A landmark NIH study published in Nature Communications reveals distinct differences in the bodies of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) compared to those without it, shedding light on the biological causes of the condition. The study found differences in brain function and the immune system, offering potential insights for future treatments. However, the study took years to complete, partly due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more research is needed before treatments can be developed. Participants hope the study will lead to validation of ME/CFS and expedited treatment trials, as the condition significantly impacts their quality of life.
As of March 2023, an estimated 1.7 million people in the UK are living with long Covid symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks, with almost 400,000 experiencing significant impact on their daily activities. Rates of recovery after 12 weeks are slow, and the chance of developing long Covid was highest for those infected in 2020. Long Covid is associated with increased health service use and a growing number of people out of work due to chronic sickness. Research has identified distinct serum biomarkers associated with different clusters of symptoms, allowing for potential treatments to be designed. However, there is a lack of trials evaluating treatments for long Covid, with a perception that it is "too early" for randomized controlled trials. The impact of long Covid should have been factored into pandemic response and policy decisions, and consideration of post-viral syndromes should be included in responses to future pandemics.
