Scientists have developed what they say is the first accurate blood test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
The condition, which causes severe and long-lasting exhaustion not relieved by rest, has no definitive diagnostic test. Patients are usually diagnosed through symptoms, a process that can take years and lead to frequent misdiagnosis.
Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Oxford Biodynamics (OBD) say their new blood test could change that. By studying how DNA folds in the blood, they identified a distinct molecular pattern seen only in people with ME/CFS.
The study, published in The Journal of Translational Medicine, examined samples from 47 patients with severe ME/CFS and 61 healthy adults. The test correctly identified the condition with 92% sensitivity and 98% specificity.
“This is a significant step forward,” said Prof Dmitry Pshezhetskiy from UEA’s Norwich Medical School. “For the first time, we have a simple, reliable blood test that could transform diagnosis and management for ME/CFS patients.”
Alexandre Akoulitchev, chief scientific officer at OBD, said the test uses “epigenetic markers” that change throughout a person’s life, rather than fixed genetic traits. “That’s why this approach achieved such accuracy,” he explained.
However, other experts have urged caution. Dr Charles Shepherd from the ME Association said that while the findings are promising, more research is needed to confirm whether the same DNA pattern appears across all stages and severities of the illness.
He also stressed the need to rule out similar abnormalities in other chronic conditions with overlapping symptoms.
Prof Chris Ponting from the University of Edinburgh called some of the claims “premature,” warning that the test must be validated independently before being used clinically. “Even if confirmed, it will likely be expensive — around £1,000,” he added.
Despite the uncertainty, researchers hope the discovery will pave the way for faster, more accurate diagnosis — and greater recognition of a condition that has long been misunderstood.
