Unloading the trunk: neurasthenia, CFS and race

Area of Science:

• Medical Humanities
• History of Medicine
• Sociology of Health

Background:

• Theories linking fatigue syndromes to technological progress in developed nations have persisted for over a century.
• This historical context has fostered a form of race thinking within discussions of fatigue.
• Neurasthenia, a precursor to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), was an early focus of these discussions.

Observation:

• This paper reviews the historical trajectory of race thinking from neurasthenia to CFS.
• The manifestation of this race thinking is examined in both lay and medical literature.
• Epidemiological data on CFS and ethnicity are analyzed to understand disparities.

Findings:

• A persistent pattern of race thinking has influenced the understanding and discourse surrounding fatigue syndromes.
• The literature reveals how societal and technological changes have been racialized in relation to fatigue.
• There is a notable underrepresentation of non-white individuals in tertiary referral clinics for CFS.

Implications:

• This work serves as a critical starting point for a necessary debate on race and CFS.
• Understanding the historical and social construction of CFS is crucial for equitable healthcare.
• Further research into the ethnic disparities in CFS is warranted to address potential biases.