Citation

McManimen SL, Devendorf AR, Brown AA, Moore BC, Moore JH, Jason LA. Fatigue 2016; 4(4): 195-207.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/21641846.2016.1236588

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of research examining mortality in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Some studies suggest there is an elevated risk of suicide and earlier mortality compared to national norms. However, findings are inconsistent.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine if patients are reportedly dying earlier than the overall population from the same cause.

METHODS: Family, friends, and caregivers of deceased patients were recruited. This study analyzed data including cause and age of death for 56 individuals.

RESULTS: The findings suggest patients in this sample are at a significantly increased risk of earlier all-cause (M = 55.9 years) and cardiovascular-related (M = 58.8 years) mortality, and they had a directionally lower age of death for suicide (M = 41.3 years) and cancer (M = 66.3 years) compared to the overall U.S. population [M = 73.5 (all-cause), 77.7 (cardiovascular), 47.4 (suicide), and 71.1 (cancer) years of age].

CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest there is an increase in risk for earlier mortality in patients. Due to sample size and over-representation of severely ill patients, the findings should be replicated to determine if the directional differences for suicide and cancer mortality are significantly different from the overall population. © 2016 IACFS/ME.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; suicide; female; male; depression; mortality; education; suicide attempt; heart rate variability; major clinical study; priority journal; research; middle aged; influenza; lung embolism; cerebrovascular accident; caregiver; demography; infection; heart disease; chronic fatigue syndrome; pneumonia; cardiovascular risk; Article; young adult; blood pressure variability; cardiovascular; encephalomyelitis; Myalgic encephalomyelitis