Hidden Thousands Devastated By M.E.
Results released from a GB-wide Ipsos survey, show that a third (35%) of the general public have never even heard of M.E. when prompted, despite there being almost three times as many people with M.E. as M.S.
Only 5% of the respondents who were aware of M.E. were aware of how widespread it is (stating that between 200,000 and 300,000 people suffered from M.E. in the UK), with one third (34%) believing there were less than 50,000 sufferers in the UK.
M.E. is a painful and debilitating illness, affecting around one in every 250 people in the UK. The illness affects many body systems and their functions, particularly the nervous and immune systems. In 2002, the British Government gave formal recognition to the illness. It is also recognised by the World Health Organisation as a neurological condition.
M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Encephalopathy) is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and sometimes diagnosed as Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS).
Technical details
Research conducted using Capibus, Ipsos's face-to-face weekly omnibus. A representative sample of 2,084 people aged 15 and above were surveyed between 10-16 February 2006 in Great Britain.
