Chronic Fatigue Syndrome More Common In Teens: Study

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A new study, which is published in Pediatrics, suggested that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is common among teens.

Teens today are more exposed to a lot of demands, pressure and stress. While some parents may think seeing their children exhausted is normal, they should be more cautious because tiredness at times can signify a serious health problem like CFS.

Mayo Clinic shared CFS is a complicated disorder that is characterized by extreme fatigue, which underlying medical condition can't be explained. Fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity. The condition doesn't improve with rest.

EurekAlert reported that researchers from the University of Bristol found out that almost two percent of 16-year-olds have CFS for more than six months while nearly three percent have CFS lasting for over three months. Teens with CFS missed, on average, more than half a day of school every week.

The researchers examined the data of 5,756 participants who filled out self-reported questionnaires. They learned that CFS is more prevalent among girls between 13 and 16 but not in boys. The study also reported that teens from poorer families were also more likely to report CFS, which dispelled the common notion that this condition often affects the privilege middle class.

"CFS is a very debilitating illness which has a huge impact on the lives of children and their families, and the results of our study underscore the need for further research into the causes of, and improved treatments for, paediatric CFS," said Dr. Simon Collin, lead author of the study.

"This is an important study because it shows that CFS/ME is much more common in teenagers than previously recognized. Treatment at this age is effective for most children but few have access to treatment in the UK," added Dr. Esther Crawley, senior author and consultant paediatrician specializing in CFS/ME.

Crawley revealed that only the most severe cases are getting help. She encourages the paediatricians, like herself, to find better ways on identifying CFS/ME, especially to children from disadvantaged families with limited access to specialist care.

She also admitted that they did not know what triggered the condition. However, the study showed that it could be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in young people, BBC reported.

Sonya Chowdhury, chief executive of Action for ME, thinks that the study is an indication that the condition needs more effective treatments.

"We know from contact with the parents of children with ME that this disabling condition impacts on every area of family life," Chowdhury said. "The reality is that many young people miss considerably more than half a day of school a week while for the most severely affected, their disabling symptoms are compounded by the isolation and loss that comes with being housebound and/or bedbound."