ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

1401–1420 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Is chronic fatigue syndrome in older patients a different disease? -- a clinical cohort study.

Lewis, Ieuan, Pairman, Jessie, Spickett, Gavin et al.·European journal of clinical investigation·2013

This study compared ME/CFS symptoms and nervous system function in older patients (age 50+) versus younger patients (ages 16-29). Researchers found that older patients experienced more severe fatigue and depression, along with greater imbalance in their autonomic nervous system—the system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions. The results suggest that ME/CFS may present differently and more severely in older adults.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue and personality: a twin study of causal pathways and shared liabilities.

Poeschla, Brian, Strachan, Eric, Dansie, Elizabeth et al.·Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine·2013

This study looked at whether personality traits like emotional stability and sociability are connected to chronic fatigue and ME/CFS. Researchers studied 245 pairs of twins and found that people who are more emotionally unstable tend to have more chronic fatigue, while people who are less outgoing also experience more fatigue. Interestingly, emotional instability and fatigue appear to be linked through shared genes, but low sociability may actually contribute to fatigue in a way that works both directions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Daily cytokine fluctuations, driven by leptin, are associated with fatigue severity in chronic fatigue syndrome: evidence of inflammatory pathology.

Stringer, Elizabeth Ann, Baker, Katharine Susanne, Carroll, Ian R et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2013

This study tracked blood samples and fatigue reports from 10 people with ME/CFS and 10 healthy people over 25 days. Researchers found that a hormone called leptin—which controls hunger and immune function—was linked to daily changes in fatigue severity in people with ME/CFS. A computer program analyzing all measured immune markers could correctly identify high fatigue days versus low fatigue days about 78% of the time, suggesting the immune system plays a real role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Early-life hygiene-related factors affect risk of central nervous system demyelination and asthma differentially.

Hughes, A-M, Lucas, R M, McMichael, A J et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2013

This study looked at whether early childhood experiences—like having siblings and attending childcare—affect the risk of developing central nervous system demyelination (a condition where the protective coating around nerve fibers becomes damaged). Researchers compared adults with demyelination to healthy controls and found that having younger siblings appeared to protect against demyelination, while the number of older siblings affected asthma risk differently. Interestingly, people with demyelination were more likely to also have chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The process of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: which changes in perpetuating cognitions and behaviour are related to a reduction in fatigue?

Heins, Marianne J, Knoop, Hans, Burk, William J et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study looked at how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) helps reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients by tracking what changes during treatment. Researchers followed 183 patients over 18 weeks, measuring fatigue and factors like sense of control, symptom focus, activity levels, and physical functioning. They found that gaining a better sense of control over fatigue, doing more activity, improving physical functioning, and thinking less about symptoms were linked to fatigue improvement—explaining about 20-46% of the fatigue reduction.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Health and identity: Self-positioning in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Fuchs, Coralie E, van Geelen, Stefan M, van Geel, Rolf et al.·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2013

This study looked at how teenagers with ME/CFS and teenagers with juvenile arthritis see themselves and their health. Researchers found that teenagers with ME/CFS tend to view themselves more negatively—focusing on being tired and unwell—while teenagers with arthritis tend to see themselves as strong and healthy despite physical problems. The study suggests that how young people think about themselves during this important developmental period may affect their long-term wellbeing.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Internet-based therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up.

Nijhof, Sanne L, Priesterbach, Loudy P, Uiterwaal, Cuno S P M et al.·Pediatrics·2013

This study followed adolescents with ME/CFS for nearly 3 years after they completed an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy program called FITNET. About 59% of teenagers had recovered from their illness by the end of the follow-up period, and most of those who improved right after treatment stayed better. Interestingly, teens who received standard care also recovered at similar rates over time, though it took longer.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A case-control study on the association between rheumatoid arthritis and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Keller, Joseph J, Liu, Shih-Ping, Lin, Herng-Ching·Neurourology and urodynamics·2013

This study looked at whether people with rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation) are more likely to have bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC, a chronic bladder condition). Researchers compared nearly 9,300 people with BPS/IC to over 46,000 people without it, using insurance records from Taiwan. They found that people with BPS/IC were about 1.7 times more likely to have a history of rheumatoid arthritis than those without BPS/IC, even after accounting for other health conditions.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Role of childhood adversity in the development of medical co-morbidities associated with bipolar disorder.

Post, Robert M, Altshuler, Lori L, Leverich, Gabriele S et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2013

This study looked at whether difficult experiences in childhood (such as abuse or having parents with mental health problems) are connected to physical health problems in adults with bipolar disorder. Over 900 adults answered questions about their childhood and their current medical conditions. The researchers found that people who experienced more childhood adversity tended to have more medical problems as adults, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and several other conditions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Association of monoamine-synthesizing genes with the depression tendency and personality in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Fukuda, Sanae, Horiguchi, Mieko, Yamaguti, Kouzi et al.·Life sciences·2013

This study looked at whether specific genetic variations in two genes (GCH and TH) that help make important brain chemicals were linked to ME/CFS. Researchers compared DNA from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls and gave patients personality and fatigue questionnaires. They found that while these genetic variations weren't directly connected to developing ME/CFS, certain variations were associated with specific personality traits—like how perfectionist or cautious someone tends to be.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical characteristics of a novel subgroup of chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Lewis, I, Pairman, J, Spickett, G et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2013

Some ME/CFS patients also have POTS (a condition where the heart rate and blood pressure don't adjust properly when standing up). This study found that ME/CFS patients with POTS are younger, experience less severe fatigue and depression, and have different patterns of daytime sleepiness compared to ME/CFS patients without POTS. A simple combination of two questionnaires can accurately identify which ME/CFS patients have POTS, potentially helping doctors decide who needs additional testing and treatment.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Multiscale analysis of heart rate variability in non-stationary environments.

Gao, Jianbo, Gurbaxani, Brian M, Hu, Jing et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2013

This study looked at how the heart rate patterns of people with ME/CFS differ from healthy people, especially when they're under stress. Researchers used advanced computer methods to analyze heart rate data collected during a social stress test. They found that before the stress test, people with ME/CFS had noticeably different heart rate patterns than healthy controls, but these differences became smaller during the stress test itself.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI): establishing clinically significant values for identifying central sensitivity syndromes in an outpatient chronic pain sample.

Neblett, Randy, Cohen, Howard, Choi, YunHee et al.·The journal of pain·2013

This study tested a questionnaire called the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) to see if it could help doctors identify patients with conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers believe these conditions may share a common cause: the nervous system becoming overly sensitive to pain and other stimuli. The study found that a CSI score of 40 or higher was a good way to identify patients with these central sensitivity syndromes.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The role of neuroticism, perfectionism and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome. A structural equation modeling approach.

Valero, Sergi, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Calvo, Natalia et al.·Comprehensive psychiatry·2013

This study examined whether personality traits and depression influence how severe ME/CFS symptoms are in patients. Researchers looked at 229 ME/CFS patients and tested whether neuroticism (a tendency toward negative emotions) and perfectionism affect fatigue severity, and whether depression acts as a connecting link between these traits and fatigue. They found that neuroticism appears to influence fatigue severity primarily through depression—meaning people with high neuroticism tend to develop depression, which then worsens fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Sub-typing daily fatigue progression in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jason, Leonard A, Brown, Molly M·Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England)·2013

Researchers asked 90 people with chronic fatigue syndrome to rate their fatigue levels every 30 minutes throughout one day. Using these daily patterns, they found three different groups of patients: some had constantly high fatigue that stayed the same all day, others had moderate fatigue that went up and down but got better over time, and a third group had moderate fatigue that went up and down but got worse over time. This suggests that ME/CFS affects people differently, and tracking fatigue patterns throughout the day could help doctors better understand each person's condition.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Depression in paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bould, Helen, Collin, Simon M, Lewis, Glyn et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2013

This study looked at how many young people with ME/CFS also experience depression. Researchers surveyed 542 children aged 12-18 and found that about 29% had depression—much higher than in the general population. Depression was more common in those with worse physical symptoms, higher disability, more pain, and poorer school attendance.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: complex presentations and protracted time to diagnosis.

Knight, Sarah, Harvey, Adrienne, Lubitz, Lionel et al.·Journal of paediatrics and child health·2013

This study looked at 59 young people (average age 15) diagnosed with ME/CFS at a specialist clinic in Australia to understand how the illness affects them and how long it takes to get diagnosed. Researchers found that young people typically wait over a year after their symptoms start before getting a diagnosis, and most experience significant problems with school attendance and daily activities. The most common symptoms included extreme tiredness, sleep problems, pain, and difficulty thinking clearly.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

Life course study of the etiology of self-reported irritable bowel syndrome in the 1958 British birth cohort.

Goodwin, Laura, White, Peter D, Hotopf, Matthew et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2013

This study followed thousands of people born in 1958 in the UK to see who developed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by age 42. Researchers found that women were twice as likely to develop IBS, and people who had psychological distress in their 20s and 30s were more likely to later develop IBS. Surprisingly, difficult childhood experiences were not associated with later IBS development.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Influence of symptom expectancies on stair-climbing performance in chronic fatigue syndrome: effect of study context.

Heins, Marianne, Knoop, Hans, Nijs, Jo et al.·International journal of behavioral medicine·2013

This study looked at how ME/CFS patients' expectations about getting worse after physical activity affect how they actually perform during that activity. Researchers had 49 patients climb stairs while measuring how long it took and how their heart rate changed. They found that patients who expected to feel more fatigued after climbing took longer to complete the task, even after accounting for their initial fatigue level. Worry about symptoms and catastrophic thinking about their condition appeared to play a role in these expectations.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brewer, Joseph H, Thrasher, Jack D, Straus, David C et al.·Toxins·2013

Researchers tested urine samples from 112 ME/CFS patients to see if they had been exposed to mycotoxins—toxic substances produced by mold found in water-damaged buildings. They found that 93% of patients had detectable mycotoxins in their urine, with most patients having been exposed to moldy buildings. When they tested urine from 55 healthy people with no mold exposure, none showed mycotoxins at detectable levels.

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Is chronic fatigue syndrome in older patients a different disease? -- a clinical cohort study.

Chronic fatigue and personality: a twin study of causal pathways and shared liabilities.

Daily cytokine fluctuations, driven by leptin, are associated with fatigue severity in chronic fatigue syndrome: evidence of inflammatory pathology.

Early-life hygiene-related factors affect risk of central nervous system demyelination and asthma differentially.

The process of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: which changes in perpetuating cognitions and behaviour are related to a reduction in fatigue?

Health and identity: Self-positioning in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Internet-based therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up.

A case-control study on the association between rheumatoid arthritis and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Role of childhood adversity in the development of medical co-morbidities associated with bipolar disorder.

Association of monoamine-synthesizing genes with the depression tendency and personality in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Clinical characteristics of a novel subgroup of chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Multiscale analysis of heart rate variability in non-stationary environments.

The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI): establishing clinically significant values for identifying central sensitivity syndromes in an outpatient chronic pain sample.

The role of neuroticism, perfectionism and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome. A structural equation modeling approach.

Sub-typing daily fatigue progression in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Depression in paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome.

Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: complex presentations and protracted time to diagnosis.

Life course study of the etiology of self-reported irritable bowel syndrome in the 1958 British birth cohort.

Influence of symptom expectancies on stair-climbing performance in chronic fatigue syndrome: effect of study context.

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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