Long COVID prevalence: A complex issue
In a series of articles, ME Research UK took a closer, unbiased look at existing estimates of long COVID prevalence, and, most importantly, the limitations of the studies that do exist which highlight just how complex the question of long COVID prevalence actually is.
Knowing the proportion of people who have long COVID is important for many reasons, such as the allocation of healthcare resources and justifying investment in research. Additionally, its prevalence is closely tied to that of ME/CFS: infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) can be associated with ME/CFS onset, and the two diagnoses share a substantial overlap in symptoms.
London Marathon 2027: Ballot closes tomorrow
Huge thanks to Phil, Rosie, Joe, Kellie, and Shirley for running last weekend’s TCS London Marathon in support of ME Research UK.
Do you know anyone who would wish to take part next year? Public ballot now open but closes 4pm tomorrow (Friday 1st May)!
Note: We do not automatically obtain a place in the London Marathon and need to apply in a separate charity ballot. We were lucky to get a place for last weekend’s race but unlucky a few years in a row before this. If we are successful, we will advertise the place on social media and so keep an eye out. The best thing to do is to apply to the main ballot – which closes soon – and then opt to fundraise for us.
Cardiff Half Marathon 2026
If you were inspired by Phil, Rosie, Joe, Kellie, and Shirley, and want to get involved in fundraising this year – ME Research UK has places at the Cardiff Half-Marathon on Sunday 4th October. Read more about how to get involved.
New Address
We have moved office!
ME Research UK has a new contact address: ME Research UK, PO Box 19691, Greenock, PA15 9FA.
Email address and telephone number are unchanged. Letters to The Gateway, Perth will get to us but please address new correspondence to our new PO Box number.
NB – Our registered office is now 6 Atholl Crescent, Perth.
Articles
Distinct peaks in age of ME/CFS onset
Research from Norway, published in 2014, suggested that ME/CFS onset is most common in two distinct age groups; between 10 and 19 years, and between 30 and 39 years. A more recent study aimed to build on this research and assess whether these distinct peaks in onset could be seen in other groups of participants with self-reported ME/CFS.
GLP-1 receptor agonists for ME/CFS?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are currently licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and for weight management in overweight/obese individuals. In a recent YouTube interview Prof. Dr. Carmen Scheibenbogen, former ME Research UK-funded researcher, discussed whether GLP-1 receptor agonists could have potential in the future management of ME/CFS.
Other topics explored in April include reaction times and ME/CFS, hydrogen water, DecodeME data, underfunding of ME/CFS research, and impact of diagnostic delays.
Blue Sunday
Blue Sunday is back – 17th May – at the end of ME Awareness Week. This special tea party was created in 2013 by Anna Redshaw to give people living with ME/CFS a fun and accessible way to connect with the ME/CFS community whilst fundraising.
It is simple to join. Just enjoy your favourite tea and cake, share photos of your tea party on social media, and make a small donation to a ME/CFS charity. Please consider supporting ME Research UK – all funds will go towards biomedical research into ME/CFS.
Walk for ME!
ME Research UK is grateful once more to be chosen as one of two research-focused charities for 2026’s Walk for ME scheme. This supportive and inclusive initiative has raised over £220,000 for research since 2012.
As Walk for ME states – “The original idea behind Walk for ME was that friends, family and loved ones of an ME sufferer do a sponsored walk on their behalf: hence the name Walk for ME or Walk for me.” Participants can do other activities such as swimming or cycling at whatever length they feel comfortable with, whenever they choose.
Details on how to get involved.
Help us make the breakthrough
We know that, as a subscriber to our newsletter and someone who is interested in our work, you join us in the belief that only robust scientific research is the key to understanding ME/CFS.
Donations from our valued supporters are vital if we are to continue our work to inform, influence and invest in ME/CFS research globally.
