Cyclic vomiting syndrome epidemiology and demographics

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Epidemiology and Demographics

The prevalence of the condition is not clear. Two published studies on childhood CVS suggest nearly 2% of school age children may have CVS. However, diagnosis is problematic and as knowledge of CVS has increased in recent years more and more cases are emerging. This suggests a tendency for underdiagnosis, and thus the true figure may be higher.

CVS may be related to migraine, CVS sufferers have a much higher number of first degree relatives who have migraine than is the case in the general population. Some CVS sufferers have symptoms similar to abdominal migraine, but in others the relationship is far less strong and they can't relate to migranous symptoms. Some sufferers obtain some relief from anti-migraine treatments, but they are not universally effective.

The average age at onset is 3-7 years, but CVS has been seen in infants which are as young as 6 days and in adults which are as old as 73 years (Li and Misiewicz, 2003). Typical delay in diagnosis from onset of symptoms is 2.7 - 3 years (Li and Misiewicz, 2003).

Females show a slight predominance over males; the female-to-male ratio is 57:43 (Li and Kagalwalla, 2002). CVS occurs in all races but seems to disproportionately affect whites.

Charitable organizations to support sufferers and their families and to promote knowledge of CVS exist in several countries.