In the News
Keep up to date with the latest news articles from around the world.
Articles represent the views of their authors and not ME/CFS SA. Always seek advice from a registered health practitioner before changing your care plan.
10 March, 2024
Occult Endocrine Disorders Newly Diagnosed In Patients With Post-COVID-19 Symptoms
Determination of long COVID requires ruling out alternative diagnoses, but there has been no report on the features of alternative diagnoses. This study was a single-center retrospective study of outpatients who visited our clinic between February 2021 and June 2023 that was carried out to determine the characteristics of alternative diagnoses in patients with post-COVID-19 symptoms. In a total of 731 patients, 50 patients (6.8%) were newly diagnosed with 52 diseases requiring medical intervention, and 16 (32%) of those 50 patients (2.2% of the total) were considered to have priority for treatment of the newly diagnosed disorders over long COVID treatment. The proportion of patients with a new diagnosis increased with advance of age, with 15.7% of the patients aged 60 years or older having a new diagnosis. Endocrine and metabolic diseases and hematological and respiratory diseases were the most common, being detected in eight patients (16%) each. Although 35 of the 52 diseases (67%) were related to their symptoms, endocrine and metabolic diseases were the least associated with specific symptoms. Other disorders that require attention were found especially in elderly patients with symptomatic long COVID. Thus, appropriate assessment and differentiation from alternative diagnoses are necessary for managing long COVID.
10 March, 2024
Unravelling Shared Mechanisms: Insights From Recent ME/CFS Research To Illuminate Long COVID Pathologies
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic illness often triggered by an initiating acute event, mainly viral infections. The transition from acute to chronic disease remains unknown, but interest in this phenomenon has escalated since the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-COVID-19 illness, termed ‘long COVID’ (LC). Both ME/CFS and LC share many clinical similarities. Here, we present recent findings in ME/CFS research focussing on proposed disease pathologies shared with LC. Understanding these disease pathologies and how they influence each other is key to developing effective therapeutics and diagnostic tests. Given that ME/CFS typically has a longer disease duration compared with LC, with symptoms and pathologies evolving over time, ME/CFS may provide insights into the future progression of LC.
10 March, 2024
Insight Into Mechanisms Of ME/CFS
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) involves debilitating fatigue, intolerance to exercise, and cognitive problems. Symptoms tend to get worse after even mild exertion. The cause remains unknown, hampering development of treatments. ME/CFS often develops after an infection—a condition known as post-infectious-ME/CFS (PI-ME/CFS). A research team led by NIH’s Dr. Avindra Nath conducted an in-depth study of 17 people with PI-ME/CFS and 21 healthy volunteers. Their aim was to uncover key features that might be driving PI-ME/CFS. Results appeared in Nature Communications on February 21, 2024.
09 March, 2024
Funding Awarded For Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Research
Two of La Trobe University’s leading Myalgic Encephalomyelitis researchers were awarded grants worth $720,000 to conduct further studies into the condition. The funding from the Mason Foundation, announced today, will help find solutions to ME, also referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome.
09 March, 2024
Study Shows An Increase In Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following COVID-19 Pandemic
Study findings suggest that biomarkers could provide greater insight into different disease mechanisms and how treatments options could be more beneficial for certain patients.
09 March, 2024
The Blood Holds Clues To Understanding Long COVID
The search for biomarkers could eventually lead scientists to tests and treatments.
08 March, 2024
A Blood Test Will Diagnose Fibromyalgia More Reliably
A pioneering technique that a Universitat Rovira i Virgili, University of Ohio and University of Texas researcher team has helped to develop enables this chronic disease to be identified more quickly and precisely.
08 March, 2024
Stanford Study Links COVID-19 Infection To Increased Alcohol Sensitivity
Stanford University research suggests a potential link between COVID-19 and heightened alcohol sensitivity, unveiling a novel aspect of long COVID symptoms.
08 March, 2024
Break-In At Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation: Cash Register, Donation Jar Stolen
The Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation experienced a significant loss due to a break-in at their Aldergrove warehouse, urging community and law enforcement support.
07 March, 2024
Rheumatology Month In Review: February 2024
Recent research has demonstrated the significant impact of cognitive dysfunction on the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia. While first article emphasizes how patients express their experiences of cognitive dysfunction in online support groups, the second explores the link between fibromyalgia, sleep disturbance, and poor accuracy for divided attention, underlining the importance of addressing psychosocial factors, including sleep disturbance, to understand cognitive performance differences in this patient population.
