Summary
| Direction in ME/CFS | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Mitochondrial |
| Also described as | OXPHOS |
| Compared against | HC (healthy controls) |
| Associated symptoms | Fatigue, reduced exercise capacity |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Holden et al. 2020 — doi:10.1186/s12967-020-02477-4 |
| Condition atlas | ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Mitochondrial Respiration (1 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency as an outcome
- NCT05618574: Nitrite Supplementation in Long COVID Patients (Completed)
Outcome measure: Mitochondrial Respiration
Related Mitochondrial markers in ME/CFS
Full list: ME/CFS Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency high or low in ME/CFS?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in ME/CFS than in healthy controls. Source: Holden et al. 2020.
What symptoms is Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency associated with in ME/CFS?
The cited literature associates this marker with Fatigue, reduced exercise capacity. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency result diagnostic of ME/CFS?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of ME/CFS. Oxidative phosphorylation efficiency findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from me-cfs.json · Browse: ME/CFS atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.