A recent study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine has uncovered a significant link between COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition often triggered by infections. Researchers analyzed data from the RECOVER-Adult study, which followed adults recovering from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.
The study found that SARS-CoV-2 infections significantly increased the risk of developing ME/CFS. Among infected participants, 4.5% developed symptoms matching the ME/CFS diagnostic criteria six months post-infection, compared to 0.6% in uninfected controls. The most common symptom reported was post-exertional malaise, which aligns with ME/CFS diagnostic criteria.
The study identified four distinct symptom clusters among participants with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), with the most symptomatic group showing a significant overlap with ME/CFS. Most cases in this cluster fell within the severe PASC subgroup. The findings emphasize the need for early recognition, improved diagnostic criteria, and comprehensive care strategies to address this debilitating condition.
The study highlights the importance of investigating associations between COVID-19, ME/CFS, and PASC symptom clusters to guide healthcare strategies and develop targeted interventions. The results underscore a possible overlap between severe PASC and post-COVID ME/CFS, warranting further research and clinical attention.
Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250116/COVID-19-dramatically-raises-the-risk-of-developing-MECFS.aspx