BACKGROUND: Fatigue is a common sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with many COVID-19 patients subsequently developing chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Long-term associations between COVID-19, new-onset CFS/ME, and other independent predictors such as vaccination for SARS-CoV-2, re-infection, and blood biomarkers at time of infection remain unclear. This study investigated the incidence and independent predictors of developing new-onset CFS/ME up to 4 years post SARS-CoV-2 infection in comparison to COVID- controls.
METHODS: This retrospective analysis conducted within the Montefiore Health System from February 1, 2020, to January 12, 2024 included adults without a prior diagnosis of fatigue or CFS/ME who were hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 10,667), not hospitalized for COVID-19 (n = 25,409), and non-COVID-19 controls (n = 111,301). The observation time was between 30 days and 4 years post index date. The outcome was new-onset CFS/ME. Multivariate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, assessing risk posed by SARS-CoV-2 infection, re-infection, and vaccination. Whether abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, hemoglobin, platelets, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, and temperature during hospitalization were associated with future CFS/ME risk was examined.
RESULTS: Compared to COVID- controls, the risk of developing new-onset CFS/ME was higher among both COVID-19 hospitalized (adjusted HR = 1.46 [1.07, 1.99]) and non-hospitalized patients (1.56 [1.25, 1.93]). Females (1.54 [1.27, 1.89]), patients with liver disease (1.61 [1.29, 2.00]), autoimmune disorders (1.57 [1.18, 2.08]), and anxiety disorders (1.35 [1.04, 1.74]) were more likely to develop CFS/ME (p < 0.05). Re-infection with SARS-CoV-2 was not associated with increased risk of incident CFS/ME. COVID-19 vaccination status during the initial phase of the rollout (prior to 2022) was associated with an increased risk of new-onset CFS/ME (p < 0.05). None of the blood biomarkers during acute COVID-19 were associated with new-onset CFS/ME risk (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of new-onset CFS/ME, independent of hospitalization status. Females, and individuals with autoimmune and anxiety disorders were more susceptible. These findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance and management of fatigue-related symptoms in COVID-19 survivors.
