Groundbreaking Blood Test for ME/CFS Arrives
A new blood test claims to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), with an impressive overall accuracy of 96%. Developed by researchers at the University of East Anglia, the test analyzes how DNA is folded in blood samples to detect unique epigenetic patterns associated with ME/CFS.
How the Test Works
Participants included 47 patients with severe ME/CFS symptoms and 61 healthy individuals. Using technology from Oxford BioDynamics, scientists examined the three-dimensional folding of DNA in blood cells. While the genetic code is fixed, epigenetic marks and DNA structure can shift in response to life events and disease. The study found a distinctive epigenetic signature in ME/CFS patients, enabling the test to identify patients with high accuracy.
Why This Could Change Diagnosis and Care
ME/CFS is marked by profound fatigue that isn’t relieved by rest and often lacks definitive diagnostic tests. With an estimated 400,000 people affected in the UK, many patients have faced years of uncertain diagnoses. Lead researcher Professor Dmitry Pshezhetskiy emphasised the potential impact: a simple, reliable blood test could shorten the diagnostic journey, allowing people to receive appropriate support and management sooner.
Implications for Long COVID
The team notes that post-COVID syndrome, commonly referred to as long COVID, shares overlapping symptoms with ME/CFS. They hope the principles behind this diagnostic approach could extend to long COVID, offering a concrete test for a condition that has puzzled clinicians since the pandemic began.
What Critics Say
While the findings are promising, some researchers urge caution. Professor Chris Ponting of the University of Edinburgh, who was not involved in the study, highlighted potential limitations due to differences in sex, age, and other factors between patients and controls. He stressed the need for independent validation in larger, well-designed studies before any clinical use. There are also questions about cost and accessibility if a test were to enter routine practice, with predictions suggesting a price around £1,000 per test.
Next Steps for Validation and Access
Independent replication and broader testing across diverse populations will be essential to confirm the test’s reliability. If future studies corroborate these results, clinicians could gain a powerful tool for diagnosing ME/CFS early, guiding treatment plans, and reducing the stigma associated with the condition. Regulators and private healthcare providers will likely monitor development closely to ensure safety, equity, and affordability for patients seeking answers about their debilitating symptoms.
The Bottom Line
Researchers have achieved a milestone by identifying an epigenetic pattern linked to ME/CFS and translating it into a blood test with high accuracy. While this marks a significant advance, widespread clinical adoption hinges on independent validation, cost considerations, and equitable access. If future studies align with these initial results, the test could reshape how ME/CFS—and potentially long COVID—are diagnosed and managed.
