Descriptive statistics of those classified as CFS and those classified as non-CFS in ALSPAC at age 16 years
| Non-CFS ALSPAC 13 years | CFS ALSPAC 13 years | Difference (CFS–non-CFS) (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex (male) | 51.57% (50.72% to 52.42%) | 56.50% (45.14% to 67.85%) | 4.92% (−6.63% to 16.48%) |
| Total authorised absences* | 20.68 (20.21 to 21.15) | 31.86 (23.67 to 40.06) | 11.19 (4.01 to 18.36) |
| Total unauthorised absences* | 10.42 (9.89 to 10.96) | 15.97 (5.68 to 26.26) | 5.55 (−4.35 to 15.45) |
| Family Adversity Index (0–18) | 1.85 (−2.33 to 6.03) | 2.94 (−25.79 to 31.67) | 1.09 (−30.96 to 33.1) |
| Strength and Difficulties Score (0–40) | 7.39 (7.21 to 7.56) | 13.69 (10.71 to 16.68) | 6.30 (3.61 to 8.90) |
| Maternal age at delivery (years) | 27.98 (27.89 to 28.06) | 29.01 (27.76 to 30.26) | 1.02 (−0.23 to 2.29) |
| Maternal education (% with degree) | 12.32% (11.75% to 12.88%) | 15.88% (9.39% to 22.37%) | 3.57 (−2.64 to 9.77) |
| Non-CFS ALSPAC 16 years | CFS ALSPAC 16 years | Difference (CFS–non-CFS) (95% CI) | |
| Sex (male) | 51.81% (50.91% to 52.69%) | 44.59% (32.11% to 57.07%) | −7.22% (−19.99% to 5.54%) |
| Total authorised absences* | 20.37 (19.89 to 20.85) | 42.20 (35.09 to 49.31) | 21.83 (14.72 to 28.94) |
| Total unauthorised absences* | 10.36 (9.80 to 10.96) | 17.19 (6.49 to 27.89) | 6.83 (−3.87 to 17.53) |
| Family Adversity Index (0–18) | 1.87 (−2.35 to 6.08) | 1.95 (−18.35 to 22.25) | 0.08 (−20.22 to 20.3) |
| Strength and Difficulties Score (0–40) | 7.42 (7.24 to 7.60) | 10.34 (8.52 to 12.16) | 2.92 (1.10 to 4.74) |
| Maternal age at delivery (years) | 27.99 (27.90 to 28.07) | 28.38 (27.09 to 29.67) | 0.39 (−0.90 to 1.68) |
| Maternal education (% with degree) | 12.27 (11.70 to 12.84) | 16.81 (10.63 to 23.00) | 4.54% (−1.40% to 10.48%) |
Proportions (95% CI) for categorical variables, means (95% CI) for continuous variables. Family Adversity Index collected when the child was 8–10 years.
*Half-day sessions from a typical total of 390 sessions during year 11.
ALSPAC, Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome.