Journal article
Chronic Pain Prevalence, Characteristics, and Impact in United States Adults With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Pain management nursing, Vol.27(1), pp.e49-e55
02/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2025.10.006
PMID: 41173685
Abstract
To determine the prevalence of chronic pain, describe characteristics of chronic pain, and examine the impact of chronic pain on quality-of-life in United States adults with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).
Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2023 National Health Interview Survey.
Survey weights and variance estimation variables were employed. Pain duration over the past 3 months was used to determine whether individuals with CFS/ME were experiencing chronic pain. Rao-Scott chi-square test examined group-based differences between those with CFS/ME and chronic pain to those with chronic pain without CFS/ME across pain characteristics (intensity, location, limitations) and three quality-of-life domains (psychological health, general health, life satisfaction).
The proportion of United States adults who reported having CFS/ME was 1.4% (weighted). Of those with CFS/ME, 70.7% (weighted) met study criteria for chronic pain. Pain was common across multiple body locations among those with comorbid CFS/ME and chronic pain, and impacted multiple domains of functioning, including life/work activities and family relationships. Relative to those with chronic pain without CFS/ME, individuals with CFS/ME and chronic pain were significantly more likely to have positive results on depression and anxiety screeners, and report fair/poor general health and life dissatisfaction (ps < .05).
Chronic pain is common among individuals with CFS/ME and is associated with diminished quality-of-life. Although not all individuals with CFS/ME experience chronic pain, a prominent proportion do.
For those with comorbid CFS/ME and chronic pain, interventions targeting the management of multiple symptoms may be particularly important.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Chronic Pain Prevalence, Characteristics, and Impact in United States Adults With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
- Creators
- Jenna L Adamowicz - VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemZoe Sirotiak - Iowa State UniversityDora Lendvai - VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemEmily B K Thomas - University of IowaBrian C Lund - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemMary A Driscoll - VA Connecticut Healthcare SystemKatherine Hadlandsmyth - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pain management nursing, Vol.27(1), pp.e49-e55
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pmn.2025.10.006
- PMID
- 41173685
- NLM abbreviation
- Pain Manag Nurs
- ISSN
- 1524-9042
- eISSN
- 1532-8635
- Publisher
- ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/30/2025
- Date published
- 02/2026
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Nursing; Anesthesia; Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Record Identifier
- 9985024148202771
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