ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2807 studies

1821–1840 of 2,807 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies, polymorphisms in the serotonin pathway, and human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in chronic fatigue syndrome: are they associated with age at onset and specific symptoms?

Ortega-Hernandez, Oscar-Danilo, Cuccia, Mariaclara, Bozzini, Sara et al.·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2009

This study looked at whether certain genetic traits and immune markers in the blood are linked to when ME/CFS develops and what symptoms people experience. Researchers tested 81 ME/CFS patients for specific genes related to serotonin (a brain chemical), immune system genes, and antibodies. They found that different genetic patterns were associated with developing ME/CFS at different ages and with certain symptoms like joint pain and fever, but not muscle pain.

Immune System

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 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

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective survey.

Berkovitz, Saul, Ambler, Gareth, Jenkins, Michael et al.·International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition·2009

This study measured vitamin D levels in 221 ME/CFS patients and found they were significantly lower than in healthy people from the general British population. Because ME/CFS patients often spend less time outdoors and are less physically active, they may not get enough sun exposure to produce adequate vitamin D naturally. The researchers suggest that ME/CFS patients should try to get more sunlight and eat vitamin D-rich foods, and may benefit from vitamin D supplements if levels remain low.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Molecular study of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct gene promoter and identification of specific HLA haplotypes possibly involved in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Carlo-Stella, N, Bozzini, S, De Silvestri, A et al.·International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology·2009

This study looked at two genes related to inflammation in 75 Italian ME/CFS patients and compared them to 141 healthy controls. The researchers found that certain genetic variations in the RAGE gene and immune system genes called HLA were more common in ME/CFS patients, suggesting these genetic differences might increase risk for the condition. The findings suggest ME/CFS may involve inherited factors that affect how the immune system responds.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Illness intrusiveness in myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory study.

Goudsmit, E M, Stouten, B, Howes, S·Journal of health psychology·2009

This study looked at how much ME disrupts different areas of patients' lives—work, social activities, hobbies, and relationships. Researchers asked 24 people with ME about their symptoms, how disabled they felt, and their mood. They found that ME significantly intrudes on daily life, and this intrusion was linked to fatigue, brain fog, disability, and depression. Patients who had ME plus other health conditions reported even more life disruption than those with ME alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in two "ideologically" contrasting clinics.

Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn, Van Hoof, Elke, Becq, Katrien et al.·The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2009

This study compared ME/CFS patients from two Belgian clinics—one focused on biological causes and one on psychological/social factors. Researchers found that patients at both clinics were actually quite similar in terms of fatigue levels, mood problems, and confidence in managing their illness. However, patients who experienced a sudden illness onset and believed their condition was physical in nature were more likely to attend the biologically-focused clinic.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Associations between pet ownership and self-reported health status in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wells, Deborah L·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2009

Researchers asked 193 people with ME/CFS whether they owned pets and how their health was doing. About 58% owned pets, mostly dogs and cats. While pet owners reported feeling that their animals helped their mental well-being, the study found no clear statistical link between owning a pet and having better health scores overall.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Visible and near-infrared spectral changes in the thumb of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sakudo, Akikazu, Kato, Yukiko Hakariya, Tajima, Seiki et al.·Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry·2009

Researchers used a special light-based scanning tool to examine the thumbs of ME/CFS patients and healthy people, looking for differences in blood and oxygen levels. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher oxygen-carrying proteins in their blood, less water in their tissues, and signs of faster energy use in their cells. These findings suggest that ME/CFS patients' bodies may be working harder than usual, even at rest.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Electroencephalographic correlates of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Decker, Michael J, Tabassum, Humyra, Lin, Jin-Mann S et al.·Behavioral and brain functions : BBF·2009

This study looked at brain wave patterns during sleep in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls using a sleep study test. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had abnormal brain wave activity during different sleep stages, particularly weaker delta waves during deep sleep and weaker alpha waves during REM sleep. These findings suggest that the problem in ME/CFS may not be the structure of sleep itself, but rather how the brain regulates and maintains restorative sleep.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: association with neuroendocrine dysfunction.

Heim, Christine, Nater, Urs M, Maloney, Elizabeth et al.·Archives of general psychiatry·2009

This study found that people with ME/CFS who experienced childhood trauma (such as abuse or neglect) have significantly different stress hormone levels compared to healthy people. Specifically, those with ME/CFS and childhood trauma history showed lower cortisol (a stress hormone) levels after waking up. The research suggests that early difficult experiences may damage the body's stress-response system in ways that increase vulnerability to developing ME/CFS later in life.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue: no evidence of a biomarker.

Byrnes, Andrea, Jacks, Andreas, Dahlman-Wright, Karin et al.·PloS one·2009

Researchers compared blood cells from 44 people with ME/CFS to their identical twins who do not have the illness, looking for genetic differences that might explain the disease. Despite careful testing using advanced technology, they found no differences in how genes were expressed between the two groups. This suggests that if previous studies claimed to find biomarkers (biological signs) of ME/CFS in blood, those findings may have been due to errors in how the studies were conducted rather than real biological differences.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

RETRACTED: Detection of an infectious retrovirus, XMRV, in blood cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lombardi, Vincent C, Ruscetti, Francis W, Das Gupta, Jaydip et al.·Science (New York, N.Y.)·2009

This study, which has since been retracted, reported finding a virus called XMRV in blood cells from most ME/CFS patients tested, but rarely in healthy people. The researchers showed that this virus could be grown in the lab and transmitted between cells. However, subsequent studies by other scientists could not reproduce these findings, leading to the retraction of this paper.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exploratory analysis of the relationships between aerobic capacity and self-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Weinstein, Ali A, Drinkard, Bart M, Diao, Guoqing et al.·PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation·2009

This study looked at whether feeling tired (fatigue) matches up with how well the body can use oxygen during exercise in people with three different conditions: rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and ME/CFS. Researchers tested 29 patients total and found that people who reported doing more physical activity had better oxygen capacity, but surprisingly, how fatigued people *said* they felt didn't match their actual aerobic fitness levels.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Vitamin D metabolites as clinical markers in autoimmune and chronic disease.

Blaney, Greg P, Albert, Paul J, Proal, Amy D·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2009

This study measured two types of vitamin D in the blood of patients with autoimmune and chronic diseases, including ME/CFS. The researchers found that a specific form of vitamin D (1,25-D) at high levels was associated with these conditions, but the commonly-tested form of vitamin D (25-D) was not. This suggests doctors may need to test for the right type of vitamin D to properly assess autoimmune disease.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An investigation into the cognitive deficits associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Thomas, Marie, Smith, Andrew·The open neurology journal·2009

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have real problems with thinking and memory, not just imagine they do. The researchers gave a large group of properly diagnosed ME/CFS patients a thorough set of cognitive tests and found clear evidence of cognitive difficulties. Importantly, these problems were not caused by depression or anxiety, suggesting they are a direct part of the illness.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Illness behaviors in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue are associated with significant other responses.

Romano, Joan M, Jensen, Mark P, Schmaling, Karen B et al.·Journal of behavioral medicine·2009

This study looked at how the responses of family members and close partners affect people with chronic fatigue. Researchers found that when significant others were supportive or 'solicitous' (caring and attentive), patients tended to show more illness-related behaviors. Interestingly, when significant others responded negatively, patients reported higher levels of depression. The findings suggest that social interactions and family dynamics may play a role in how chronic fatigue affects daily functioning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome combines increased exercise-induced oxidative stress and reduced cytokine and Hsp responses.

Jammes, Y, Steinberg, J G, Delliaux, S et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2009

This study found that people with ME/CFS experience unusual stress on their cells during exercise, particularly involving harmful molecules called free radicals. Their bodies also fail to mount normal protective responses—both in terms of producing protective proteins (heat shock proteins) and inflammatory markers that healthy people produce during exertion. This combination of excessive cellular damage and insufficient protective response may explain why exercise is so difficult for people with ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Implementing cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in mental health care: a costs and outcomes analysis.

Scheeres, Korine, Wensing, Michel, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·BMC health services research·2008

This study tested whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a talk-based treatment, could be successfully offered to ME/CFS patients at a mental health center and whether it was worth the cost. Researchers tracked 125 patients before and after treatment and found that 37% recovered from CFS, patients' healthcare costs went down, and overall costs to society were lower. The study suggests that offering CBT for ME/CFS in mental health settings could be both helpful and financially reasonable.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Low-grade inflammation and arterial wave reflection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Spence, Vance A, Kennedy, Gwen, Belch, Jill J F et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·2008

This study found that people with ME/CFS have stiffer arteries and higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage) compared to healthy people. These cardiovascular changes are associated with each other and may increase the risk of future heart problems in people with ME/CFS.

Immune System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Autoantibodies, polymorphisms in the serotonin pathway, and human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in chronic fatigue syndrome: are they associated with age at onset and specific symptoms?

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

Chronic fatigue syndrome and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective survey.

Molecular study of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct gene promoter and identification of specific HLA haplotypes possibly involved in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Illness intrusiveness in myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory study.

A comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in two "ideologically" contrasting clinics.

Associations between pet ownership and self-reported health status in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Visible and near-infrared spectral changes in the thumb of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Electroencephalographic correlates of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: association with neuroendocrine dysfunction.

Gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue: no evidence of a biomarker.

RETRACTED: Detection of an infectious retrovirus, XMRV, in blood cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exploratory analysis of the relationships between aerobic capacity and self-reported fatigue in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Vitamin D metabolites as clinical markers in autoimmune and chronic disease.

An investigation into the cognitive deficits associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Illness behaviors in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue are associated with significant other responses.

Chronic fatigue syndrome combines increased exercise-induced oxidative stress and reduced cytokine and Hsp responses.

Implementing cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in mental health care: a costs and outcomes analysis.

Low-grade inflammation and arterial wave reflection in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research