Potential Blood Test Shows Promise for Diagnosing ME/CFS, But Further Research Needed
Melbourne, Australia – A new study offers a glimmer of hope for individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition frequently enough tough to diagnose.Researchers at La Trobe University have identified potential biomarkers – structural changes in chromosomes – that show promise in detecting the illness via a blood test. The findings, published recently, represent a “proof-of-concept” study, indicating the idea could work, but significant hurdles remain before a widely available diagnostic test becomes reality.
Currently, ME/CFS diagnosis relies on a complex set of criteria, often leading to delays in care and misdiagnosis. This new research explored weather measurable changes in chromosome structure could serve as reliable indicators of the condition. The study demonstrated a sensitivity of 93 percent, meaning the test correctly identified individuals with the condition. Crucially, it also exhibited a high specificity of 98 percent, indicating a strong ability to rule out false positives. Combined, these factors resulted in an overall diagnostic accuracy of 96 percent.
However, experts caution against viewing this as an immediate breakthrough. The study was relatively small, involving 47 participants diagnosed with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy controls. Furthermore, the ME/CFS group was comprised predominantly of females and individuals experiencing especially severe symptoms – specifically, being housebound – potentially skewing results due to differing activity levels.
“we certainly know a person’s sex and activity levels can influence these chromosomal changes, so this may have affected the results,” explained sarah Annesley, Senior Postdoctoral Research fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology at La Trobe University.
Several key steps are now necesary to validate and refine the findings. Researchers need to determine the extent to which sex and exercise levels impact the identified biomarkers. Larger, more diverse studies are also crucial, encompassing individuals with varying symptom severity and from diverse backgrounds.
To definitively confirm the biomarkers’ specificity to ME/CFS, comparisons with other conditions presenting similar symptoms – such as multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia – are essential. any potential diagnostic test must be affordable and accessible to patients.
Despite these challenges, the identification of potential biomarkers represents a significant first step towards improving diagnosis and ultimately, care for the millions affected by ME/CFS, a condition that remains severely underdiagnosed.
Source: Annesley, S. (2023, November 27). Can a new blood test really detect ME/CFS? An expert unpacks new research. the Conversation. https://theconversation.com/can-a-new-blood-test-really-detect-me-cfs-an-expert-unpacks-new-research-267099
