Abstract
A study was made to determine whether the recognition of multiple cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in one school is a unique experience. A five-year retrospective period prevalence survey (1991-1995) was collated from sequential reports made in six English Local Education Authority (LEA) areas. By means of a confidential questionnaire circulated to 2,942 school principals via internal mail, 1,098 schools, comprising 27,327 staff and 333,024 pupils, were investigated. Details were obtained on age, gender, location in school sector, work pattern and morbidity. Forty-two percent of all medically certified long-term sickness absence was ascribed to ME/CFS, this figure being well in excess of all other causes. This diagnosis was significantly associated with case clustering, variable geographical prevalence, a marked increase in the female:malc case ratio at puberty and prolonged disturbance of educational potential. We conclude that ME/CFS in schools leads to serious economic and career problems. Redirection of research to special educational needs and to early diagnosis of infectious agents which can trigger ME/CFS in schools might prevent, at low cost, much chronic illness and education deficit.