below. There were 186 (16%) people who noted “Infection” for staying ill and 366 people said that “Infection” plus one or more of the other factors kept them ill. Thirty-four people (3%) indicated that “toxic or environmental exposure” contributed to them staying ill and 216 indicated it was this factor plus others that kept them ill. Only 7 (0.5%) people selected “vaccination” as the only factor keeping them ill and 47 selected “vaccination” plus other factors. “Physical trauma” was selected by 16 (1%) of people and 137 selected “physical trauma” plus other factors. “Emotional trauma” was selected by 24 (2%) people who indicated this was the only contributing factor to getting CFS whereas 321 selected “emotional trauma” plus other factors. “Other stressors” was selected most frequently with 274 (24%) indicating it was the only factor that kept them ill and 449 indicated “other stressors plus other factors.” 580 (54%) indicated that a combination of factors kept them ill.
Not surprisingly, getting at the cause of CFS by asking people about their onset reflects the same complexity and need for subsets that the medical literature suggests. Most survey respondents indicated that more than one factor was responsible for them getting CFS. Infection as a cause for CFS accounts for almost of quarter. A combination of factors and “other stressors” was selected most frequently for keeping people ill with CFS.
This is a rich data set and we will continue mining it for other patterns and profiles that may advance understanding and research. Thanks to all who participated.
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