Review Autoimmunity’s enigmatic role: exploring the connection with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome,2024, Batham, Marshall-Gradisnik et al

https://bmcimmunol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12865-024-00657-5

Autoimmunity’s enigmatic role: exploring the connection with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

• Jacob Batham,
• Jessica Dwyer,
• Natalie Eaton-Fitch &
• Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

BMC Immunology volume 25, Article number: 62 (2024) Cite this article

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Abstract

Background
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complicated, heterogeneous condition distinguished by post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion and multisystem symptoms. Its complexity poses challenges for physicians, researchers and those inflicted by its presence. Due to conflicting evidence and limiting consensus, the association and contribution autoimmunity serves in the pathophysiology or aetiology of ME/CFS is yet to be confirmed. This systematic review synthesises the currently available data to clarify the role autoimmunity has in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and explore the therapeutic limitations.

Methods
This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Full-text articles containing the primary key terms “Autoimmunity/Autoimmune” and “ME/CFS” were included provided their suitability to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results
Ten publications investigating the role of autoimmunity in ME/CFS were examined. One investigated the role of cytokine signalling; Three investigated the genetic nature of autoimmunity in ME/CFS patients; One examined the immune lineage of ME/CFS patients; Six investigated the presence and role of autoantibodies in ME/CFS patients.

Conclusion
The findings generated from this systematic review highlight inconsistent and insufficient evidence to classify ME/CFS as an autoimmune disease. Additionally, it further emphasises the complexity of ME/CFS and highlights the challenges in distinguishing autoreactivity from deregulatory processes. Future research is urgently needed to advance the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies.

 

Funny that. A single search of myalgic encephalomyelitis and autoantibodies raised for me 198 publications. And that wasn't looking for CFS.

Isn't deregulation something governments do to reduce red tape?

 

They seem to have used quite limited inclusion criteria based on certain terms appearing in the title and/or abstract.

Perhaps we need more red tape so that such basic grammar mistakes do not pass the writing, peer review and publication stages.