ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2795 studies

1161–1180 of 2,795 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytokine network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hornig, M, Gottschalk, G, Peterson, D L et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2016

Researchers examined fluid from around the spine (cerebrospinal fluid) in ME/CFS patients and compared it to healthy people and those with multiple sclerosis. They found that ME/CFS patients had unusual patterns of immune proteins called cytokines in this fluid, suggesting their immune system in the brain and spinal cord is activated differently. The most notable finding was higher levels of a protein called eotaxin, which typically helps recruit immune cells involved in allergic responses.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Electroencephalogram characteristics in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wu, Tong, Qi, Xianghua, Su, Yuan et al.·Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment·2016

Researchers used brain wave recordings (EEG) to study electrical activity in the brains of ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. They found that ME/CFS patients had reduced brain activity with certain wave patterns being more prominent, particularly in specific regions of the brain. This suggests that ME/CFS affects how the brain's electrical system functions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia.

Meeus, Mira, Ickmans, Kelly, Struyf, Filip et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2016

This study compared people with ME/CFS to people with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers to see how sick they were and how well they could function. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had worse physical abilities (like muscle strength and recovery), more severe symptoms, lower quality of life, and more difficulty with daily activities. They also discovered that when ME/CFS patients also had fibromyalgia (widespread pain), their overall symptom burden was much greater.

DiagnosticsCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Association of biomarkers with health-related quality of life and history of stressors in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Fenouillet, Emmanuel, Vigouroux, Aude, Steinberg, Jean Guillaume et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2016

This study examined blood markers and muscle function in 36 ME/CFS patients compared to 11 healthy controls to understand whether biological changes relate to symptoms and quality of life. Researchers found three key differences: problems with muscle response to exercise, increased oxidative stress (cellular damage), and changes in immune cells. These biomarkers correlated with how much ME/CFS affected patients' daily lives, especially in those whose illness started after a severe infection.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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 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 requiredCase-Control

Genetic evaluation of AMPD1, CPT2, and PGYM metabolic enzymes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maltese, P E, Venturini, L, Poplavskaya, E et al.·Genetics and molecular research : GMR·2016

This study looked at three genes that help muscles produce energy during physical activity. The researchers compared these genes in 17 patients with ME/CFS and 50 healthy people to see if differences in these genes might explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue after exertion. The study found no significant genetic differences between the two groups, suggesting these particular genes are not responsible for causing ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

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 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 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Housebound versus nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pendergrast, Tricia, Brown, Abigail, Sunnquist, Madison et al.·Chronic illness·2016

This study compared ME/CFS patients who are severely ill and mostly confined to their homes with those who are less severely affected and can leave home. Researchers found that the housebound group—about 1 in 4 patients—experienced much worse physical functioning, fatigue, pain, brain fog, sleep problems, and other symptoms compared to the less severely ill group. Understanding these differences can help doctors and researchers better tailor treatments for the most severely affected patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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 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 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 unclearCross-Sectional

Reductions in circulating levels of IL-16, IL-7 and VEGF-A in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Landi, Abdolamir, Broadhurst, David, Vernon, Suzanne D et al.·Cytokine·2016

Researchers measured 34 different immune system proteins in blood samples from 100 ME/CFS patients and 79 healthy controls. They found that three specific immune proteins—IL-16, IL-7, and VEGF-A—were significantly lower in ME/CFS patients. This pattern was different from what is seen in other chronic diseases with similar fatigue symptoms, suggesting it may be unique to ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Validation of the qi blood yin yang deficiency questionnaire on chronic fatigue.

Kim, Jihye, Ku, Boncho, Kim, Keun Ho·Chinese medicine·2016

This study tested a questionnaire designed to identify different patterns of chronic fatigue based on Traditional Korean Medicine concepts (qi, blood, yin, and yang imbalances). Researchers gave the questionnaire to 129 people with chronic fatigue and found that it reliably distinguished between different types of fatigue patterns. The questionnaire may help doctors better understand what kind of fatigue a patient has.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

How do women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis rate quality and coordination of healthcare services? A cross-sectional study.

Hansen, Anne Helen, Lian, Olaug S·BMJ open·2016

This study asked 431 Norwegian women with ME/CFS to rate how satisfied they were with their healthcare. Most women (about 60%) said their primary care doctors provided poor quality care, while slightly fewer (about 48%) rated specialist care as poor. Nearly 3 out of 4 women felt that different healthcare services weren't well coordinated with each other. Women who felt sicker overall and those with more severe ME/CFS symptoms were more likely to report poor care quality.

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

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Cytokine network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Electroencephalogram characteristics in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia.

Association of biomarkers with health-related quality of life and history of stressors in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years.

Long-term methylphenidate intake in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Genetic evaluation of AMPD1, CPT2, and PGYM metabolic enzymes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

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

Housebound versus nonhousebound patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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.

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.

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

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

Reductions in circulating levels of IL-16, IL-7 and VEGF-A in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Validation of the qi blood yin yang deficiency questionnaire on chronic fatigue.

How do women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis rate quality and coordination of healthcare services? A cross-sectional study.

Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.

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