The pivotal role of central sensitization in long COVID, fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Publication date: Jun 13, 2025

Long COVID is a condition characterized by persistent unexplained symptoms following COVID-19 infection. These symptoms are not related to another disease or organ damage and are similar to those in fibromyalgia and myslgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The similar clinical and pathophysiological features and management of long COVID, fibromyalgia and ME/CFS are explored from the unifying framework of central sensitivity syndromes. The article is based on a literature search utilizing PubMed for content published between 2021 and 1 May 2025, using search terms: long COVID, long COVID syndrome, post-COVID-19, post-acute SARS-CoV-2, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, post-exertional malaise and central sensitization. Once long COVID is redefined to exclude patients with well-defined organ disease, it fits best as a model of central sensitization. Long COVID is a single syndrome, rather than many distinct diseases. Optimal management of long COVID and similar central sensitivity syndromes should include personalized care with a primary care led-multidisciplinary team.

Concepts Keywords
Covid brain imaging
Expert central sensitization
Fibromyalgia chronic
Organ fibromyalgia
Long COVID
widespread pain

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease IDO role
disease MESH central sensitization
disease MESH long COVID
disease MESH fibromyalgia
disease MESH myalgic encephalomyelitis
disease MESH COVID-19
disease MESH infection
disease MESH encephalomyelitis
disease MESH syndromes

Original Article

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