Major Study Reveals More Severe Symptoms in Women with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Initial results from the DecodeME study have shown that women with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), tend to have more symptoms and are more likely to develop increasingly severe symptoms over time compared to men. This new research provides valuable insights into the differential experiences of men and women with CFS.
CFS is a debilitating disease that affects approximately 250,000 people in the UK, irrespective of age or socioeconomic background. One of its key characteristics is post-exertional malaise, where symptoms worsen dramatically after even minor physical activity. Other symptoms include pain, cognitive impairment (referred to as brain fog), and extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest.
The study, led by Professor Chris Ponting from the University of Edinburgh’s Institute of Genetics and Cancer, analyzed anonymous survey questionnaires from over 17,000 people with ME/CFS. The findings revealed that women reported an average of 42 symptoms, while men reported an average of 36. Brain fog, unrefreshing sleep, and muscle pain were the most commonly reported symptoms.
Moreover, participants were asked to rate the severity of their illness using guidelines from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. The study found that being a woman and having ME/CFS for more than 10 years increased the risk of experiencing severe symptoms that intensify with age.
“Our hope is that DecodeME’s genetic results will shed light on why certain groups are more susceptible to ME/CFS than others,” said Professor Ponting. The next stage of the study aims to recruit more participants and analyze at least 20,000 individual DNA samples to explore the potential genetic component of ME/CFS.
Sonya Chowdhury, the chief executive of Action for ME and chair of the study’s management group, acknowledged the significant impact of ME/CFS on women but also emphasized the importance of recognizing its impact on men. Chowdhury expressed gratitude to the 20,000 men and women who have already participated in the study.
ME/CFS remains a poorly understood condition, and there is currently no diagnostic test or cure. The medical community continues to be divided on the best approach to help patients recover or manage their symptoms. However, with ongoing research efforts like the DecodeME study, there is hope for uncovering the underlying causes and finding more effective ways to support individuals affected by ME/CFS.