Weigel et al. 2025 - Sustained Illness Burden in Australian ME/CFS

Full Citation:: Weigel B, Eaton-Fitch N, Thapaliya K, Marshall-Gradisnik S. Sustained illness burden over time among Australians with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. PLOS ONE. 2025;20(12):e0338433. (Weigel et al. 2025) DOI:: 10.1371/journal.pone.0338433 PMID:: 41460857 Study Design:: Longitudinal (12 months, 3 timepoints) Sample Size:: 32 pwME/CFS Key Findings::

- Median 30 symptoms at each timepoint, no significant change over 12 months
- Health status, physical health, daily/work activity most impacted
- Quality of life significantly reduced vs population norms at all timepoints
- Majority unable to maintain employment

Conclusion:: ME/CFS imposes substantial and sustained illness burden; improved disability and social support access urgently needed. Limitations:: Small sample (n=32); self-selected; longitudinal but not population-based; Australian. Certainty:: 0.55

References

Weigel, Breanna, Natalie Eaton-Fitch, Kiran Thapaliya, and Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik. 2025. “Sustained Illness Burden over Time Among Australians with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.” PLOS ONE 20 (12): e0338433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0338433.