*GG*
senior member
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(But in one way, this is like saying:
If A = B
and B = C,
then A must = C
Statistics only quote what data has been used in the Survey Analysis.
Statisticians forget that D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L & so on, up to Z, have not been included in the survey.
If they surveyed ALL people ALL over the world, then D - Z would re-write the Survey results.
(that's my take on it all).
I believe the ratio of men to women with ME/CFS is only a reflection of the survey & statistics at the current time, but the important information is the very fact that ME/CFS (& FM) is clearly male, female, child or adult. The very fact that both sexes & all ages groups are affected, relects that at this time in medical history & research, one can't narrow down a particular type (who is affected).
And while, FM sufferers (I say FM because I know more about my own FM) seem to be high achievers or very focussed & driven individuals, this could just reflect that high achievers are aiming for higher success in their life & are quick to report to their Dr when they fall "ill" & are unable to achieve that striven for "success". Therefore high achievers are more likely to be counted in the survey on FM.
The true result may be that the quieter person (or middle achiever, or non-achiever, or person who is not interested in high achievement as a focus in their life) has not reported their condition or been to their Dr (& may outnumber the FM patients that HAVE been surveyed).
I am not sure of the A should = C item, since this is not just simple mathematics we are talking about, we are talking about our complex bodies and disease. I do agree with your analysis though of who reports and why. FM sufferer also, so perhaps I am an anomaly since Fibro is mostly a women's disease also! GG = Male.