The ME Association supports the robust reply from Dr Wüst and colleagues that is in response to a letter that highly criticises the findings of their research study ‘Muscle abnormalities worsen after post-exertional malaise in long COVID'
In that response, Appelman et al refutes the contents of the letter from Ranque et al and their incorrect interpretation of the research findings – as stated within the response in the first paragraph:
We thank Ranque et al. for their interest in our recent work and alternative interpretation of our data. We refute that our findings are due to deconditioning, as Long COVID-related skeletal muscle differ fundamentally from those caused by deconditioning. We demonstrated significant physiological differences in Long COVID patients with post-exertional malaise (PEM) compared to healthy controls, even at matched physical activity levels.
Appelman et al
MEA Comment
Muscle abnormalities in Long Covid
Back in July 2024, we highlighted some new and important research from Dr Robert Wüst and colleagues in Amsterdam. The research was published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Communications. They reported on muscle abnormalities in Long Covid that may also link in to what we know about muscle abnormalities in ME/CFS.
ME Association and Guardian coverage here:
This research has now been criticised in a letter to Nature Communications by a group of psychiatrists and physicians who include Professors Michael Sharpe and Trudie Chalder and Dr Paul Garner.
Among the sources used in support of the case they are making is the seriously flawed Cochrane review of exercise therapy for ME/CFS.
Dr Robert Wüst and colleagues have provided a robust reply (see button below):
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
