Demographics

Our respondents came from 42 states and 9 foreign countries, with perhaps only Dr. Les Simpson having conducted a more geographically diverse study of ME/CFS patients. The mean age of the long-term group was 48.4 (SD = 10.4, range 19-80 years). That for the short-term group was 45.5 (SD = 12.4) and the significant-other group was significantly older at mean age 51.8 (SD = 12.4, P = .003). 96.8% of the long-term participants were Caucasian, and 3.2% were either Hispanic, Asian or Native American. Other demographic data is summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Demographic data for the 465 participants 

                        Long-duration    Short-duration     Significant-other

                           ME/CFS              ME/CFS                   group_______

  N                             258                 28                         179  

Age (years)              48.4                45.5                       51.8*

% women                 85.1                89.3                      32.2*

Education (years)     15.5                16.1                      15.1

% married                 51.6               37.0*                     76.5*

% working (full or    28.2*             63.6                       61.8*

part-time)

% on disability due     40

to ME/CFS

Median Income   U.S. $20,000-30,000                U.S. $20,000-30,000

Illness duration           16 yrs          3 yrs

    (median)  

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* p < .01