Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome strongly interlinked

Study results showed the immune system activity of six Long COVID patients one year after a COVID-19 infection was dramatically different from five healthy controlled-group study participants, reflecting a chronic dysfunctional state.

Data gathered from those patients was found to be similar to data gathered from a group of nine diagnosed ME/CFS patients, who had suffered the condition for 16 years on average.

The study reinforces the researchers’ previously published model in Frontiers of Neurology to explain the complex dysfunctional physiology for both ME/CFS and Long COVID: In susceptible people (determined by their health history and genetic background), the normal transitory immune/inflammatory response of the peripheral nervous system to infection or stress does not resolve quickly as in most people.

“It highlights within our community there are significant numbers of people debilitated now with disrupted immune systems, dysfunctional energy production, and disturbed brain regulation of their overall physiology that severely disrupts their family lives, ability to work and participate in their communities long-term, and that these people need support from all levels of society.”

Reference: Strong links found between Long COVID and ME/CFS: Otago study; Scientific Reports; DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-49402-9