Scientists in the UK say they have developed the world’s first accurate blood test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The condition currently has no definitive diagnostic test, leaving many patients undiagnosed for years.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia and Oxford Biodynamics analyzed blood samples from 47 people with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy volunteers, identifying a unique DNA-folding pattern that could serve as a biological marker for the illness. Published in the Journal of Translational Medicine on October 8, the study reports a 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity rate.
Experts not involved in the research, however, have urged caution, saying the test must be validated through larger, independent studies before it can be used in clinical settings.
CFS is a debilitating illness that results in extreme, long-term exhaustion that isn’t fully relieved by sleep or rest. It’s tricky to diagnose because fatigue is a side effect of many other illnesses that need to be ruled out first. CFS still isn’t fully understood and we can only speculate as to the cause. This has resulted in many patients suffering stigma and being told it’s all in their heads, although the most recent research leans heavily towards a physiological cause rather than a psychological one.
Curious to know more? Click through this gallery to learn the key facts about chronic fatigue syndrome.