A new study funded by the US government has found that prolonged Covid may be linked to an increase in cases of a condition called myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

According to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study, 4.5% of people who recover from COVID-19 meet diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS, compared with only 0.6% of people who were never infected with the virus.

These findings are part of NIH’s Recovery Initiative, which is being conducted to understand and respond to Long COVID.

The study, led by Dr. Suzanne D. Vernon of the Bateman Horn Center, analyzed data from 13,224 participants, including 11,785 people who had recovered from COVID-19 and 1,439 people who were not infected.

The results, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, highlight a significant increase in ME/CFS cases post-Covid.

What is ME/CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

ME/CFS is a complex and chronic condition that often occurs after infection. Symptoms include persistent fatigue for at least six months, worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity (known as post-exertion sickness), unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties or dizziness upon standing. ANA (orthostatic intolerance).

Many people suffering from long Covid report similar symptoms, making the link between the two conditions a matter of concern.

The study found that new cases of chronic fatigue syndrome were 15 times higher than pre-pandemic levels. Among participants who had COVID-19, the most commonly reported symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome included post-exertion malaise, orthostatic intolerance, and cognitive impairment.

Dr. Vernon and his team said these findings add to the growing evidence that infections like COVID-19 can cause chronic fatigue syndrome.

However, the study also noted some limitations, such as reliance on self-reported symptoms, exclusion of hospitalized participants, and the fluctuating nature of chronic fatigue symptoms.

According to the researchers, understanding how COVID-19 triggers the condition could lead to better treatments not only for ME/CFS but also for other chronic conditions linked to the infection.