ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2785 studies

1861–1880 of 2,785 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Determinants of health care use in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a cross-sectional study.

Scheeres, Korine, Wensing, Michel, Severens, Hans et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2008

This study looked at what factors influence how much medical care ME/CFS patients use. Researchers surveyed 263 ME/CFS patients about their doctor visits and hospital stays over 6 months, and measured their fatigue severity and physical functioning. They found that how sick patients are, how long they've had the illness, and whether they focus a lot on their symptoms all affect how much healthcare they use.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Validation of the energy index point score to serially measure the degree of disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lerner, A Martin, Beqaj, Safedin H, Fitzgerald, James T·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2008

Researchers tested a simple scoring system called the Energy Index (EI) to measure fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients. They compared it to another well-known fatigue measurement tool (the Fatigue Severity Score) in 56 patients and found the two methods produced similar results. This suggests the Energy Index is a reliable way for doctors and patients to track how severe fatigue is and whether treatments are helping.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

The neural correlates of fatigue: an exploratory imaginal fatigue provocation study in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Caseras, X, Mataix-Cols, D, Rimes, K A et al.·Psychological medicine·2008

This study used brain imaging to see how the brains of ME/CFS patients respond when they imagine feeling fatigued, compared to healthy people. Researchers found that patients with ME/CFS showed different patterns of brain activity during fatigue scenarios—some areas lit up more, while others lit up less—suggesting their brains may react more intensely to fatigue and have difficulty controlling these responses.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Dynamics of sleep stage transitions in healthy humans and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kishi, Akifumi, Struzik, Zbigniew R, Natelson, Benjamin H et al.·American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology·2008

This study examined sleep patterns in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people by recording brain activity during sleep. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have disrupted transitions between different types of sleep, particularly trouble maintaining lighter sleep and REM sleep, and instead wake up more frequently. This suggests that the brain's sleep regulation mechanisms work differently in ME/CFS.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The relationship between prior psychiatric disorder and chronic fatigue: evidence from a national birth cohort study.

Harvey, S B, Wadsworth, M, Wessely, S et al.·Psychological medicine·2008

This study followed over 5,000 people from birth into their 50s to understand whether psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety occur before ME/CFS develops. Researchers found that people who experienced depression or anxiety between ages 15-36 were about 2.5 times more likely to develop ME/CFS later in life. The more severe the psychiatric symptoms were, the higher the risk of developing ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Negotiating the diagnostic uncertainty of contested illnesses: physician practices and paradigms.

Swoboda, Debra A·Health (London, England : 1997)·2008

This study surveyed 800 U.S. doctors to understand how they diagnose ME/CFS and similar illnesses that lack clear lab tests or agreed-upon causes. Researchers found that many doctors do diagnose these conditions, even without complete scientific consensus, by using practical strategies like consulting expert resources, ordering specific tests, and considering how the body might be affected. The study shows that doctors can rationally diagnose ME/CFS by using thoughtful decision-making processes, and that patients may benefit from seeing doctors who use these careful diagnostic approaches.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The associations between basal salivary cortisol and illness symptomatology in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Torres-Harding, Susan, Sorenson, Matthew, Jason, Leonard et al.·Journal of applied biobehavioral research·2008

This study looked at cortisol, a stress hormone, in 108 people with ME/CFS to see if abnormal cortisol levels were connected to symptoms like fatigue and pain. The researchers found that people with unusual cortisol patterns—especially those who didn't show the normal daily rise and fall—reported higher levels of fatigue. While abnormal cortisol appears linked to some ME/CFS symptoms, scientists still aren't sure whether this hormonal change causes the illness or results from it.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger.

Davies, S, Crawley, E·Archives of disease in childhood·2008

This study looked at young children under age 12 with ME/CFS at a specialist clinic in Bath, UK. The researchers found that even very young children (including one as young as 2 years old) can have ME/CFS and experience severe disability, with symptoms almost identical to those seen in teenagers. Children in this age group attended school only about 40% of the time on average and reported high levels of fatigue and pain.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Lower frequency of IL-17F sequence variant (His161Arg) in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Metzger, Kristine, Frémont, Marc, Roelant, Chris et al.·Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2008

This study looked at a genetic variation in a protein called IL-17F that affects immune system inflammation. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients were less likely to carry a protective version of this genetic variant compared to healthy people. This suggests that the immune system's inflammatory response, particularly from a type of immune cell called Th17 cells, may play a role in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue among Spanish- and English-speaking Latinos.

Torres-Harding, Susan R, Mason-Shutter, Jennifer, Jason, Leonard A·Social work in public health·2008

This study looked at fatigue levels in Latino communities in Chicago, comparing people who speak English at home with those who speak Spanish at home. Researchers found that English-speaking Latinos reported higher levels of fatigue than Spanish-speaking Latinos. The difference remained even after accounting for other factors like age, income, and education, suggesting that cultural factors related to language and adaptation to a new country may play a role in how severe fatigue becomes.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attentional bias towards health-threat information in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hou, Ruihua, Moss-Morris, Rona, Bradley, Brendan P et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2008

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS pay more attention to health-related threats compared to neutral information. Researchers used a simple computer task showing words and pictures related to health threats or neutral topics, and found that people with ME/CFS did indeed focus more on the health-threat information than healthy people did. This pattern of attention might help explain why some cognitive therapy approaches can be helpful for ME/CFS.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in male Gulf war veterans and civilians: a further test of the single syndrome hypothesis.

Ciccone, Donald S, Weissman, Lois, Natelson, Benjamin H·Journal of health psychology·2008

This study looked at whether ME/CFS is the same disease in everyone or if it might be different depending on how it starts. Researchers compared 45 male veterans with ME/CFS to 84 male civilians with ME/CFS and found some interesting differences: civilians were more likely to get ME/CFS suddenly (like after the flu), while veterans developed it differently. Civilians also had more fibromyalgia alongside their ME/CFS. These differences suggest that ME/CFS might not be one single disease affecting everyone the same way.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prefrontal cortex oxygenation during incremental exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Patrick Neary, J, Roberts, Andy D W, Leavins, Nina et al.·Clinical physiology and functional imaging·2008

This study measured oxygen levels in the brain during exercise in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. People with ME/CFS became exhausted much faster, at lower exercise levels, and showed lower oxygen and blood volume in their brain during and after exercise, suggesting that reduced blood flow to the brain may be part of what causes exercise problems in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Association of comorbid mood disorders and chronic illness with disability and quality of life in Ontario, Canada.

Gadalla, T·Chronic diseases in Canada·2008

This study found that people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and certain digestive disorders are especially likely to also have mood disorders like depression and anxiety. When people with chronic illnesses develop these mood problems, their disability worsens significantly and they have more difficulty with daily activities. The researchers suggest that doctors should routinely screen patients with chronic illnesses for mood disorders, since treating them may improve overall quality of life.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome after human parvovirus B19 infection without persistent viremia.

Seishima, Mariko, Mizutani, Yoko, Shibuya, Yoshinao et al.·Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)·2008

This study looked at 210 patients who had parvovirus B19 infection to see how many developed ME/CFS afterward. Researchers found that the virus cleared from the bloodstream within 4-5 months in all patients tested, and having the virus stick around longer was not connected to developing CFS. However, patients who developed lasting symptoms did show persistently low immune protein (complement) levels, suggesting that ME/CFS after B19 may involve immune system changes rather than ongoing viral presence.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Normalization of leaky gut in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is accompanied by a clinical improvement: effects of age, duration of illness and the translocation of LPS from gram-negative bacteria.

Maes, Michael, Leunis, Jean-Claude·Neuro endocrinology letters·2008

This study tested whether taking natural anti-inflammatory supplements (glutamine, N-acetyl cysteine, and zinc) along with a special diet could help ME/CFS patients whose intestines had become too permeable ("leaky gut"). Researchers measured immune markers in the blood before and after 10-14 months of treatment and found that 24 out of 41 patients improved significantly, with the best results in younger patients and those with shorter illness duration.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A matched case control study of orthostatic intolerance in children/adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Galland, Barbara C, Jackson, Pamela M, Sayers, Rachel M et al.·Pediatric research·2008

This study looked at how the hearts and blood vessels of children and teenagers with ME/CFS respond when they stand up or are tilted upright. Researchers compared 26 young people with ME/CFS to similar healthy controls using a tilt table test. They found that children with ME/CFS were much more likely to experience dizziness and abnormal heart rate responses during the test, suggesting their bodies struggle to regulate blood pressure and heart function when upright.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Energy Envelope Theory and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jason, Leonard, Muldowney, Kathleen, Torres-Harding, Susan·AAOHN journal : official journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses·2008

This study tested the Energy Envelope Theory, which suggests that ME/CFS symptoms get worse when people spend more energy than they have available. Researchers asked people with ME/CFS to track their daily energy use compared to their available energy, and found that those who exceeded their energy budget experienced more severe fatigue, pain, depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. The findings support the idea that staying within your energy limits may help manage ME/CFS symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exercise performance and chronic pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of pain catastrophizing.

Nijs, Jo, Van de Putte, Karen, Louckx, Fred et al.·Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)·2008

This study looked at 36 women with ME/CFS who experience widespread pain to understand how their thoughts about pain (called 'pain catastrophizing'—expecting the worst and feeling helpless) relate to their actual pain levels, ability to exercise, and daily functioning. Researchers found that negative thinking patterns about pain were strongly connected to how much bodily pain patients reported and how much their condition limited their activities. The study suggests that addressing these thought patterns might be an important part of managing ME/CFS with pain.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Deficits of interference control in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

van de Putte, Elise M, Böcker, Koen B, Buitelaar, Jan et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2008

This study looked at how well teenagers with ME/CFS could focus and filter out distractions compared to healthy teenagers. Researchers used brain activity tests to see if adolescents with ME/CFS had difficulty with tasks requiring concentration and filtering out irrelevant information. The findings suggest that ME/CFS in teenagers may affect how the brain controls attention and handles competing information.

Cognitive Impairment

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Determinants of health care use in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a cross-sectional study.

Validation of the energy index point score to serially measure the degree of disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The neural correlates of fatigue: an exploratory imaginal fatigue provocation study in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dynamics of sleep stage transitions in healthy humans and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The relationship between prior psychiatric disorder and chronic fatigue: evidence from a national birth cohort study.

Negotiating the diagnostic uncertainty of contested illnesses: physician practices and paradigms.

The associations between basal salivary cortisol and illness symptomatology in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger.

Lower frequency of IL-17F sequence variant (His161Arg) in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Fatigue among Spanish- and English-speaking Latinos.

Attentional bias towards health-threat information in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in male Gulf war veterans and civilians: a further test of the single syndrome hypothesis.

Prefrontal cortex oxygenation during incremental exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Association of comorbid mood disorders and chronic illness with disability and quality of life in Ontario, Canada.

Chronic fatigue syndrome after human parvovirus B19 infection without persistent viremia.

Normalization of leaky gut in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is accompanied by a clinical improvement: effects of age, duration of illness and the translocation of LPS from gram-negative bacteria.

A matched case control study of orthostatic intolerance in children/adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Energy Envelope Theory and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exercise performance and chronic pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of pain catastrophizing.

Deficits of interference control in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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