Prevalence of chronic disabling fatigue in children and adolescents

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology of chronic fatiguing illnesses in young people is poorly understood. Aims: To estimate the lifetime prevalence of different definitions of chronic fatigue in 8-to 17-year-olds. Method: Participants came from two population-based twin series. Parents completed self-report questionnaires that enquired whether either child had ever experienced more than a few days of disabling fatigue. Tele phone interviews were undertaken for individuals who had experienced such an episode. Results: Questionnaires were returned by 1468 families (65% response rate) and telephone interviews were undertaken regarding 99 of the 129 subjects (77%) who had experienced fatigue. The lifetime prevalence estimates ranged from 2.34% (95% CI 1.75-2.94) for disabling fatigue lasting 3 months to 1.29% (95% CI 0.87-1.71) for a disorder resembling adult operationally defined chronic fatigue syndrome. Conclusions: From the age of 11 years, young people have similar rates and types of chronic fatiguing illnesses to adults.