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Prevalence of ME/CFS: A growing problem

Determining the prevalence of any disease may be thought of as a simple matter, underpinned by certainties and sound science. However, in ME/CFS prevalence figures are not so straightforward – confounded as they are by differing disease definitions, data collection methods, and even when and where a study was carried out.  

In a series of articles, ME Research UK will examine exactly what is meant by prevalence, what figures over the years have been suggested, and, most importantly, the limitations of the studies that do exist which highlight just how complex the question of prevalence actually is.   

Such a simple question, but one which research has yet to provide a universally acceptable answer as ME Research UK shows:

  1. What is prevalence and why is it important?
  2. What the existing research says about the prevalence of ME/CFS, alongside the research’s strengths and limitations.
  3. Why existing estimates for the prevalence of ME/CFS may no longer apply to the UK population today.
  4. A summary, and recommendations for the next steps.

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