Table 1.
Details of the population statistics.
| Gender (n) | Female | Controls | ME/CFS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 20 | ||
| Age | Mean +/− SD | 46 +/− 13.3 | 49.2 +/− 11.8 |
| Median (min-max) | 50.5 (27–66) | 52 (27–68) | |
| BMI | Mean +/− SD | 23.2 +/− 3.4 | 24 +/− 5.1 |
| Median (min-max) | 21.8 (18.1–29.3) | 22.6 (16.8–37.4) | |
| Type of onset | Gradual | NA | 35% |
| Sudden | NA | 65% | |
| Gut symptoms * | 5% | 55% | |
| Positive tilt table test ** (n = 12) | ND | 67% | |
| Bell’s disability scale *** | 10–20 | 0 | 7 |
| 30–40 | 0 | 7 | |
| 50–60 | 1 | 6 | |
| 90–100 | 19 | 0 | |
| SF-36 *** | Physical component summary (PCS) | 55.4 +/− 5.9 | 27 +/− 8.6 |
| Mental component summary (MCS) | 53.6 +/− 9.6 | 37.6 +/− 11.8 |
* Subjects reporting either irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease. ** A tilt test had previously been performed on 12 of the ME/CFS patients, and eight were positive. *** Higher scores represent better health. NA: not applicable. ND: not determined.