Estimation of ME/CFS among individuals with long COVID in an Austrian online support group
Abstract
Background: Long COVID is frequently characterised by fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and post-exertional malaise (PEM), overlapping with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). International studies suggest that 13–58% of individuals with long COVID may meet ME/CFS criteria, but Austrian data are lacking. This study aimed to provide an exploratory approximation of ME/CFS within a selected Austrian long COVID online population.
Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted among individuals with self-reported long COVID recruited via an Austrian Facebook support group. ME/CFS status was assessed using items based on the Munich Berlin Symptom Questionnaire (MBSQ) and the DSQ-PEM, operationalised according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC). Sociodemographic data and functional impairment (Bell Disability Scale) were collected.
Results: Of 361 completed questionnaires, 276 datasets (76.5%) were analysed. Participants were predominantly female (67.0%) with a median age of 45 years (IQR: 38–53); 61.5% were moderately to severely functionally impaired (median Bell score: 60, IQR: 40–70). PEM was reported by 90.0% at least occasionally, and 86.2% described symptom exacerbation after minimal exertion. Pathological fatigue was present in 71.7% at least half of the time. Within this selected sample, 248 participants (89.9%; 95% CI: 85.7–92.9) fulfilled all CCC criteria for ME/CFS. CCC-positive individuals showed lower functional capacity compared to CCC-negative participants (median Bell score: 50 vs. 70).
Conclusions: Findings from this self-selected online sample suggest a high burden of ME/CFS-compatible symptoms in long COVID. Due to selection bias, no population prevalence can be inferred. Further population-based studies are needed.
Key messages: • A high proportion of individuals in a long COVID online support group fulfilled ME/CFS criteria, indicating a substantial symptom burden.
• Long COVID populations may include a substantial subgroup with ME/CFS-like symptom patterns requiring targeted clinical recognition and care.
Related
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- Online Peer Support Use Among Informal Caregivers of People Living With Alzheimer Disease or Related Dementias: National Cross-Sectional Web-Based Survey
BibTeX
@article{zach2026estimation,
title = {{Estimation of ME/CFS among individuals with long COVID in an Austrian online support group}},
author = {D Zach and T Waldhoer and R Felsinger and A Kapan},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1511},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1511},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Estimation of ME/CFS among individuals with long COVID in an Austrian online support group
AU - D Zach
AU - T Waldhoer
AU - R Felsinger
AU - A Kapan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1511
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1511
AB - Background: Long COVID is frequently characterised by fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and post-exertional malaise (PEM), overlapping with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). International studies suggest that 13–58% of individuals with long COVID may meet ME/CFS criteria, but Austrian data are lacking. This study aimed to provide an exploratory approximation of ME/CFS within a selected Austrian long COVID online population. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional online survey was conducted among individuals with self-reported long COVID recruited via an Austrian Facebook support group. ME/CFS status was assessed using items based on the Munich Berlin Symptom Questionnaire (MBSQ) and the DSQ-PEM, operationalised according to the Canadian Consensus Criteria (CCC). Sociodemographic data and functional impairment (Bell Disability Scale) were collected. Results: Of 361 completed questionnaires, 276 datasets (76.5%) were analysed. Participants were predominantly female (67.0%) with a median age of 45 years (IQR: 38–53); 61.5% were moderately to severely functionally impaired (median Bell score: 60, IQR: 40–70). PEM was reported by 90.0% at least occasionally, and 86.2% described symptom exacerbation after minimal exertion. Pathological fatigue was present in 71.7% at least half of the time. Within this selected sample, 248 participants (89.9%; 95% CI: 85.7–92.9) fulfilled all CCC criteria for ME/CFS. CCC-positive individuals showed lower functional capacity compared to CCC-negative participants (median Bell score: 50 vs. 70). Conclusions: Findings from this self-selected online sample suggest a high burden of ME/CFS-compatible symptoms in long COVID. Due to selection bias, no population prevalence can be inferred. Further population-based studies are needed. Key messages: • A high proportion of individuals in a long COVID online support group fulfilled ME/CFS criteria, indicating a substantial symptom burden. • Long COVID populations may include a substantial subgroup with ME/CFS-like symptom patterns requiring targeted clinical recognition and care.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -