Russell Viner1, Matthew Hotopf. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Middlesex Hospital, London W1T 3AA. R.Viner@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study childhood risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome in adult life. DESIGN: Examination of data from the 1970 British birth cohort. PARTICIPANTS: 16,567 babies born 5-11 April 1970, followed up at 5, 10, 16, and 29-30 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) identified by self report at age 30 years. Data from childhood from questionnaires given to parents and teachers. Maternal mental health assessed with the malaise inventory. RESULTS: 93 (0.8%, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 1.0) of 11 261 participants reported ever having CFS/ME, and 48 (0.4%, 0.3 to 0.6) had the condition currently. Higher risk of CFS/ME was associated with having a limiting longstanding condition in childhood (odds ratio 2.3, 1.4 to 3.9), female sex (2.3, 1.4 to 2.6), and high social class in childhood (2.2, 1.4 to 3.5). Higher levels of exercise in childhood were associated with lower risk (0.5, 0.2 to 0.9). Maternal psychological disorder, psychological problems in childhood, birth weight, birth order, atopy, obesity, school absence, academic ability, and parental illness were not associated with risk of CFS/ME. CONCLUSIONS: We identified no association between maternal or child psychological distress, academic ability, parental illness, atopy, or birth order and increasing risk of lifetime CFS/ME. Sedentary behaviour increased the risk.
OBJECTIVE: To study childhood risk factors for chronic fatigue syndrome in adult life. DESIGN: Examination of data from the 1970 British birth cohort. PARTICIPANTS: 16,567 babies born 5-11 April 1970, followed up at 5, 10, 16, and 29-30 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) identified by self report at age 30 years. Data from childhood from questionnaires given to parents and teachers. Maternal mental health assessed with the malaise inventory. RESULTS: 93 (0.8%, 95% confidence interval 0.7 to 1.0) of 11 261 participants reported ever having CFS/ME, and 48 (0.4%, 0.3 to 0.6) had the condition currently. Higher risk of CFS/ME was associated with having a limiting longstanding condition in childhood (odds ratio 2.3, 1.4 to 3.9), female sex (2.3, 1.4 to 2.6), and high social class in childhood (2.2, 1.4 to 3.5). Higher levels of exercise in childhood were associated with lower risk (0.5, 0.2 to 0.9). Maternal psychological disorder, psychological problems in childhood, birth weight, birth order, atopy, obesity, school absence, academic ability, and parental illness were not associated with risk of CFS/ME. CONCLUSIONS: We identified no association between maternal or child psychological distress, academic ability, parental illness, atopy, or birth order and increasing risk of lifetime CFS/ME. Sedentary behaviour increased the risk.
Authors: K L MacDonald; M T Osterholm; K H LeDell; K E White; C H Schenck; C C Chao; D H Persing; R C Johnson; J M Barker; P K Peterson Journal: Am J Med Date: 1996-05 Impact factor: 4.965
Authors: E M van de Putte; R H H Engelbert; W Kuis; G Sinnema; J L L Kimpen; C S P M Uiterwaal Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2005-07-27 Impact factor: 3.791
Authors: Harriet A Ball; Sisira H Siribaddana; Athula Sumathipala; Yulia Kovas; Nick Glozier; Peter McGuffin; Matthew Hotopf Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2010-02-02 Impact factor: 3.630