ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

1521–1540 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The retrovirus XMRV is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy.

Waugh, Elspeth M, Jarrett, Ruth F, Shield, Lesley et al.·Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·2011

Researchers tested whether a virus called XMRV, which had been found in some ME/CFS patients, might cause blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. They checked blood samples from 368 patients with these cancers and 507 control samples using three different sensitive tests. The virus was not found in any cancer patient samples, suggesting XMRV is not a major cause of these blood cancers.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Measuring substantial reductions in functioning in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jason, Leonard, Brown, Molly, Evans, Meredyth et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2011

ME/CFS diagnosis requires showing that a person can do much less in work, school, social activities, or personal care than they could before becoming ill. However, doctors have struggled with how to measure this decline accurately. This study tested which questions from a standard health survey best identify real, substantial losses in functioning in ME/CFS patients, finding that questions about energy levels, physical activities, and social participation worked best.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lower whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in depression, but not in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome: another pathway that may be associated with coronary artery disease and neuroprogression in depression.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivanka, Kubera, Marta et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2011

This study looked at a protective enzyme called GPX that helps defend cells from damage in people with depression and ME/CFS. The researchers found that people with depression had lower levels of this enzyme compared to healthy people, but people with ME/CFS had normal levels. Both groups showed connections between low enzyme levels and symptoms like mood problems and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Therapist effects in routine psychotherapy practice: an account from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cella, Matteo, Stahl, Daniel, Reme, Silje Endresen et al.·Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research·2011

This study looked at whether it matters which therapist treats patients with ME/CFS when they receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Researchers tracked 374 ME/CFS patients treated by 12 different therapists in a specialized clinic and measured changes in fatigue and disability. They found that while patients improved overall, the individual therapist made almost no difference in outcomes—the patients' improvements were similar regardless of which qualified therapist treated them.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The effect of exercise cessation on non-articular tenderness measures and quality of life in well-trained athletes.

Zeller, Lior, Abu-Shakra, Mahmoud, Weitzman, Dahlia et al.·The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ·2011

This study looked at what happens to healthy athletes when they stop exercising for just one week. Researchers found that after 7 days without exercise, athletes developed increased body tenderness (similar to fibromyalgia pain) and reported lower quality of life. The findings suggest that lack of exercise might trigger symptoms similar to those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[The role of depression in cognitive impairment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Santamarina-Pérez, Pilar, Freniche, Verónica, Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco Jose et al.·Medicina clinica·2011

This study tested whether depression explains the thinking and memory problems that people with ME/CFS experience. Researchers gave 57 women with ME/CFS a variety of cognitive tests measuring attention, memory, and processing speed, then compared results between those with and without depression. The findings showed that cognitive problems were present in ME/CFS patients regardless of whether they had depression, suggesting that the brain fog and thinking difficulties are part of ME/CFS itself, not caused by depression.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Meeus, Mira, van Eupen, Inge, van Baarle, Ellen et al.·Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2011

This study tracked physical activity and daily symptoms in 67 women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women who were not very active. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients were generally less active overall, but surprisingly, on days when patients were more active, they experienced more symptoms and greater symptom fluctuations the same day and the next day. Conversely, patients had fewer symptom changes on days when they stayed more sedentary and spread their limited activity throughout the day.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateTrialPEM requiredObservational

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Øystein Fluge, Olav Mella, Ove Bruland et al.·PLoS ONE·2011·n=30

In this pilot RCT, 30 ME/CFS patients received rituximab (a B-cell depleting antibody used in cancer and autoimmune disease) or placebo. Two-thirds of the rituximab group showed clinical improvement, with delayed response patterns consistent with autoimmune disease mechanisms. The placebo group had minimal response.

InterventionsImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Peripheral blood gene expression in postinfective fatigue syndrome following from three different triggering infections.

Galbraith, Sally, Cameron, Barbara, Li, Hui et al.·The Journal of infectious diseases·2011

Researchers studied blood samples from 18 people who developed long-lasting fatigue after three different infections (Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus, and Q fever) and compared them to 18 healthy people who recovered normally. They looked for patterns in which genes were turned on or off that might explain the fatigue syndrome. While they found some differences in gene activity, these patterns were not consistent across the different infection groups, suggesting there may not be a single blood-based marker that identifies post-infectious fatigue.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Excess of activating killer cell immunoglobulin‑like receptors and lack of HLA-Bw4 ligands: a two‑edged weapon in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pasi, Annamaria, Bozzini, Sara, Carlo-Stella, Nicoletta et al.·Molecular medicine reports·2011

This study examined immune system genes called KIRs and their matching partners (HLA molecules) in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had an unusual pattern of these immune genes—specifically, more of a type called KIR3DS1 and fewer matching HLA partners for their receptors to recognize. The researchers suggest this mismatch might make it harder for the immune system to fight off infections, potentially allowing chronic infections to persist.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Failure to Detect XMRV-Specific Antibodies in the Plasma of CFS Patients Using Highly Sensitive Chemiluminescence Immunoassays.

Oakes, Brendan, Qiu, Xiaoxing, Levine, Susan et al.·Advances in virology·2011

In 2009, researchers claimed they found a virus called XMRV in most ME/CFS patients' blood. This study tested whether that finding was real by looking for antibodies (immune system markers) to XMRV in blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. The researchers found no evidence of XMRV antibodies in any of the samples, suggesting the original finding may not have been accurate.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Brenu, Ekua W, van Driel, Mieke L, Staines, Don R et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2011

This study examined immune system markers in 95 ME/CFS patients compared to 50 healthy people to see if certain blood tests could help diagnose the condition. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had imbalanced immune responses, including higher levels of certain inflammatory proteins and lower activity of immune cells that normally fight infections. These immune differences might one day be used as reliable diagnostic markers to help doctors identify ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredLongitudinal

A natural history study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jason, Leonard A, Porter, Nicole, Hunnell, Jessica et al.·Rehabilitation psychology·2011

This 10-year study followed 32 people from the community who had been diagnosed with ME/CFS to see how their condition changed over time. Researchers found that most people with ME/CFS remained quite ill, though a few improved or developed other conditions. A key symptom called post-exertional malaise—where physical activity makes symptoms much worse—was the best marker that distinguished people with ME/CFS from others.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Does the heterogeneity of chronic fatigue syndrome moderate the response to cognitive behaviour therapy? An exploratory study.

Cella, Matteo, Chalder, Trudie, White, Peter D·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2011

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients are different from each other in ways that predict how well they respond to cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), a type of talking therapy. Researchers analyzed data from 236 patients and found that most patients improved with CBT regardless of their characteristics, but they identified a smaller group with certain traits—including weight changes, tremors, anxiety, and pain—who were less likely to benefit. The findings suggest CBT can help most people with ME/CFS, though a minority may need different approaches.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Characterization of chronic fatigue in patients with sarcoidosis in clinical remission.

Korenromp, Ingrid H E, Heijnen, Cobi J, Vogels, Oscar J M et al.·Chest·2011

This study looked at 75 people with sarcoidosis (an inflammatory disease) whose disease was no longer active, but who still felt extremely tired. Nearly half of these fatigued patients met the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The researchers found that fatigue was linked to depression, anxiety, reduced quality of life, lower physical activity, and muscle weakness—even though their sarcoidosis was considered under control.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Murine gammaretrovirus group G3 was not found in Swedish patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Elfaitouri, Amal, Shao, Xingwu, Mattsson Ulfstedt, Johan et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers tested whether a virus called XMRV (xenotropic murine retrovirus) was present in Swedish patients with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Using sensitive tests on blood samples from 78 ME/CFS patients and 168 healthy blood donors, they found no evidence that this virus was present in any of the samples. This study helps answer questions about whether XMRV plays a role in ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care.

Nacul, Luis C, Lacerda, Eliana M, Pheby, Derek et al.·BMC medicine·2011

This study looked at how many people in three regions of England have ME/CFS by checking medical records and asking doctors directly about their patients. Depending on which diagnostic criteria they used, between 0.03% and 0.2% of adults had ME/CFS—meaning roughly 1 in 500 to 1 in 3,300 people. The study shows ME/CFS is a real and significant health problem affecting many people who need better support and care.

Diagnostics

E2 ModeratePEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

A Disease Register for ME/CFS: Report of a Pilot Study.

Pheby, Derek, Lacerda, Eliana, Nacul, Luis et al.·BMC research notes·2011

Researchers created a disease register (a database) to identify and track people with ME/CFS in a fair and systematic way. They searched GP records in three regions of England and found 510 patients with unexplained chronic fatigue, of which 160 agreed to join the register. By following these patients over time, researchers can better understand how ME/CFS progresses and use this group for future studies.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Increased plasma peroxides as a marker of oxidative stress in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Maes, Michael, Kubera, Marta, Uytterhoeven, Marc et al.·Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research·2011

This study measured two markers of oxidative stress (damage caused by harmful molecules in the body) in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of plasma peroxides—harmful molecules that damage cells. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may play a role in ME/CFS, which could help explain some of the illness's symptoms.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

The role of changes in activity as a function of perceived available and expended energy in nonpharmacological treatment outcomes for ME/CFS.

Brown, Molly, Khorana, Neha, Jason, Leonard A·Journal of clinical psychology·2011

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS respond to gradual activity increases. The key finding was that patients who stayed within their energy limits—not pushing beyond what energy they had available—improved more in both physical function and fatigue compared to those who pushed beyond their limits. This suggests that personalized treatment based on each person's actual energy availability might be more helpful than one-size-fits-all activity programs.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

The retrovirus XMRV is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy.

Measuring substantial reductions in functioning in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lower whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity in depression, but not in myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome: another pathway that may be associated with coronary artery disease and neuroprogression in depression.

Therapist effects in routine psychotherapy practice: an account from chronic fatigue syndrome.

The effect of exercise cessation on non-articular tenderness measures and quality of life in well-trained athletes.

[The role of depression in cognitive impairment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Peripheral blood gene expression in postinfective fatigue syndrome following from three different triggering infections.

Excess of activating killer cell immunoglobulin‑like receptors and lack of HLA-Bw4 ligands: a two‑edged weapon in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Failure to Detect XMRV-Specific Antibodies in the Plasma of CFS Patients Using Highly Sensitive Chemiluminescence Immunoassays.

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

A natural history study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Does the heterogeneity of chronic fatigue syndrome moderate the response to cognitive behaviour therapy? An exploratory study.

Characterization of chronic fatigue in patients with sarcoidosis in clinical remission.

Murine gammaretrovirus group G3 was not found in Swedish patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Prevalence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in three regions of England: a repeated cross-sectional study in primary care.

A Disease Register for ME/CFS: Report of a Pilot Study.

Increased plasma peroxides as a marker of oxidative stress in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

The role of changes in activity as a function of perceived available and expended energy in nonpharmacological treatment outcomes for ME/CFS.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research