The economic impact of chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the economic impact of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) on the individual, the government, and the community.


METHODS
The financial burden produced by CFS was studied by calculating the direct and indirect costs arising from the disorder. Data regarding use of health resources, income and employment were obtained by questionnaire from patients with CFS. In addition, aggregate Medicare data on the incidence and fees charged for each Schedule item for these patients was obtained.


METHODS
The Richmond Valley, New South Wales.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with CFS identified in our population-based prevalence study.


RESULTS
The conservative estimate of the per annum costs of CFS in the Richmond Valley, with a prevalence of 37.1 cases per 100,000, was $396,000. If extrapolated to the Australian population, we estimate CFS would generate an annual cost of at least $59 million.


CONCLUSIONS
This disorder constitutes a large but neglected area of health resource utilisation and economic burden.
Lloyd
A R
AR
Department of Infectious Diseases, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, NSW.
Pender
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004180:Direct Service Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007183:Income Tax; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires