People with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exhibit Similarly Impaired Vascular Function

Marie Mclaughlin; Nilihan E M Sanal-Hayes; Lawrence D Hayes; Ethan C Berry; Nicholas F Sculthorpe

doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.09.013

People with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exhibit Similarly Impaired Vascular Function

Am J Med. 2023 Oct 12:S0002-9343(23)00609-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.09.013. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Marie Mclaughlin¹, Nilihan E M Sanal-Hayes², Lawrence D Hayes³, Ethan C Berry³, Nicholas F Sculthorpe³

Affiliations

¹ Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom; School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, United Kingdom. Electronic address: M.Mclaughlin2@hull.ac.uk.
² Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom; School of Health and Society, University of Salford, United Kingdom.
³ Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

PMID: 37832757
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.09.013

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to compare flow-mediated dilation values between individuals with long COVID, individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and healthy age-matched controls to assess the potential implications for clinical management and long-term health outcomes.

Methods: A case-case-control approach was employed, and flow-mediated dilation measurements were obtained from 51 participants (17 long COVID patients, 17 ME/CFS patients, and 17 healthy age-matched controls). Flow-mediated dilation values were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance for between-group comparisons.

Results: Results revealed significantly impaired endothelial function in both long COVID and ME/CFS groups compared with healthy age-matched controls as determined by maximum % brachial artery diameter post-occlusion compared with pre-occlusion resting diameter (6.99 ± 4.33% and 6.60 ± 3.48% vs 11.30 ± 4.44%, respectively, both P < .05). Notably, there was no difference in flow-mediated dilation between long COVID and ME/CFS groups (P = .949), despite significantly longer illness duration in the ME/CFS group (ME/CFS: 16 ± 11.15 years vs long COVID: 1.36 ± 0.51 years, P < .0001).

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that both long COVID and ME/CFS patients exhibit similarly impaired endothelial function, indicating potential vascular involvement in the pathogenesis of these post-viral illnesses. The significant reduction in flow-mediated dilation values suggests an increased cardiovascular risk in these populations, warranting careful monitoring and the development of targeted interventions to improve endothelial function and mitigate long-term health implications.

Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome; Flow-mediated dilation; Long COVID; Myalgic encephalomyelitis.