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Possible Racial Disparities in the Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Author

Listed:
  • Chloe Lisette Jones

    (Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

  • Jarred Younger

    (Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) a chronic, disabling illness with no established etiopathology. It has been indicated in some population-based studies that Black and ethnic minority populations are underdiagnosed with ME/CFS. The aims of the present study were to (1) identify the agreement between receiving an ME/CFS diagnosis and meeting diagnostic criteria, (2) identify the demographic characteristics associated with receiving a diagnosis, and (3) explore patient satisfaction with healthcare. Self-reported medical history and symptoms were collected via online survey from respondents with and without fatigue. The agreement between self-reporting an ME/CFS diagnosis and meeting the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) ME/CFS criteria or Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria was assessed with Cohen’s kappa. Patient characteristics predicting a physician diagnosis were analyzed with logistic regression. Associations between diagnosis, demographics, and healthcare satisfaction were assessed with chi-square tests of independence. There were 1110 responses. The agreement between meeting ME/CFS criteria and reporting an ME/CFS diagnosis was fair (CDC: κ = 0.29; SE = 0.02; IOM: κ = 0.28, SE = 0.03). White respondents had 2.94 greater odds of being diagnosed with ME/CFS than non-White respondents. Having an ME/CFS diagnosis was associated with dissatisfaction with healthcare (χ 2 (3, N = 1063) = 14.17, p = 0.003). The findings suggest racial disparities in the diagnostic processes for ME/CFS.

Suggested Citation

  • Chloe Lisette Jones & Jarred Younger, 2025. "Possible Racial Disparities in the Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:2:p:280-:d:1591174
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zdravko Marjanovic & C. Ward Struthers & Robert Cribbie & Esther R. Greenglass, 2014. "The Conscientious Responders Scale," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(3), pages 21582440145, July.
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