Seven genetic types of ME found

[Guest guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7378440.stm

BBC NEWS

Page last updated at 23:02 GMT, Monday, 5 May

2008 00:02

UK

'Seven genetic types of ME' found

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

" It's a hard illness to get a handle on, so a

clinical test would be the single best way

forward for everyone "

Neil Abbot, ME Research UK

``````

Geneticists have identified a biological basis for

seven different subtypes of chronic fatigue

syndrome.

The researchers from St 's Hospital, University

of London, hope the work could lead to a blood test

to distinguish between the forms.

Campaigners hope it will help counter the opinion,

which remains in some quarters of the medical

profession, that it is a psychological condition.

The research findings are to be presented to a

conference in Cambridge.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, is

a condition with a diverse range of symptoms but

particularly characterised by profound muscle fatigue

after physical exertion.

In its most extreme form, CFS/ME leaves sufferers

bed-ridden. There is currently no diagnostic test or

cure.

It affects around one in 200 people.

'Biologically meaningful'

The St 's study looked at 55 patients from the

US and UK with the condition, and carried out a

genetic analysis of them and 75 healthy blood

donors.

It identified the seven distinct subtypes of CFS/ME

identified by a specific genetic pattern.

These were linked to specific symptoms.

Type one had the worst anxiety and depression

levels, along with poor sleep and high pain levels.

Type two was characterised by significant

post-exercise fatigue and joint and muscle pains,

while type three was the mildest form of the

disease.

The research identified type four as linked to

moderate levels of body pain and sleep problems,

with type five having stomach complaints and the

most marked muscle weakness.

Type six was specifically connected to fatigue, and

type seven had the most severe symptoms including

pain, swollen glands and headaches.

Type four and type six were the most common forms

of the condition.

Dr Kerr, who led the St 's research,

said: " We must now determine what these sub-types

represent, as they appear to be biologically

meaningful, and discover their natural history and

possibilities for treatment. "

Neil Abbot, of ME Research UK, which is organising

the conference along with the Irish ME Trust, said:

" The discovery of a 'thumb-print' for the illness

would be the single greatest advance that could

be made because, at the moment, diagnosis is on

the basis of a set of vague symptoms association

with other illnesses.

" It's a hard illness to get a handle on, so a clinical

test would be the single best way forward for

everyone. "