 |
|
Suzanne D. Vernon, PhD
Scientific Director
|
Symptom Survey Responses Indicate Cardinal Symptoms of CFS
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. In August we reported a preliminary analysis; this month we have more closely analyzed the symptom patterns you reported. Of the 1,200 survey responses, 1,100 were completed accurately for the analysis.
The respondents were broken down into four age groups and the age at the date of the survey was calculated, as well as duration of illness. The age groups, numbers of women and men in each group as well as average age and age range for each group are shown in the table below.
|
Age group |
Total |
Number of females |
Number of males |
Age at survey
(in years) |
Age at onset
(in years) |
Illness duration
(in years) |
|
Under 25 |
32 |
25 |
7 |
21 (11 to 24) |
15 (6 to 23) |
6 (1 to 13) |
|
25 to 40 |
191 |
155 |
36 |
35 (26 to 40) |
26 (11 to 40) |
10 (.5 to 26) |
|
41 to 55 |
494 |
431 |
63 |
49 (41 to 55) |
35 (10 to 52) |
15 (.5 to 41) |
|
Over 55 |
383 |
330 |
53 |
63 (56 to 83) |
43 (10 to 67) |
20 (.5 to 59) |
The largest group of respondents (44.9%) was in the 41 to 55 years age group. Each age group had more women than men. Even though the average age of onset was older for the older age groups, each group still included respondents reporting onset at an early age (e.g., 10 years old). Each age group is sick with CFS on average for more than 5 years.
Survey respondents checked the symptoms they experienced. I have analyzed these symptoms by age groups and graphed them by the most common symptom to the least common symptom. The most common symptoms for all age groups are post-exertion fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain and concentration problems. The next most common symptoms for all age groups are headache, joint pain, sinus problems, eyes sensitive to light, depression and other sleep problems. Interestingly, some of the symptoms that are less common also seem to vary more by age group. For example, pelvic pain is more common in the under-25 year age group while urgent need to urinate is more common in the older age groups.
The same four symptoms that were most common – post-exertion fatigue, concentration problems, muscle pain and unrefreshing sleep – were also reported to be the most severe for all age groups. The severity of unrefreshing sleep decreased slightly in the older age groups. Also, the less common symptoms were reported as more severe in the older age groups. This may be an indication of conditions that evolve and co-occur with CFS as individuals age and remain ill.
Over the next few months we will conduct correlative and combinatorial analyses to see if we can find significant associations with cause, age, sex and symptoms. We will also integrate the family history information you provided to see if this helps us elucidate cause(s) and pathophysiology of CFS.
Stay tuned, and thank you again for participating in this rich and important survey!
____________________________________________________________________________
Support validating CFS research with your gift to the CFIDS Association of America. Donate now!
|
