According to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the United States, there may well be a genetic reason why some people develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
CFS is a complex and debilitating disorder and is often so hard to diagnose that some experts have questioned if it is in fact a real illness.
The researchers identified certain common genetic traits or gene profiles in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and their findings suggest that there is a genetic basis for the disorder.
People with the condition experience profound fatigue and no amount of sleep, bed rest or relaxation appears to help but physical or mental activity often make the patient feel worse.
CFS is also known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and becomes apparent when a significant loss of the ability to function as normal is noticed.
CFS patients commonly suffer from the condition for years.
According to senior researcher, Dr. William Reeves, they have discovered the first credible evidence of a biological basis for CFS.
Dr. Reeves says the genetic make-up of the body is related to the ability to adapt to the challenges and stresses that happen in life such as infections, trauma and adverse events.
In the study, the CFS Computational Challenge, or C3, 227 patients, all with CFS, were evaluated over a two day period, their blood and urine samples were tested and in total 20,000 genes were examined.