Co-Occurrence of ME/CFS and Chronic Pain Conditions

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic disease characterized by a significantly reduced ability to perform daily activities and intense fatigue that lasts for six months or more. Patients with ME/CFS also experience post-exertional, where symptoms worsen following physical, mental or emotional effort. The effects of ME/CFS are wide ranging and debilitating. Many patients also develop other conditions that cause pain, known as chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPC). 

Details regarding the prevalence and impact of ME/CFS and COPC occurring together has been difficult to find. However, a recent study examined 923 individuals with either ME/CFS or a healthy control group (HC). Compared to HCs, those with ME/CFS tended to be older, female, white, non-hispanic and not currently employed. Many reported sudden onset of illness that lasted 13 years or more.  Among  ME/CFS patients, 76% had at least one COPC, compared to 17% of controls. 

The most common COPC impacting ME/CFS patients in this study were chronic migraines/headaches, fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Patients experiencing both ME/CFS and COPCs reported more severe symptoms and greater impacts on their ability to function.

This study is valuable because it is the largest dataset currently available on the occurrence of ME/CFS with COPC and their combined impact on patients. More research is needed to understand the association and to develop treatments for these patients. 

Citation:

Fall, E. et al. (2024). Chronic overlapping pain conditions in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): A sample from the multi-site clinical assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM) study. BMC Neurology, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03872-0