title: Prevalence, incidence, and classification of chronic fatigue syndrome in Olmsted County, Minnesota, as estimated using the Rochester Epidemiology Project.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence and incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome in Olmsted County, Minnesota, using the 1994 case definition and describe exclusionary and comorbid conditions observed in patients who presented for evaluation of long-standing fatigue.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective medical record review of potential cases of chronic fatigue syndrome identified from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002, using the Rochester Epidemiology Project, a population-based database. Patients were classified as having chronic fatigue syndrome if the medical record review documented fatigue of 6 months' duration, at least 4 of 8 chronic fatigue syndrome-defining symptoms, and symptoms that interfered with daily work or activities. Patients not meeting all of the criteria were classified as having insufficient/idiopathic fatigue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 686 potential patients with chronic fatigue, 2 of whom declined consent for medical record review. Of the remaining 684 patients, 151 (22%) met criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome or insufficient/idiopathic fatigue. The overall prevalence and incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome and insufficient/idiopathic fatigue were 71.34 per 100,000 persons and 13.16 per 100,000 person-years vs 73.70 per 100,000 persons and 13.58 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The potential cases included 482 patients (70%) who had an exclusionary condition, and almost half the patients who met either criterion had at least one nonexclusionary comorbid condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence and prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome and insufficient/idiopathic fatigue are relatively low in Olmsted County. Careful clinical evaluation to identify whether fatigue could be attributed to exclusionary or comorbid conditions rather than chronic fatigue syndrome itself will ensure appropriate assessment for patients without chronic fatigue syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. RSTFCFC@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: Dana J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brimmer
authors.forename: Mary O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Whipple
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Roumiana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boneva
authors.forename: Brian D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Lahr
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maloney
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: St Sauver
authors.forename: William C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Reeves
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D019992:Databases as Topic; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult