Aims Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a complex condition of variable severity, affecting the physical and mental wellbeing young people. Triggers are recognised such as infection, physical illness or emotional distress. There has also been a link between adverse childhood events and likelihood of CFS/ME in later life. This cohort study looked at whether those with CFS have a higher incidence of parental separation, lack of contact with a parent and whether this sub-group have more severe disease at diagnosis.

Methods Retrospective analysis of the notes of 123 patients who attended a tertiary level adolescent CFS/ME service between April 2012 and April 2014 was conducted with further sub-group breakdown of those with parental separation and lack of contact with a parent with analysis on whether this group had an increase disease severity of CFS/ME at diagnosis.

Results Out of a total of 123 patients, 38% (n=45) had parents who were separated, compared with 10.6% of families nationally defined as a one parent household. Furthermore, 66% (n=32) with separated parents had lack of contact with at least one parent. Most patients in this cohort had moderate CFS at diagnosis (defined by NICE as having reduced mobility and restriction in all activities of daily living). Further sub-group analysis of those with separated parents showed no difference in severity compared to the non-separated group (p=0.69). There was no difference in disease severity for the group who lacked contact with at least one parent (p=0.51).

Conclusion Parental separation or lack of contact is not related to severity of CFS at diagnosis in this cohort. Larger cohort analysis of the demographics of those with CFS/ME is needed to attempt prediction of those who are more at risk of having severe CFS/ME, the impact of family history of CFS/ME and the impact on school attendance and bullying on severity. Further analysis of family structure and whether this impacts on response to treatment is also needed as this may help influence the structure and support of treatment.