ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

1601–1620 of 2,768 studies

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 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 unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles.

Knudsen, Ann Kristen, Omenås, Anne Nagelgaard, Harvey, Samuel B et al.·JRSM short reports·2011

Researchers analyzed Norwegian newspaper articles about ME/CFS published between 2008-2009 to see how they described treatments. They found that newspapers were much more likely to write positively about alternative treatments (like the Lightning Process) and negatively about evidence-based treatments (like cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise) than the scientific evidence supports. This matters because many people get health information from newspapers, so unbalanced reporting could influence patient choices.

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 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 requiredCross-Sectional

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Lombardi, Vincent C, Hagen, Kathryn S, Hunter, Kenneth W et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2011

This 2011 study looked for a specific virus (XMRV) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and measured immune system chemicals called cytokines and chemokines. Researchers found a distinctive pattern of 10 immune chemicals that could identify XMRV-positive patients with very high accuracy (93-96%), suggesting that this virus may trigger a particular type of immune response in some people with ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising chronic fatigue syndrome.

Davenport, Todd E, Stevens, Staci R, Baroni, Katie et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2011

This study looked at which symptoms best identify people with ME/CFS by comparing 16 patients with the condition to 14 healthy controls. The researchers found that failure to recover within one day after intense exercise was the strongest single indicator of ME/CFS, and combining three symptoms—immune problems, sleep disturbance, and pain—could accurately identify most patients. The findings suggest that fewer symptoms may be needed to diagnose ME/CFS than current guidelines require.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

Puri, B K, Gunatilake, K D R, Fernando, K A C et al.·The Journal of international medical research·2011

Researchers examined the chests of 42 people with ME/CFS and 20 healthy people to look for physical signs. They found that 81% of people with ME/CFS had tenderness (pain when touched) in a specific area on the left side of their rib cage, while none of the healthy people had this tenderness. This suggests there may be a consistent physical finding that doctors could potentially use to help identify ME/CFS.

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 not requiredObservational

Evidence for a heritable predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Albright, Frederick, Light, Kathleen, Light, Alan et al.·BMC neurology·2011

This study looked at family medical records in Utah to see whether ME/CFS runs in families. Researchers found that relatives of people with ME/CFS were significantly more likely to also have ME/CFS than would be expected by chance. These findings suggest that genetics plays a role in who develops ME/CFS, though having a relative with the condition doesn't mean you will definitely get it.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence of XMRV nucleic acid and antibody in HIV-1-Infected men and in men at risk for HIV-1 Infection.

Spindler, J, Hackett, J, Qiu, X et al.·Advances in virology·2011

This study tested blood samples from men in an HIV research study to see if they were infected with XMRV, a virus that had been proposed as a possible cause of ME/CFS. Researchers used two different methods to look for the virus: checking for antibodies (immune system responses) and checking for the virus itself. They found no evidence that XMRV was actually present in any of the samples tested.

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 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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in an ethnically diverse population: the influence of psychosocial adversity and physical inactivity.

Bhui, Kamaldeep S, Dinos, Sokratis, Ashby, Deborah et al.·BMC medicine·2011

This study looked at how common ME/CFS is in different ethnic groups in England and found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds had higher rates of the illness than White British people. The researchers discovered that anxiety, depression, lack of physical activity, stress in relationships, and poor social support were all linked to higher rates of ME/CFS, and together these factors explained why some ethnic groups had more cases.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Webb, Carly M, Collin, Simon M, Deave, Toity et al.·BMC health services research·2011

Children with ME/CFS are waiting much longer than recommended to see a specialist—the typical wait is 18 months, while guidelines suggest assessment should happen within 3-6 months. This study found that many GPs and other doctors don't know enough about ME/CFS or how to refer children properly, and some had negative attitudes toward the condition. Parents also found it hard to explain an 'invisible' illness to healthcare providers, which delayed their children from getting the specialist care they needed.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

The role of acceptance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brooks, Samantha K, Rimes, Katharine A, Chalder, Trudie·Journal of psychosomatic research·2011

This study looked at whether learning to accept ME/CFS (rather than fighting against it) helps patients feel less fatigued and function better in daily life. Researchers gave 259 patients questionnaires and then provided 90 of them with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). After treatment, patients who had learned greater acceptance reported less fatigue and better ability to work and socialize.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Numbers and types of nonbladder syndromes as risk factors for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Warren, John W, Wesselmann, Ursula, Morozov, Vadim et al.·Urology·2011

This study looked at whether having multiple conditions alongside bladder pain (like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and allergies) increases the risk of developing interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Researchers found that people who had more of these accompanying conditions before developing IC/PBS were at higher risk, and that these conditions often appeared before the bladder symptoms started. The specific types of conditions varied, but their number seemed to matter most.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

No Evidence of XMRV or MuLV Sequences in Prostate Cancer, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, or the UK Blood Donor Population.

Robinson, Mark James, Tuke, Philip William, Erlwein, Otto et al.·Advances in virology·2011

This study tested whether XMRV (a virus that was claimed to cause ME/CFS) could be found in prostate cancer patients, lymphoma patients, and healthy blood donors in the UK. Researchers looked for genetic traces of the virus using sensitive laboratory tests. They found no evidence that XMRV or related viruses were actually infecting these groups of people.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Gynecological history in chronic fatigue syndrome: a population-based case-control study.

Boneva, Roumiana S, Maloney, Elizabeth M, Lin, Jin-Mann et al.·Journal of women's health (2002)·2011

This study looked at whether gynecological history—including conditions like endometriosis, pelvic pain, and surgeries—might be connected to ME/CFS. Researchers compared 36 women with ME/CFS to 48 healthy women and found that women with ME/CFS reported more pelvic pain, endometriosis, and gynecological surgeries. The study suggests that gynecological health may play a role in ME/CFS and deserves closer medical attention.

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

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

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles.

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

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

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising 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.

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

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

Evidence for a heritable predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Prevalence of XMRV nucleic acid and antibody in HIV-1-Infected men and in men at risk for HIV-1 Infection.

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

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

Chronic fatigue syndrome in an ethnically diverse population: the influence of psychosocial adversity and physical inactivity.

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

The role of acceptance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Numbers and types of nonbladder syndromes as risk factors for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

No Evidence of XMRV or MuLV Sequences in Prostate Cancer, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, or the UK Blood Donor Population.

Gynecological history in chronic fatigue syndrome: a population-based case-control study.

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