Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Sarría, Leonor, Nathanson, Lubov et al. · Scientific reports · 2020 · DOI
This study looked for biological markers (tiny genetic molecules called microRNAs) in blood samples from severely ill ME/CFS patients that could help doctors diagnose the disease. Researchers found that certain microRNAs and physical characteristics of particles in the blood appeared different in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. If validated in larger studies, these findings could eventually lead to a simple blood test for diagnosis.
ME/CFS currently lacks disease-specific biomarkers, making diagnosis difficult and delayed. This research represents progress toward an objective blood test that could accelerate diagnosis and reduce the suffering caused by diagnostic odysseys. Identifying biological mechanisms through microRNA analysis also advances understanding of ME/CFS pathophysiology.
This study does not prove that microRNAs cause ME/CFS—only that they are associated with the disease. The findings require validation in independent patient populations before any clinical diagnostic test can be developed or recommended. The study also does not establish whether these biomarkers differ in mild-to-moderate ME/CFS or how they change over disease course.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Sarría, Leonor, Nathanson, Lubov, & Oltra, Elisa (2020). Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.. Scientific reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58506-5
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-almenar-prez-2020-assessing-diagnostic,
author = {Almenar-Pérez, Eloy and Sarría, Leonor and Nathanson, Lubov and Oltra, Elisa},
title = {Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
year = {2020},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-020-58506-5},
note = {PubMed: 32034172},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/almenar-prez-2020-assessing-diagnostic},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-26. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/almenar-prez-2020-assessing-diagnostic
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