COVID-19 linked to Eightfold Increase in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Risk, Study Finds
A groundbreaking study by the University of Utah Health has revealed that COVID-19 significantly increases the risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.The research, which analyzed data from the National Institute of Health’s Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery Initiative, found that individuals infected with COVID-19 were nearly eight times more likely to develop CFS compared to those who were not infected.
The study included 11,785 patients who had contracted COVID-19 adn 1,439 who had not. Among those infected, 4.5% developed CFS, while only 0.6% of the uninfected group reported the condition. Suzanne D. Vernon, research director at the Bateman Horne Center and lead author of the study, emphasized the urgency of these findings.
“These findings highlight the urgent need for health care providers to recognize and address (chronic fatigue syndrome) as a diagnosable and treatable condition in the wake of COVID-19,” Vernon said. she added that early diagnosis and proper management could significantly improve patients’ quality of life.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by at least six months of extreme exhaustion that does not improve with rest and can worsen with physical or mental activity, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is often triggered by acute infections, such as COVID-19, and has been historically underdiagnosed and misunderstood.
The study also revealed that new cases of CFS have become 15 times more common as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Nearly 90% of these cases were linked to “the most symptomatic long COVID patients,” as stated in a U. Health press release.
Dr. Rachel Hess, associate vice president for research in health sciences at U. Health, noted that this analysis is the first to estimate the prevalence of post-viral CFS following COVID-19. She expressed hope that the findings would spur further research into this frequently enough-overlooked condition.
“This condition, which predominantly impacts women, has often been dismissed. … This paper will hopefully change the trajectory of research into this understudied condition,” Hess said.
Key Findings at a Glance
| Metric | COVID-19 Patients | Non-COVID-19 patients |
|———————————|———————–|—————————|
| Risk of Developing CFS | 4.5% | 0.6% |
| Increase in CFS Cases Post-COVID | 15x | N/A |
| Percentage Linked to Long COVID | 90% | N/A |
The study underscores the long-term health impacts of COVID-19 and the need for increased awareness and research into chronic fatigue syndrome. For more details on the study, visit the full publication.
As the medical community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the pandemic,this research serves as a critical reminder of the importance of addressing post-viral conditions like CFS. Early intervention and proper care could make a world of difference for those affected.