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| health information | health news

New hope for chronic fatigue syndrome patients

9 May 2008

This research gives people hope that they have not had before

Sue Waddle, ME Research UK

Key facts

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
Seven subtypes of CFS were identified in the study. Type three (the mildest of all the types), type five (linked to stomach complaints and the most severe muscle weakness) and seven (the type with the most severe symptoms including pain, swollen glands, sore throat and headaches) were found only in women and subtype two - characterised by extreme tiredness after exercise as well as joint and muscle pains - was found predominantly in men.
The 'New Horizons 2008: International Conference on ME/CFS Biomedical Research' has been organised by ME Research UK (www.meresearch.org.uk) and the Irish ME Trust (www.imet.ie) to highlight the latest advances in identifying the biological origins of the disease.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) might be split into a number of distinct genetic types in the future, according to new research presented at a conference in Cambridge. It's hoped the research will eventually pave the way for new diagnostic tests and treatments for the illness, which affects about one in 200 people in the UK.

Chronic fatigue syndrome causes extreme exhaustion. Additional symptoms such as muscle and joint pain and/or memory and concentration difficulties can also arise. There is currently no diagnostic test or cure.

The new research involved a genetic analysis of 55 patients with CFS and 75 healthy blood donors. There were 88 genetic differences in CFS patients - and this enabled the condition to be divided into seven subtypes (each separated by a specific genetic pattern). Each subtype has a different severity and combination of symptoms.

Lead researcher, Dr Jonathan Kerr of St George's University of London believes viruses can trigger chronic fatigue syndrome. He told the health information team: "Our research holds the potential to allow us to narrow down the subtype of CFS - and the type of infection that has caused it - so you can then treat it with the appropriate medicine."

He said a blood test to distinguish between the subtypes is "in the pipeline". Dr Kerr also stressed that further research is needed to develop these findings.

Sue Waddle, representative of ME Research UK, told the health information team that CFS has traditionally been viewed as a psychological illness in the medical profession, which has led to frustration in patients.

"Doctors get quite frightened by illnesses that they don't understand," said Sue Waddle. "If this research increases understanding of the condition then doctors will be more confident in dealing with patients, so hopefully we can move away from the psychological aspects and concentrate on the biological."

Sue Waddle explained that to date there hasn't been a proper diagnosis and therefore no treatments for the condition. "There is now real hope for treatments in the not too distant future - this research gives people hope that they have not had before."