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. 2021 Feb 1;11(2):e041947. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041947

Table 3.

Mean scores for the diagnostic questionnaires for the CFS/ME and FM groups and the number of participants who confirmed that they experienced each symptom in the past 6 months on the American CDC Symptom Inventory

American CDC Symptom Inventory CFS/ME FM
Variable Mean Score Yes n Yes % No n No % Mean Score Yes n Yes % No n No %
Sore throat 3.79 77 76.2 24 23.8 3.59 82 76.6 25 23.4
Tender lymph nodes 4.60 81 80.2 20 19.8 4.25 83 77.6 24 22.4
Fatigue after exertion 12.43 101 100.0 0 0 12.99 106 99.1 1 0.9
Muscle aches and pains 9.51 95 94.1 6 5.9 13.79 107 100.0 0 0
Joint pain 7.78 85 84.2 16 15.8 11.48 105 98.1 2 1.9
Unrefreshing sleep 10.97 96 95.1 5 4.9 13.19 107 100.0 0 0
Headaches 6.27 93 92.1 8 7.9 9.96 95 88.8 12 11.2
Memory and concentration problems 9.37 96 95.1 5 4.9 9.62 104 97.2 3 2.8
Total degree of distress 64.72 75.87
Number of pain points 8.49 13.59

CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome; FM, fibromyalgia; ME, myalgic encephalomyelitis.