Microbiome Composition Correlates to Severity of Disease

For the first time, scientists have identified a correlation between specific gut microbiome composition and a disease.

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterised by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and impaired sleep, that is challenging to diagnose and difficult to treat.

Using machine learning algorithms, the microbiome composition alone allowed for the classification of patients and controls.

Moreover, variance in the composition of the microbiomes in women with and without fibromyalgia was explained by FM-related variables more than by any other innate or environmental variable and correlated with clinical indices of FM.

These findings suggest the potential of a microbiome-based marker for earlier detection of the disease. Further investigation is needed to determine whether specific bacterial species in the gut microbiome play a causal role in the development of the various symptoms associated with FM.