Norheim, Katrine Brække, Le Hellard, Stephanie, Nordmark, Gunnel et al. · Rheumatology international · 2014 · DOI
This study looked at whether specific genetic differences might explain why some people with Sjögren's syndrome experience severe fatigue while others don't. Researchers compared the genes of 193 Sjögren's patients with high and low fatigue levels to 376 healthy people. They found hints that variations in two genes (SLC25A40 and PKN1) might be linked to fatigue, particularly severe fatigue, but the findings were preliminary and need to be confirmed in larger studies.
Identifying genetic factors underlying fatigue in Sjögren's syndrome could help explain similar mechanisms in ME/CFS, where genetic contributions to fatigue severity remain poorly understood. This work provides candidate genes for future investigation in ME/CFS cohorts and supports the biological basis of fatigue as a genetically influenced trait rather than purely psychosomatic.
This study does not prove that SLC25A40 or PKN1 variants cause fatigue—it only shows statistical associations in one population that require independent replication. The small sample size and preliminary nature of the findings mean these genes should not be considered confirmed risk factors. Association does not establish mechanism or clinical utility for diagnosis or treatment.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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