Epidemiology

The prevalence of ME/CFS varies according to the population studied, the survey methodology, and the criteria used to establish the diagnosis.[15]​​

In the US, ME/CFS affects between 836,000 and 2.5 million people, suggesting a prevalence of around 0.26% to 0.78%.[6]​ Similar prevalence rates have been estimated in the UK (around 0.1% to 0.7%).[16] Data on prevalence in Europe are scarce, but estimates range from around 0.1% to 2.2%.[17]​ The overall estimated minimal yearly incidence was 0.015%. Meta-analysis data suggests significant variability in prevalence rates for ME/CFS when using self-reported and clinically assessed methods, with lower prevalence rates seen when patients are diagnosed by a physician.[15][18]​​​

The prevalence of ME/CFS among adolescents is between 0.003% and 0.5%.[18][19][20]​​​​​​ ME/CFS is more prevalent in adolescents than in younger children.[21]​ Peak ages of onset are during adolescence and between 30 and 50 years.[22][23]​​​[24]​

ME/CFS is 2-3 times more prevalent among women than among men.​[18][24][25]​​

Community surveys carried out in the US suggest that English-speaking white Americans may have a lower risk of ME/CFS than Latino, African-American, or Native American people.[22][26][27]​​ One study carried out in England found a prevalence of ME/CFS among people of Pakistani ancestry of 3.5% compared with 0.8% in white people.[28]

Factor analysis suggests ME, as defined by the Canadian Consensus Criteria, represents 40% to 60% of people with CFS defined by the 1994 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 'Fukuda' criteria.[3][29]​​

One contributing factor to the wide ranges seen in prevalence is a low rate of diagnosis, as it is estimated that up to 90% of people with ME/CFS may not have received the correct diagnosis.[6][30]​​

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