Post-exertional malaise among people with long COVID compared to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Original Citation
Vernon S,
Hartle M,
Sullivan K,
Bell J,
Abbaszadeh S,
Unutmaz D,
Bateman L.
Post-exertional malaise among people with long COVID compared to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Work. 2023;74(4):1179-86.
Keywords
JGM, Humans, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic, Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome, COVID-19, Surveys and Questionnaires
JAX Source
Work. 2023;74(4):1179-86.
ISSN
1875-9270
PMID
36911963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-220581
Grant
The Long COVID survey was funded by donations made to Bateman Horne Center. The ME/CFS study was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (1U54NS105539). The funding sources had no involvement in the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Long COVID describes a condition with symptoms that linger for months to years following acute COVID-19. Many of these Long COVID symptoms are like those experienced by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine if people with Long COVID experienced post-exertional malaise (PEM), the hallmark symptom of ME/CFS, and if so, how it compared to PEM experienced by patients with ME/CFS.
METHODS: A questionnaire that asked about the domains of PEM including triggers, experience, recovery, and prevention was administered to 80 people seeking care for Long COVID at Bateman Horne Center. Their responses were compared to responses about PEM given by 151 patients with ME/CFS using chi-square tests of independence.
RESULTS: All but one Long COVID respondent reported having PEM. There were many significant differences in the types of PEM triggers, symptoms experienced during PEM, and ways to recover and prevent PEM between Long COVID and ME/CFS. Similarities between Long COVID and ME/CFS included low and medium physical and cognitive exertion to trigger PEM, symptoms of fatigue, pain, immune reaction, neurologic, orthostatic intolerance, and gastrointestinal symptoms during PEM, rest to recover from PEM, and pacing to prevent PEM.
CONCLUSION: People with Long COVID experience PEM. There were significant differences in PEM experienced by people with Long COVID compared to patients with ME/CFS. This may be due to the newness of Long COVID, not knowing what exertional intolerance is or how to manage it.