ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

1781–1800 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Barriers to healthcare utilization in fatiguing illness: a population-based study in Georgia.

Lin, Jin-Mann S, Brimmer, Dana J, Boneva, Roumiana S et al.·BMC health services research·2009

This study looked at why people with ME/CFS and other fatiguing illnesses skip or delay needed medical care. Researchers surveyed 780 people, including 112 with CFS, and found that 55% of those with CFS faced barriers to getting healthcare. The main barriers fell into three categories: trouble accessing care (like travel or scheduling), healthcare providers' attitudes and knowledge gaps, and problems with how the healthcare system itself works.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: do parental expectations of their child's intellectual ability match the child's ability?

Godfrey, Emma, Cleare, Anthony, Coddington, Alice et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2009

This study looked at whether parents of teenagers with ME/CFS have unrealistic expectations about their child's intellectual abilities compared to parents of healthy teenagers. Researchers tested the actual IQ of 28 teenagers with ME/CFS and 29 healthy teenagers, and also asked them and their parents what they thought their abilities were. They found that parents of teenagers with ME/CFS believed their children were more intelligent than they actually tested, more so than parents of healthy teenagers did.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The doctor-patient relationship in chronic fatigue syndrome: survey of patient perspectives.

Van Hoof, Elke·Quality in primary care·2009

This study surveyed 177 ME/CFS patients about their experiences with their doctors. The researchers found that most general practitioners (GPs) do not feel confident diagnosing or treating ME/CFS, and patients often felt their doctors did not understand their condition. Poor communication and lack of GP knowledge about ME/CFS led many patients to feel unsupported and unheard in medical appointments.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Allodynia in migraine: association with comorbid pain conditions.

Tietjen, Gretchen E, Brandes, Jan L, Peterlin, B Lee et al.·Headache·2009

This study looked at how often migraine patients experience allodynia—pain or discomfort from things that normally wouldn't hurt, like light touch on the skin. The researchers found that 60% of migraine patients had at least one allodynic symptom, and those with allodynia were much more likely to also have other chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as depression and anxiety.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Association of peripheral inflammatory markers with chronic fatigue in a population-based sample.

Raison, Charles L, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Reeves, William C·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2009

Researchers measured inflammation markers in the blood of people with ME/CFS, people with fatigue that didn't quite meet ME/CFS criteria, and healthy controls. They found that inflammation markers were elevated in both fatigue groups compared to healthy people. However, when they accounted for factors like depression, weight, age, and medications, the connection to ME/CFS specifically became less clear, suggesting that general fatigue and unwellness—not ME/CFS alone—may be linked to immune activation.

Immune System

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Clinical assessment of the physical activity pattern of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a validation of three methods.

Scheeres, Korine, Knoop, Hans, Meer, van der Jos et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2009

This study tested three different ways to measure physical activity patterns in ME/CFS patients to see which method works best. Researchers compared a clinical interview, two questionnaires, and an objective activity monitor (actometer) in 226 patients. All three methods were reasonably accurate but had significant errors, and the questionnaire called IPAQ was best at identifying patients with low activity levels, which is important for treatment planning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High slow-wave sleep and low-light sleep: chronic fatigue syndrome is not likely to be a primary sleep disorder.

Neu, Daniel, Cappeliez, Bernard, Hoffmann, Guy et al.·Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society·2009

This study compared sleep patterns between people with ME/CFS and people with a primary sleep disorder (sleep apnea) to see if ME/CFS might actually be a sleep problem in disguise. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have distinctly different sleep patterns—more deep sleep and fewer light sleep stages—compared to people with actual sleep disorders. This suggests ME/CFS is not primarily a sleep disorder, even though both conditions cause people to feel unrefreshed.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"Functional" or "psychosomatic" symptoms, e.g. a flu-like malaise, aches and pain and fatigue, are major features of major and in particular of melancholic depression.

Maes, Michael·Neuro endocrinology letters·2009

This study looked at whether depression and ME/CFS share similar physical symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain, and feeling like you have an infection. Researchers found that people with severe depression often experience these "body-centered" symptoms as a major part of their illness. The findings suggest that doctors should pay more attention to these physical symptoms when diagnosing and treating depression.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Further validation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in a US adult population sample.

Lin, Jin-Mann S, Brimmer, Dana J, Maloney, Elizabeth M et al.·Population health metrics·2009

This study tested whether a 20-question fatigue measurement tool (the MFI-20) works well for people with ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses. Researchers gave the questionnaire to 783 people in Georgia—some with ME/CFS-like illness, some with chronic unwellness, and some who were healthy—and found that the tool reliably distinguished between these groups and accurately measured different types of fatigue.

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Transcription profile analysis of vastus lateralis muscle from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pietrangelo, T, Mancinelli, R, Toniolo, L et al.·International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology·2009

Researchers examined muscle tissue from ME/CFS patients and found abnormalities in how genes are expressed—essentially, certain genetic instructions were turned up or down compared to healthy people. The biggest changes involved genes related to energy production in cells, muscle structure, and communication between nerves and muscles. These findings suggest that problems at the cellular level may explain why ME/CFS patients experience muscle weakness and fatigue.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Myhill, Sarah, Booth, Norman E, McLaren-Howard, John·International journal of clinical and experimental medicine·2009

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have problems with how their cells produce energy. Researchers developed a blood test called the 'ATP profile' that measures five different factors related to mitochondrial function—the parts of cells responsible for energy production. They compared 71 patients with ME/CFS to 53 healthy controls and found a strong connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and illness severity, suggesting energy problems may underlie ME/CFS symptoms.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The lifestyle of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and the effect on fatigue and functional impairments.

Goedendorp, M M, Knoop, H, Schippers, G M et al.·Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association·2009

This study looked at the daily habits (diet, smoking, weight, exercise) of 247 people with ME/CFS and whether these habits affected their fatigue or ability to do activities. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients actually had healthier lifestyles than the general population, eating less fatty food and smoking less. Surprisingly, the study found no connection between lifestyle choices and how severe someone's fatigue or disability was.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The relationship of Fennell phases to symptoms among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reynolds, Nadia L, Brown, Molly M, Jason, Leonard A·Evaluation & the health professions·2009

This study looked at whether ME/CFS symptoms change over time in predictable phases. Researchers used a questionnaire called the Fennell Phase Inventory to sort 111 patients into three groups: those in crisis (worst symptoms), stabilization (middle ground), or resolution (improving). They found that patients in the crisis phase had more depression, anxiety, worse quality of life, and used less helpful coping strategies—like avoidance—compared to those improving or stable.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Implications of gender in chronic Lyme disease.

Wormser, Gary P, Shapiro, Eugene D·Journal of women's health (2002)·2009

This study compared three groups of patients: those with confirmed Lyme disease, those with lingering symptoms after Lyme disease treatment (post-Lyme disease syndrome), and those diagnosed with 'chronic Lyme disease' (a less clearly defined condition). The researchers found that women made up a much larger percentage of the chronic Lyme disease group compared to the other two groups. This suggests that some patients labeled with chronic Lyme disease may actually have other conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome that also affect more women.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Psychiatric comorbidity in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the Georgia population.

Nater, Urs M, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Maloney, Elizabeth M et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2009

This study looked at how often people with ME/CFS also have psychiatric conditions like depression or anxiety. Researchers called random people in Georgia and invited those who were unwell to participate. They found that 57% of people with ME/CFS had at least one current psychiatric diagnosis, compared to 45% of people with similar but milder symptoms. Importantly, most people with ME/CFS who had these psychiatric conditions hadn't seen a mental health specialist in the past 6 months.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Illness perceptions in patients with fibromyalgia.

van Ittersum, M W, van Wilgen, C P, Hilberdink, W K H A et al.·Patient education and counseling·2009

This study looked at how people with fibromyalgia understand and perceive their illness by having 196 patients complete a questionnaire. The researchers found that fibromyalgia patients often feel confused about their condition, believe it will last a long time, and worry it will significantly impact their daily life. The questionnaire tool was found to be reliable for measuring these beliefs in Dutch-speaking fibromyalgia patients.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Diurnal pattern of cortisol output in postnatal depression.

Taylor, Alyx, Glover, Vivette, Marks, Maureen et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2009

This study looked at how stress hormone (cortisol) levels change throughout the day in women with depression after having a baby, compared to women without postpartum depression and non-pregnant women. The researchers found that depressed women had unusually high cortisol levels when they woke up and didn't show the normal increase in cortisol that typically happens 30 minutes after waking, which is similar to patterns seen in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reduced complexity of activity patterns in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Burton, Christopher, Knoop, Hans, Popovic, Nikola et al.·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2009

This study measured how people with ME/CFS move and rest over a 12-day period compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have activity patterns that are more repetitive and predictable—like a broken record—whereas healthy people's activity patterns are more varied and flexible. This difference held true even when accounting for the fact that ME/CFS patients were less active overall.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Glucocorticoid receptor mediated negative feedback in chronic fatigue syndrome using the low dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test.

Papadopoulos, Andrew, Ebrecht, Marcel, Roberts, Amanda D L et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2009

This study looked at how the body's stress hormone system works in ME/CFS patients. Researchers gave a small dose of a synthetic hormone called dexamethasone to 18 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy people, then measured how much their natural stress hormone (cortisol) decreased in response. Interestingly, ME/CFS patients who also had depression showed a larger drop in cortisol than healthy controls, suggesting their feedback system may be working overtime.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Memory for fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome: relationships to fatigue variability, catastrophizing, and negative affect.

Sohl, Stephanie J, Friedberg, Fred·Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.)·2008

This study explored how ME/CFS patients remember their fatigue compared to what they actually experience day-to-day. Over 3 weeks, 53 patients recorded their fatigue levels as they happened, then recalled how fatigued they had been the previous week. The research found that people who had more variable fatigue, as well as those struggling with worry, depression, or anxiety, tended to remember their fatigue differently than they actually experienced it.

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Barriers to healthcare utilization in fatiguing illness: a population-based study in Georgia.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: do parental expectations of their child's intellectual ability match the child's ability?

The doctor-patient relationship in chronic fatigue syndrome: survey of patient perspectives.

Allodynia in migraine: association with comorbid pain conditions.

Association of peripheral inflammatory markers with chronic fatigue in a population-based sample.

Clinical assessment of the physical activity pattern of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a validation of three methods.

High slow-wave sleep and low-light sleep: chronic fatigue syndrome is not likely to be a primary sleep disorder.

"Functional" or "psychosomatic" symptoms, e.g. a flu-like malaise, aches and pain and fatigue, are major features of major and in particular of melancholic depression.

Further validation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in a US adult population sample.

Transcription profile analysis of vastus lateralis muscle from patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction.

The lifestyle of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and the effect on fatigue and functional impairments.

The relationship of Fennell phases to symptoms among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Implications of gender in chronic Lyme disease.

Psychiatric comorbidity in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the Georgia population.

Illness perceptions in patients with fibromyalgia.

Diurnal pattern of cortisol output in postnatal depression.

Reduced complexity of activity patterns in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Glucocorticoid receptor mediated negative feedback in chronic fatigue syndrome using the low dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test.

Memory for fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome: relationships to fatigue variability, catastrophizing, and negative affect.

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