New study results on the incidence of ME/CFS after SARS-CoV-2 infection

After being infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, some of the patients develop myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).  This disease is typically characterised by severe fatigue, which impairs day-to-day functioning severely and in some cases leaves the patients in need of care. Viral infections are a known causative agent of ME/CFS.

The RECOVER Initiative has now analysed data of total 11,785 people who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, and has published this data in the Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM). The analysis has revealed that: Around 5 out of 100 people were still suffering from severe physical and mental fatigue 6 months after the infection and met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Around 40 out of 100 people had symptoms similar to ME/CFS or fulfilled at least one criterion for ME/CFS. In contrast, approximately 56 out of 100 people reported no symptoms that were typical of ME/CFS. It should be noted that the data is based on self-assessments by those affected and may therefore reflect subjective variations.

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) was reported as the most common ME/CFS symptom. In PEM, symptoms worsen after physical or mental activity. Nearly a quarter of the total people previously infected by SARS-CoV-2 were reported to be affected.