Published: October 31, 2009

To the Editor:

Re “A Case of Chronic Denial,” by Hillary Johnson (Op-Ed, Oct. 21), about chronic fatigue syndrome:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one million to four million people in the United States have chronic fatigue syndrome, with approximately 80 percent of these cases undiagnosed. Furthermore, the C.D.C. has indicated that chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating illness with a yearly economic impact of at least $9.1 billion.

Despite its prevalence, morbidity and economic impact, chronic fatigue syndrome ranks near the bottom in federal research funding of more than 200 diseases and conditions.

In 25 years of research on chronic fatigue syndrome, no demonstrable progress has been made in identifying objective criteria for diagnosis and treatment. Nor have physicians been properly educated to care for these patients.

The illness continues to be stigmatized as frank malingering or a nonserious psychiatric disorder. It is time for a thorough overhaul of public health policy toward this debilitating illness.

Fred Friedberg
Stony Brook, N.Y., Oct. 23, 2009

The writer is president of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.