Nepotchatykh, Evguenia, Caraus, Iurie, Elremaly, Wesam et al. · Scientific reports · 2023 · DOI
Researchers studied tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood to see if they could tell the difference between ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and people who have both conditions. They found that each condition has a unique pattern of these microRNAs, like a biological fingerprint. Using these patterns, they created a computer model that could accurately identify which condition a person has, which could help with proper diagnosis.
Accurate biomarkers could resolve the persistent diagnostic confusion between ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, leading to proper treatment and preventing inappropriate therapeutic approaches. This work provides evidence that ME/CFS is a distinct biological condition, supporting validation efforts and potentially improving recognition of the comorbid state. Such biomarkers could accelerate research into disease mechanisms and enable patient stratification for future clinical trials.
This study does not establish that these miRNAs cause ME/CFS or fibromyalgia—it shows association only. The findings require independent validation in larger, prospective cohorts before clinical implementation. The study cannot clarify whether miRNA changes reflect primary disease pathology or secondary adaptations to chronic illness.
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 →
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Primary citation
Nepotchatykh, Evguenia, Caraus, Iurie, Elremaly, Wesam, Leveau, Corinne, Elbakry, Mohamed, Godbout, Christian, et al. (2023). Circulating microRNA expression signatures accurately discriminate myalgic encephalomyelitis from fibromyalgia and comorbid conditions.. Scientific reports. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28955-9
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-nepotchatykh-2023-circulating-microrna,
author = {Nepotchatykh, Evguenia and Caraus, Iurie and Elremaly, Wesam and Leveau, Corinne and Elbakry, Mohamed and Godbout, Christian and Rostami-Afshari, Bita and Petre, Diana and Khatami, Nasrin and Franco, Anita and Moreau, Alain},
title = {Circulating microRNA expression signatures accurately discriminate myalgic encephalomyelitis from fibromyalgia and comorbid conditions.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-28955-9},
note = {PubMed: 36732593},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/nepotchatykh-2023-circulating-microrna},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/nepotchatykh-2023-circulating-microrna
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