People with chronic fatigue syndrome can take years to receive a formal diagnosis, but they are a favored minority.experts suggest up to 91 percent The percentage of people in the United States who live undiagnosed and without medical assistance because of a disease that robs them of their energy, intelligence, and carefree lifestyle.
But these statistics could eventually improve if newly developed diagnostic tests withstand rigorous scrutiny.
A team of scientists led by the University of Oxford has presented preliminary results of a blood cell-based test that can distinguish between unaffected people and those with chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) with 91 per cent accuracy. Announced. .
“Development of a simple test with the potential for early diagnosis” [of ME/CFS is] This is an important goal,” Jiabao Xu and colleagues said. write In an open access, peer-reviewed paper.
“Early diagnosis allows patients to manage their condition more effectively, especially when such blood tests reveal changes over time. “This may lead to new discoveries in development,” the researchers said.
Blood tests distinguish between the characteristics of a type of blood cell called peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in ME/CFS patients and non-ME/CFS patients using a technique called PBMCs. Raman spectroscopy and artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Previous research suggested PBC of ME/CFS patients includes: Decline in energy function; this result is consistent with the emerging theory that this condition is an impediment to energy production.
lay the foundation their pilot studyand the the study Suggesting that PBMCs are deranged in ME/CFS, Xu et al. tested their diagnostic approach in about 100 people. The participants included 61 patients with ME/CFS, 16 healthy controls, and 21 patients with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease with many symptoms similar to ME. /CFS.
If blood tests can distinguish between ME/CFS patients and MS patients, as well as healthy people, blood tests can be used to differentiate ME/CFS from other diseases such as fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, and chronic Lyme disease. This may be a sign that it is possible. COVID.
The research team profiled more than 2,000 cells across 98 patient samples and analyzed molecular vibrations in single cells. The resulting spectrum is very similar to that used by astronomers to observe Earth. chemical composition of starsreflecting changes in intracellular levels. metabolite Produced when cells metabolize fuel.
Xu et al. observed clear metabolic differences between ME/CFS patients and two control groups.
Applying an AI algorithm, the test was able to accurately classify 91 percent of patients and also differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe ME/CFS patients with 84 percent accuracy.
Further studies to validate the findings in larger cohorts will take some time. Xu and colleagues hope their method can overcome problems other teams have encountered with sample processing. However, single-cell Raman spectroscopy is not readily available in accredited diagnostic laboratories.
Similar blood cell-based tests using different analytical techniques have shown promise so far. In 2019, scientists at Stanford University published the results of a pilot study of the trial. Analysis of PBMCBut no progress has been made since then. (Members of the Stanford University team are continue research In ME/CFS. )
Meanwhile, countless people living with ME/CFS are in desperate need of a diagnosis and sound evidence-based treatment options.
“ME/CFS is still viewed with skepticism by many. [medical professionals] There is no effective treatment or clear pathology,” Xu and colleagues said. Note.
Let’s hope that what studies like this point out will change things soon. detectable biological changes My energy is limited and I am in a life-altering condition.
This study cutting edge science.
