ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

1141–1160 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Support for the Microgenderome: Associations in a Human Clinical Population.

Wallis, Amy, Butt, Henry, Ball, Michelle et al.·Scientific reports·2016

This study looked at gut bacteria in 274 ME/CFS patients and found that certain bacteria may affect symptoms differently in men and women, even when they have similar amounts of these bacteria. Specific bacteria called Firmicutes (including types like Clostridium and Lactobacillus) appeared connected to neurological, immune, and mood symptoms, but the way they affected symptoms depended on the patient's sex. This suggests that sex differences matter when understanding how gut bacteria influence ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Are Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome different illnesses? A preliminary analysis.

Jason, Leonard A, Sunnquist, Madison, Brown, Abigail et al.·Journal of health psychology·2016

This study looked at whether ME/CFS might actually be two different illnesses depending on which diagnostic criteria doctors use. Researchers compared two sets of diagnostic guidelines and found that the stricter ME criteria (International Consensus Criteria) identified patients who were more severely ill and had greater functional problems than the broader chronic fatigue syndrome criteria. This suggests that the criteria doctors use to diagnose the condition can significantly affect who gets identified as having the illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives.

Jason, Leonard A, McManimen, Stephanie, Sunnquist, Madison et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2016

This study looked at 556 ME/CFS patients from three countries to understand how doctors should diagnose this condition. The researchers found that patients fall into different groups based on their symptoms: some have chronic fatigue alone, some have fatigue with other medical reasons, and some have ME/CFS with additional symptoms like problems with exercise recovery, brain fog, and sleep issues. The groups with more specific ME/CFS symptoms were significantly more disabled than those with just general fatigue.

SleepPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Reduced diversity and altered composition of the gut microbiome in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Giloteaux, Ludovic, Goodrich, Julia K, Walters, William A et al.·Microbiome·2016

This study found that people with ME/CFS have different gut bacteria compared to healthy people. The bacteria in ME/CFS patients showed less diversity and included more potentially harmful species while having fewer beneficial ones. Additionally, researchers detected signs in the blood suggesting that bacteria or bacterial components may be leaking through the gut lining, which could contribute to inflammation and symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Self-critical perfectionism predicts lower cortisol response to experimental stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kempke, Stefan, Luyten, Patrick, Mayes, Linda C et al.·Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·2016

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS who tend to be hard on themselves and set unrealistically high standards (self-critical perfectionism) have a different stress response than others. Researchers gave 41 women with ME/CFS a stressful test and measured their cortisol (a stress hormone) levels. They found that those with higher self-critical perfectionism felt more stressed mentally, but their bodies produced less cortisol in response—suggesting their stress system isn't working as well as it should.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Stressful Events in the Onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Gimeno Pi, Iraida, Guitard Sein-Echaluce, M Luisa, Rosselló Aubach, Lluís et al.·Revista espanola de salud publica·2016

This study looked at whether stressful life events might trigger ME/CFS by comparing 77 people with the disease to 77 healthy people of similar age, sex, and education. Researchers found that certain stressful experiences—like pregnancy, domestic abuse, workplace bullying, eating disorders, car accidents, money problems, and sleep disruptions—occurred more often in people before they developed ME/CFS. The study suggests that identifying these stressful events in at-risk people might help doctors recognize ME/CFS earlier.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptom-based phenotypes in two clinical cohorts of adult patients in the UK and The Netherlands.

Collin, Simon M, Nikolaus, Stephanie, Heron, Jon et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study looked at how ME/CFS symptoms vary from person to person by analyzing data from over 8,000 patients in the UK and Netherlands. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients fall into about 6 different groups based on which symptoms they experience—some have many symptoms, some mainly have pain, and others have very few symptoms beyond the core three (fatigue, brain fog, and sleep problems). Women and people who have been ill longer tended to have more symptoms overall.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing outcomes in White British and Black and minority ethnic patients after cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Ingman, Tom, Ali, Sheila, Bhui, Kamaldeep et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2016

This study looked at whether cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)—a talking therapy that helps change thought patterns and behaviours—works equally well for ME/CFS patients from Black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds compared to White British patients. Both groups showed significant improvements in fatigue, physical functioning, and ability to work or socialise after CBT treatment. Importantly, BME patients improved despite starting with more negative beliefs about their condition and more avoidance behaviours.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents.

Nijhof, Linde N, Nijhof, Sanne L, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·European journal of pediatrics·2016

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects thinking and concentration in teenagers. Researchers compared 59 teenagers with ME/CFS to 40 healthy teenagers and found that those with ME/CFS had lower scores on intelligence tests than their school grades would predict. When comparing teenagers' current test scores to their performance before they got sick, the ME/CFS group showed a significant decline, while healthy teens did not.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

Newton, Julia L, Finkelmeyer, Andreas, Petrides, George et al.·Open heart·2016

This study found that people with ME/CFS have smaller hearts and lower blood volumes than healthy people. Interestingly, these differences were not related to how long someone had been sick, suggesting the heart changes are not simply from being inactive. Patients with more severe fatigue tended to have lower plasma volume (the liquid part of blood), which might be a target for future treatment.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Loebel, Madlen, Grabowski, Patricia, Heidecke, Harald et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2016

Researchers tested whether ME/CFS patients have unusually high levels of antibodies (immune proteins) that attack nerve signaling receptors in the body. They found that about 30% of ME/CFS patients had elevated antibodies against certain receptors involved in adrenaline and acetylcholine signaling—chemicals that control heart rate, breathing, and other automatic body functions. Importantly, patients who received rituximab (a treatment that depletes B cells) and improved showed decreases in these antibody levels, suggesting a possible link between these antibodies and disease activity.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Subgroup Analysis in Burnout: Relations Between Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression.

van Dam, Arno·Frontiers in psychology·2016

This study looked at 113 people diagnosed with burnout to see if they fall into different subgroups based on their fatigue, depression, and anxiety levels. Researchers found two distinct groups that differed mainly in how severe their symptoms were, with depression being the strongest factor that separated them. The study raises important questions about whether burnout is truly a separate condition from depression or chronic fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Long-term methylphenidate intake in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Blockmans, Daniel, Persoons, Philippe·Acta clinica Belgica·2016

This study looked at whether a medication called methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) could help ME/CFS patients with concentration problems and fatigue over the long term. Researchers sent surveys to patients who had been prescribed this medication and found that about one-third of those still taking it reported significant improvement in both fatigue and concentration difficulties, and were able to work more hours.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.

Paulin, Johan, Andersson, Linus, Nordin, Steven·Noise & health·2016

This study looked at how common sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) is in the general population and what characteristics people with this condition share. Researchers surveyed thousands of people and found that sound sensitivity often occurs alongside other conditions like ME/CFS, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia. People with sound sensitivity tend to avoid loud environments and may seek medical help for their symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Mortality of people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in England and Wales from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre (SLaM BRC) Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) Register.

Roberts, Emmert, Wessely, Simon, Chalder, Trudie et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2016

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS die at higher rates than the general population. Researchers examined medical records of 2,147 people diagnosed with ME/CFS in England and Wales over 7 years and found they did not have higher overall death rates. However, the study did find a concerning increase in deaths by suicide among people with ME/CFS, suggesting that mental health support is particularly important for this group.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Regulatory T, natural killer T and γδ T cells in multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a comparison.

Ramos, Sandra, Brenu, Ekua, Broadley, Simon et al.·Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology·2016

This study compared immune system cells in people with ME/CFS, people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of certain regulatory immune cells called Tregs, while MS patients had lower levels of gamma delta T cells. The findings suggest that ME/CFS and MS affect the immune system in different ways, rather than through the same mechanisms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years.

Collin, Simon M, Norris, Tom, Nuevo, Roberto et al.·Pediatrics·2016

This study found that about 1.9% of 16-year-olds in the UK experience chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—a condition causing severe, long-lasting tiredness that lasts at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other illnesses. Girls were nearly twice as likely as boys to have CFS at this age, and young people experiencing more family stress or difficulties were at higher risk. Children with CFS missed significantly more school than their peers.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Cow's milk protein intolerance in adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rowe, Peter C, Marden, Colleen L, Jasion, Samantha E et al.·Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)·2016

This study looked at whether young people with ME/CFS often have problems digesting cow's milk protein. Researchers found that about 1 in 3 young patients with ME/CFS had milk protein intolerance, which caused stomach problems like reflux and pain. When these patients stopped eating milk products, their stomach symptoms improved and their quality of life got better.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclear

Association of mitochondrial DNA variants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms.

Hanson, Maureen R, Gu, Zhenglong, Keinan, Alon et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2016

This study looked at whether variations in mitochondrial DNA (the genetic material in the energy-producing parts of our cells) are linked to ME/CFS. Researchers compared genetic samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. While they didn't find that specific DNA variants caused the disease itself, they did discover that certain genetic variations were associated with specific symptoms and how severe those symptoms were.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Neurocognitive complaints and functional status among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Schmaling, Karen B, Betterton, Karran L·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2016

This study followed 93 patients with ME/CFS over 18 months to understand how cognitive problems (like memory and perception difficulties) and physical function change over time. Patients who had both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia reported more pain, worse physical function, and more cognitive difficulties than those with ME/CFS alone. Interestingly, pain improved over time only for the ME/CFS-only group, suggesting that having both conditions may make recovery slower and more complicated.

Cognitive Impairment

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Support for the Microgenderome: Associations in a Human Clinical Population.

Are Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome different illnesses? A preliminary analysis.

Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives.

Reduced diversity and altered composition of the gut microbiome in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Self-critical perfectionism predicts lower cortisol response to experimental stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Stressful Events in the Onset of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptom-based phenotypes in two clinical cohorts of adult patients in the UK and The Netherlands.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing outcomes in White British and Black and minority ethnic patients after cognitive-behavioural therapy.

The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents.

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

Antibodies to β adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Subgroup Analysis in Burnout: Relations Between Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression.

Long-term methylphenidate intake in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.

Mortality of people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective cohort study in England and Wales from the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Biomedical Research Centre (SLaM BRC) Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) Register.

Regulatory T, natural killer T and γδ T cells in multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a comparison.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years.

Cow's milk protein intolerance in adolescents and young adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Association of mitochondrial DNA variants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms.

Neurocognitive complaints and functional status among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research