New discovery 'clears name' for people with chronic fatigue

An estimated 67 million people worldwide are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome – a disease with no known cause, diagnostic test or treatment.

An estimated 67 million people worldwide are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome - Illustration: AI

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have just announced a discovery that could completely change the way medicine views chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) - a long-term, debilitating disease that has long been associated with the stereotype of being "psychological" or "lazy".

The DecodeME study (a genome-wide association study to look for genetic risk factors for ME/CFS) was based on data collected from 15,579 people who self-reported ME/CFS and 259,909 people who did not have the disease, all of European descent.

The study found eight regions of genetic code that were different in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people, and this is the “first reliable evidence that genes can determine disease risk”. The gene variants were more common in groups of patients related to the immune and nervous systems.

At least two gene regions control the body’s response to infection – consistent with the fact that many patients develop symptoms after an infectious illness. Another gene region has been found in people with chronic pain, which is a common manifestation of ME/CFS.

Researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said: "This finding is consistent with what patients have reported for decades, and will be a turning point for the field of ME/CFS research." However, he also noted that it is not possible to immediately create a test or drug treatment, but the results will pave the way for a deeper understanding of this syndrome.

According to scientists, the telltale symptoms of ME/CFS are fatigue, aches and pains and "brain fog" that worsen after even very light physical or mental activity.

The cause of ME/CFS is unknown, and there is no diagnostic test or treatment. Scientists estimate that the syndrome affects around 67 million people worldwide.

VNA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-hien-moi-giai-oan-cho-nguoi-bi-met-moi-man-tinh-20250809114840357.htm