A new NIH-funded study found a sharp rise in ME/CFS cases. Researchers discovered that 4.5% of post-COVID patients met ME/CFS criteria. Only 0.6% of uninfected people met the same criteria.
ME/CFS, or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is a chronic illness. It often develops after infections and affects the nervous and immune systems. The condition causes severe fatigue that worsens after activity, called post-exertional malaise. Other symptoms include brain fog, dizziness, headaches, muscle weakness, and sleep problems.
What Did the Study Find?
The study used data from the RECOVER initiative, which studies Long COVID. Dr. Suzanne D. Vernon and her team at the Bateman-Horne Center led the research. They analyzed 11,785 COVID-infected adults and 11,439 uninfected people. The study’s findings were published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
Dr. Vernon’s team found that ME/CFS cases are 15 times higher since the COVID-19 pandemic. The most common symptom is post-exertional malaise, affecting 24% of infected participants. The ME/CFS rate in COVID-infected people was 2.66 per 100 person-years. In uninfected people, the rate was 0.93 per 100 person-years. This means the risk of ME/CFS is nearly five times higher in COVID-infected individuals.
The study had some limitations. It relied on self-reported symptoms and excluded hospitalized patients. ME/CFS symptoms fluctuate, making diagnosis more difficult. Participants may not have recognized key symptoms, leading to underreporting.
More research is needed to understand why some people develop ME/CFS. Scientists hope these findings lead to better treatments for post-infection conditions.
How Are Long COVID and ME/CFS Connected?
Long COVID and ME/CFS share many symptoms, including fatigue and dizziness. Both conditions also cause cognitive issues like brain fog. Some studies suggest ME/CFS cases have grown to 5-9 million due to COVID.
However, Long COVID symptoms vary more than those of ME/CFS. The CDC defines Long COVID as lasting at least four weeks after infection. It can cause over 200 symptoms, affecting different organ systems. Some Long COVID patients lose taste and smell, a rare ME/CFS symptom.
A 2022 NIH study identified four Long COVID subgroups. One subgroup, with severe neurological symptoms, closely resembles ME/CFS.
ME/CFS is urgent to study because of its severe effects. Research shows 75% of patients cannot work. A quarter are housebound or bedridden. Some doctors say it is one of the most disabling illnesses they have seen.
Why Are ME/CFS and Long COVID Hard to Diagnose?
Doctors diagnose diseases using symptom reports and lab tests. However, ME/CFS and Long COVID have no specific diagnostic tests. Diagnosis usually comes after ruling out other conditions. This often leads to delays and misdiagnoses.
Beth Pollack, an ME/CFS expert at MIT, highlights another issue. ME/CFS and Long COVID often occur with other conditions. These include postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and small fiber neuropathy. Connective tissue disorders are also common in these patients. She recommends screening for these conditions during diagnosis.
Research comparing ME/CFS, Long COVID, and related conditions could be key. Scientists hope these studies will lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treatment.
Despite progress, researchers still struggle to understand these illnesses. ME/CFS research has historically been underfunded. More resources are needed to study its biological causes.
Conclusion
Since the emergence of COVID-19, there has been a sharp increase in ME/CFS cases. Many patients now face long-term disability with no clear treatment. More funding and research could lead to better diagnosis and care.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
