Chronic fatigue, myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome and SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Chronic fatigue can be observed as an isolated complaint, coexist with several neuro-psychiatric and chronic pain disorders, or be reported as the main symptom of the complex known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. This is a clinically heteroge-neous, multisystem disease, characterized by severe fatigue, cognitive impairment, sleep dis-turbances, and autonomic and gastrointestinal perturbations. Several viral epidemics have been related with increases in complaints of chronic fatigue and the diagnosis of myalgic en-cephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, in convalescent patients. Alterations in distinct organ systems, including exacerbations of the immune-inflammatory response, seem to play important roles in the pathophysiology of the disorder. In this regard, the elevated transmis-sibility of the SARS-CoV-2 and the strong inflammatory response of the host, triggered by the virus, could potentially lead to a significant increase in the manifestation of chronic fatigue as a symptom and in the number of cases of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Early vigilance and detection will allow for the timely diagnosis and the proper therapeutic approach.