Tired, exhausted? You could have chronic fatigue syndrome – it’s more common than past studies suggest but ‘getting care is a struggle’

Chronic fatigue syndrome, colloquially known as 'yuppie flu', is a condition that affects a larger number of American adults than previously estimated. According to the first nationally representative estimate by US health officials, approximately 3. 3 million adults are affected by this syndrome. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that this number may be inflated due to some patients suffering from long-term effects of Covid-19. Dr Elizabeth Unger of the CDC, a co-author of the report, asserts that chronic fatigue syndrome is not a rare illness.

A study conducted in Hong Kong in 2010 found that the prevalence rate of chronic fatigue was 10. 7%, equating to about 600,000 adults in the city at that time. The rate was higher among women, older age groups, and those with low socioeconomic status. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterised by severe exhaustion lasting at least six months, which is not alleviated by bed rest. Patients also report experiencing pain, cognitive difficulties, and other symptoms that exacerbate after physical activity, work, or other exertions. There is currently no cure for this syndrome, and no blood test or scan that can facilitate a swift diagnosis.

Some medical professionals dismiss chronic fatigue syndrome as psychosomatic, attributing it to mental factors. However, research suggests that it may be a prolonged overreaction of the body to an infection or other disturbance to the immune system. The syndrome gained prominence nearly four decades ago when clusters of cases were reported in two American communities. Some physicians dismissed it as psychosomatic and labelled it 'yuppie flu'. This perception persists among some physicians, experts, and patients. Hannah Powell, a 26-year-old woman, went undiagnosed for five years, with doctors attributing her symptoms to hypochondria, anxiety, and depression. The recent CDC report is based on a survey of 57,000 US adults conducted in 2021 and 2022. Participants were asked if they had ever been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and whether they still suffered from it. Approximately 1. 3% of participants responded affirmatively to both questions, translating to about 3. 3 million adults, according to CDC officials.