A recent study has found a strong link between SARS-CoV-2 infections and chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Researchers have identified that participants who contracted COVID-19 were 7.5 times more likely to develop ME/CFS than those who remained uninfected.
The study, led by researcher Suzanne Vernon, involved 11,785 participants who had experienced COVID-19 symptoms for at least six months and 1,439 uninfected individuals. The results showed that 4.5% of infected participants met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, while only 0.6% of uninfected individuals did so.
The study’s findings support previous research linking viral infections to the development of ME/CFS. Long COVID and ME/CFS share many overlapping symptoms, leading some scientists to suspect a connection between the two illnesses.
The study’s authors suggest that understanding why some people are more susceptible to long COVID or ME/CFS could lead to new avenues for prevention and treatment. Given the rising cases of both diseases, further research is crucial to uncovering their causes and finding effective solutions.
The study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, highlights the need for continued investigation into the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infections and ME/CFS.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-has-surged-since-the-pandemic-study-reveals