Chronic fatigue syndrome - Sociodemographic subtypes in a community-based sample

Most chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) studies are based on information about patients from primary or tertiary care settings. These patients might not b e typical of patients in the general population. This investigation involve d examinations of individuals with CFS from a community-based study. A rand om sample of 18,675 in Chicago was interviewed ed by telephone. Individuals with chronic fatigue and at least four minor symptoms associated with CFS were given medical and psychiatric examinations. A group of physicians then diagnosed individuals with CFS, who were then subclassified based on three sociodemographic categories-gender ethnicity, and work status. Sociodemogr aphic sub-groups were analyzed in terms of symptom severity, functional dis ability, coping, optimism perceived stress, and psychiatric comorbidity. Wo men, minorities, and nonworking individuals with CFS reported greater level s of functional disability symptom severity and poorer psychosocial functio ning than men, Caucasians, and working individuals, suggesting sociodemogra phic characteristics may be associated with poorer outcomes in urban, commu nity-based samples of CFS individuals.