September 11, 2023 – A latest blood test enables highly accurate diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, providing for the primary time an objective option to discover this sometimes disabling condition that's estimated to affect as much as 2.5 million people within the United States.
A research team led by the University of Oxford compared the test results of 61 individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome, 21 individuals with multiple sclerosis and 16 individuals with no known health problems. They found that the brand new test is 91% accurate, in response to results published within the journal. Higher ScienceIn addition, the test can distinguish between mild, moderate and severe cases of the disease in 84% of cases.
Currently, chronic fatigue syndrome is so difficult to diagnose that an estimated 9 out of 10 victims don't even know they've it. The current process for diagnosing the disease involves self-reporting of symptoms, questionnaire responses, and other subjective measures.
The latest test uses artificial intelligence to investigate vibrations in a single blood cell attributable to a laser. The technology used is known as Raman spectroscopy and might “examine individual cells,” the authors write.
The reason behind chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, so CDCWhile fatigue lasting greater than 6 months is the major symptom, difficulty pondering and sleeping, muscle pain, and sensitivity to light may occur. Sufferers may experience worsening of symptoms when attempting to perform normal day by day activities or sit or stand upright. Some victims are confined to bed for various lengths of time, making it difficult or not possible for them to work, go to high school, or take part in family activities.
About 7 out of 10 individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome are women, and in about 3 out of 4 cases, an infection of some kind was reported before the onset of the disease.
The researchers wrote that the brand new test could help distinguish between other conditions with similar symptoms, akin to fibromyalgia, Lyme disease and long COVID.