Hip
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This paper comparing sudden to gradual onset CFS is interesting: they studied 36 CFS patients, who were self referred. Out of this 36, 25 were sudden onset, and 11 were gradual onset, suggesting that sudden onset is more common.
So in this study they found:
31% of CFS patients are gradual onset
69% of CFS patients are sudden onset
Sudden onset was defined as a viral-like illness with a specific date of onset from which subjects did not recover. Gradual onset was defined as a slow progression of symptoms over a period of weeks to several months or greater.
They found that CFS patients with gradual onset are more likely to have comorbid psychiatric disorders (such as major depression and anxiety) than patients with sudden onset of symptoms.
They also note that in another study, CFS patients with gradual onset had a significantly greater incidence of stressful life events occurring in the year just prior to symptom onset, relative to CFS patients with sudden onset.
Analysis of level of fatigue and illness severity showed no significant differences between the sudden vs gradual CFS groups.
CFS subjects with sudden onset tended to experience more difficulties in memory (particularly verbal memory) than subjects with gradual onset of symptoms.
So in this study they found:
31% of CFS patients are gradual onset
69% of CFS patients are sudden onset
Sudden onset was defined as a viral-like illness with a specific date of onset from which subjects did not recover. Gradual onset was defined as a slow progression of symptoms over a period of weeks to several months or greater.
They found that CFS patients with gradual onset are more likely to have comorbid psychiatric disorders (such as major depression and anxiety) than patients with sudden onset of symptoms.
They also note that in another study, CFS patients with gradual onset had a significantly greater incidence of stressful life events occurring in the year just prior to symptom onset, relative to CFS patients with sudden onset.
Analysis of level of fatigue and illness severity showed no significant differences between the sudden vs gradual CFS groups.
CFS subjects with sudden onset tended to experience more difficulties in memory (particularly verbal memory) than subjects with gradual onset of symptoms.
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