ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2784 studies

1201–1220 of 2,784 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in women assessed with combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Olimulder, M A G M, Galjee, M A, Wagenaar, L J et al.·Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation·2016

This study used advanced heart imaging (MRI scans) to examine the hearts of 12 women with ME/CFS and compared them to 36 healthy women. The researchers found that women with ME/CFS had smaller hearts and mildly weaker heart function than the healthy controls. Some ME/CFS patients also showed signs of scarring in the heart muscle, which was not seen in any of the healthy controls.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A UK based review of recommendations regarding the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mallet, Miriam, King, Eleanor, White, Peter D·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study looked at what different organizations in the UK recommend for treating ME/CFS. Researchers compared advice from patient support groups with advice from medical doctors and textbooks. They found major disagreements: patient groups strongly recommended complementary therapies (74% vs 16% for medical sources) and pacing strategies (91% vs 50%), while doctors more strongly recommended rehabilitation therapies (94% vs 28%). These different messages may confuse patients and affect how well treatments actually work.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Comparison of the functional health limitations of Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans to Desert Shield/Storm Veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McAndrew, Lisa M, Chandler, Helena K, Serrador, Jorge M et al.·Military behavioral health·2016

This study looked at veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who developed ME/CFS (a condition causing persistent fatigue and other symptoms) and compared them to veterans from the 1991 Gulf War who also had ME/CFS. The researchers found that about 1 in 6 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans developed ME/CFS, and while their physical symptoms were similar to Gulf War veterans with ME/CFS, they experienced more mental health challenges like depression or anxiety.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Tracking post-infectious fatigue in clinic using routine Lab tests.

Harvey, Jeanna M, Broderick, Gordon, Bowie, Alanna et al.·BMC pediatrics·2016

Researchers followed 301 teenagers who had infectious mononucleosis to see who would develop chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). They found that measuring common blood tests over 2 years—including stress hormones, sex hormones, and immune cell counts—might help doctors identify which patients are at risk and confirm the diagnosis. Only 4% of the teens developed CFS, but specific blood markers showed different patterns in those who did compared to those who recovered normally.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Dry Eye Syndrome Risks in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A National Retrospective Cohort Study.

Chen, Chao-Hsien, Yang, Tse-Yen, Lin, Cheng-Li et al.·Medicine·2016

This study found that people with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome than people without fibromyalgia. Younger fibromyalgia patients (under 50) and those with sleep problems or other conditions like irritable bowel syndrome had even higher risks of developing dry eyes. The researchers used health insurance records from Taiwan to track over 25,000 fibromyalgia patients and compare them to over 100,000 people without fibromyalgia.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cognitive dysfunction in adolescents with chronic fatigue: a cross-sectional study.

Sulheim, Dag, Fagermoen, Even, Sivertsen, Øyvind Stople et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2015

This study compared thinking and memory skills in teenagers with chronic fatigue to healthy teenagers. Teenagers with chronic fatigue performed worse on tests of processing speed (how fast they could think), working memory (holding information in mind), and learning new information. These differences were not explained by depression, anxiety, or sleep problems alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Statin Use Is Associated with Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

Huang, C Y, Chung, S D, Kao, L T et al.·Urologia internationalis·2015

This study found that women who took statin drugs (commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol) were about 1.5 times more likely to develop bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) compared to women who didn't take statins. The researchers think statins may damage the protective lining of the bladder, which could contribute to this painful condition.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology.

Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Calvo, Natalia, Alegre, José et al.·Comprehensive psychiatry·2015

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to have personality disorders and mental health challenges like depression. Researchers surveyed 166 ME/CFS patients using questionnaires about their childhood experiences and current mental health. They found that about one-third had experienced childhood trauma, and nearly half had signs of a personality disorder. Importantly, emotional trauma (like neglect or abuse) was more strongly connected to personality disorders than physical trauma.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Plasma cytokine expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wyller, Vegard Bruun, Sørensen, Øystein, Sulheim, Dag et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2015

This study measured inflammation markers called cytokines in the blood of 120 adolescents with ME/CFS and compared them to 68 healthy young people. Despite CFS patients reporting significantly more fatigue and symptoms suggesting inflammation, the researchers found no differences in cytokine levels or inflammation patterns between the two groups. This suggests that the fatigue and symptoms in adolescent ME/CFS may not be caused by the type of low-grade inflammation in the blood that researchers had previously suspected.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A comparison of patients with Q fever fatigue syndrome and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with a focus on inflammatory markers and possible fatigue perpetuating cognitions and behaviour.

Keijmel, Stephan P, Saxe, Johanna, van der Meer, Jos W M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2015

This study compared people with Q fever fatigue syndrome (a fatigue illness that develops after a specific infection) with people with ME/CFS to see if they were similar. Researchers found that both groups experienced similar levels of fatigue and emotional distress, but had some differences in their backgrounds and how they thought about their symptoms. The study suggests that physical activity might play a role in fatigue for both conditions, and that treatments focusing on behavior changes could potentially help people with Q fever fatigue syndrome.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Polymorphism in COMT is associated with IgG3 subclass level and susceptibility to infection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Löbel, Madlen, Mooslechner, Agnes Anna, Bauer, Sandra et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2015

This study looked at a genetic variation in a gene called COMT that affects how the body handles stress hormones. Researchers compared 74 ME/CFS patients with 76 healthy people and found that ME/CFS patients with a specific genetic variant (Met/Met) had higher stress hormone levels, weaker immune responses to certain infections, and got respiratory infections more often. This suggests that a person's genes may influence both their stress response and infection risk in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Evidence in chronic fatigue syndrome for severity-dependent upregulation of prefrontal myelination that is independent of anxiety and depression.

Barnden, Leighton R, Crouch, Benjamin, Kwiatek, Richard et al.·NMR in biomedicine·2015

This study used advanced brain imaging (MRI scans) to examine white matter—the brain's communication wiring—in 25 people with ME/CFS and compared them to 25 healthy controls. The researchers found that in people with more severe ME/CFS, certain areas of the brain showed signs of increased myelination (the protective coating around nerve fibers), particularly in the prefrontal region. Importantly, these brain changes appeared to be distinct from depression and anxiety, suggesting ME/CFS involves unique brain differences.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Peterson, D, Brenu, E W, Gottschalk, G et al.·Mediators of inflammation·2015

Researchers tested cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord) from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see if immune chemicals called cytokines were different. Out of 27 different immune chemicals tested, they found that only one—called IL-10—was lower in ME/CFS patients. This suggests that immune system problems in the brain and nervous system may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Associations Between Cognitive Performance and Pain in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Comorbidity with Fibromyalgia Does Matter.

Ickmans, Kelly, Meeus, Mira, De Kooning, Margot et al.·Pain physician·2015

This study looked at whether pain and thinking problems are connected in people with ME/CFS, and whether having fibromyalgia alongside ME/CFS changes this relationship. Researchers tested 48 patients with ME/CFS (some with fibromyalgia, some without) and 30 healthy people on memory and attention tasks, then measured their pain responses. They found that the type of pain problem matters: in patients with both conditions, a specific pain-processing difference predicted thinking problems, while in ME/CFS-only patients, reported pain levels predicted thinking problems.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in Canada: prevalence and associations with six health status indicators.

Rusu, C, Gee, M E, Lagacé, C et al.·Health promotion and chronic disease prevention in Canada : research, policy and practice·2015

This study looked at how many Canadians have ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) or fibromyalgia, and how these conditions affect their overall health. Researchers surveyed over 59,000 Canadians and found that about 1.4% have ME/CFS and 1.5% have fibromyalgia, with some people having both conditions. People with these conditions reported significantly worse health than those without them, especially when they had other illnesses at the same time.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is associated with pandemic influenza infection, but not with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine.

Magnus, Per, Gunnes, Nina, Tveito, Kari et al.·Vaccine·2015

This large study of the Norwegian population during the 2009 flu pandemic found that people who caught the H1N1 influenza virus were more than twice as likely to develop ME/CFS afterward. However, people who received the pandemic flu vaccine did not show an increased risk of developing ME/CFS. This suggests that actually getting infected with the flu virus itself, rather than the vaccine, may trigger ME/CFS in some people.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Right arcuate fasciculus abnormality in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zeineh, Michael M, Kang, James, Atlas, Scott W et al.·Radiology·2015

This study used advanced brain imaging to compare 15 ME/CFS patients with 14 healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had less white matter (the brain's communication pathways) overall, and specific changes in fiber structure on the right side of the brain. The severity of these brain changes correlated with how sick patients felt, suggesting this could be a measurable biological marker of the illness.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional limitations in functional somatic syndromes and well-defined medical diseases. Results from the general population cohort LifeLines.

Joustra, Monica L, Janssens, Karin A M, Bültmann, Ute et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2015

This large study of nearly 90,000 people compared how much functional somatic syndromes (like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia) affect quality of life and work ability compared to well-defined medical diseases (like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis). The researchers found that people with functional somatic syndromes experience similar severe limitations in daily functioning and work as those with traditional medical diseases, challenging the idea that these conditions are less serious.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Fatigue in adults with post-infectious fatigue syndrome: a qualitative content analysis.

Stormorken, Eva, Jason, Leonard A, Kirkevold, Marit·BMC nursing·2015

This study interviewed 26 adults with ME/CFS about their fatigue to better understand what they experience. The researchers found that fatigue in ME/CFS is not just tiredness—it's a complex, all-consuming symptom that gets much worse with even small activities and is accompanied by other symptoms like brain fog and pain. The fatigue also changes throughout the day and is triggered by physical activity, emotions, stress, and sometimes things patients don't even realize are triggering it.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with migraine: A retrospective cohort study.

Lau, Chi-ieong, Lin, Che-Chen, Chen, Wei-Hung et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2015

This study found that people with migraine headaches are 1.5 times more likely to develop ME/CFS than people without migraine. The risk was even higher in older adults (age 65+), who were more than twice as likely to develop ME/CFS if they had migraines. The more frequently someone had migraines, the higher their risk of developing ME/CFS appeared to be.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome in women assessed with combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

A UK based review of recommendations regarding the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Comparison of the functional health limitations of Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans to Desert Shield/Storm Veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tracking post-infectious fatigue in clinic using routine Lab tests.

Dry Eye Syndrome Risks in Patients With Fibromyalgia: A National Retrospective Cohort Study.

Cognitive dysfunction in adolescents with chronic fatigue: a cross-sectional study.

Statin Use Is Associated with Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study.

Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology.

Plasma cytokine expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

A comparison of patients with Q fever fatigue syndrome and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with a focus on inflammatory markers and possible fatigue perpetuating cognitions and behaviour.

Polymorphism in COMT is associated with IgG3 subclass level and susceptibility to infection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Evidence in chronic fatigue syndrome for severity-dependent upregulation of prefrontal myelination that is independent of anxiety and depression.

Cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Associations Between Cognitive Performance and Pain in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Comorbidity with Fibromyalgia Does Matter.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in Canada: prevalence and associations with six health status indicators.

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is associated with pandemic influenza infection, but not with an adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine.

Right arcuate fasciculus abnormality in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Functional limitations in functional somatic syndromes and well-defined medical diseases. Results from the general population cohort LifeLines.

Fatigue in adults with post-infectious fatigue syndrome: a qualitative content analysis.

Increased risk of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with migraine: A retrospective cohort study.

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