ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2785 studies

1981–2000 of 2,785 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Screening for psychological distress using internet administration of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McCue, Patricia, Buchanan, Tom, Martin, Colin R·The British journal of clinical psychology·2006

This study tested whether an online questionnaire called the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) accurately measures anxiety and depression in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS did have higher anxiety and depression scores than healthy controls, but the online format may have artificially inflated these scores. The questionnaire appears useful for screening but measures three different aspects of emotional distress rather than just two as previously thought.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The management of children with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Saidi, Guitta, Haines, Linda·The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·2006

This study looked at how family doctors (GPs) in the UK identify and care for children and teenagers with ME/CFS-like illness in their regular clinics. Researchers reviewed medical records and patient experiences from 116 young people with severe fatigue lasting over 3 months. Most were girls around age 13, and their illness had lasted several years. The study found that GPs diagnosed about half of them with CFS/ME, often within 6 months, and referred most patients to specialists or suggested strategies like pacing and graded exercise.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Long-term outcomes of an integrative rehabilitation program on quality of life: a follow-up study.

Taylor, Renee R, Thanawala, Sachi G, Shiraishi, Yukiko et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study tested whether a counseling program could improve quality of life for people with ME/CFS. Twenty-three participants attended 8 group sessions about managing their illness, followed by 7 months of one-on-one counseling. When researchers checked in at multiple points over a year, they found that people reported better quality of life for up to 12 months after completing the program.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Azithromycin in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an analysis of clinical data.

Vermeulen, Ruud C W, Scholte, Hans R·Journal of translational medicine·2006

This study looked at whether azithromycin, an antibiotic with immune-modulating properties, could help ME/CFS patients. Researchers reviewed medical records from 99 patients who tried azithromycin after other treatments weren't sufficient. About 58 patients (roughly 59%) reported feeling better, and these responders had lower levels of a substance called acetylcarnitine in their blood.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: an example of cytokine mediated sickness behaviour?

Heesen, C, Nawrath, L, Reich, C et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2006

This study looked at whether immune system chemicals called cytokines might cause fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients, similar to how infection makes you feel tired and sick. Researchers compared blood samples from 15 MS patients with severe fatigue to 15 MS patients without fatigue, and found that those with fatigue had significantly higher levels of inflammatory molecules. This suggests that immune system activation may be a key driver of MS-related fatigue.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Early adverse experience and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a population-based study.

Heim, Christine, Wagner, Dieter, Maloney, Elizabeth et al.·Archives of general psychiatry·2006

This study found that people with ME/CFS reported experiencing more childhood trauma (such as abuse or neglect) than people without the illness. The more types of trauma someone experienced as a child, the higher their risk of developing ME/CFS later in life. The connection between childhood trauma and ME/CFS risk was stronger when people also had depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A case control study of premorbid and currently reported physical activity levels in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Smith, Wayne R, White, Peter D, Buchwald, Dedra·BMC psychiatry·2006

This study compared 33 people with chronic fatigue to 33 healthy people of similar age and sex. Researchers asked both groups about their physical activity before and during the study. People with chronic fatigue reported being much more active before they got sick, but now they spend significantly less time standing and walking (about 4 hours per day versus 9 hours for healthy people) and much more time lying down or reclining.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Coping styles in people with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the general population of Wichita, KS.

Nater, Urs M, Wagner, Dieter, Solomon, Laura et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS cope with their illness compared to people without ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to use more escape-avoiding coping strategies (like avoidance or wishful thinking) than healthy controls. Interestingly, people with unexplained fatigue that didn't meet full ME/CFS criteria used similar coping styles to those with ME/CFS, suggesting this pattern may be common across fatiguing illnesses.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Differential diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

Hawk, Caroline, Jason, Leonard A, Torres-Harding, Susan·International journal of behavioral medicine·2006

This study compared people with ME/CFS, people with depression, and healthy controls to find which symptoms best tell these conditions apart. Researchers found that post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity), unrefreshing sleep, and memory problems were the strongest differences. When they used a combination of symptoms including fatigue duration and severity of various symptoms, they could correctly identify which group each person belonged to nearly 100% of the time.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

An empirical delineation of the heterogeneity of chronic unexplained fatigue in women.

Vollmer-Conna, Uté, Aslakson, Eric, White, Peter D·Pharmacogenomics·2006

This study looked at 159 women to understand why chronic fatigue affects people differently. Researchers used statistical analysis to group the women into distinct clusters based on their symptoms, sleep patterns, hormone levels, and stress responses. They found that chronic fatigue is not one single condition, but rather several different conditions with different underlying causes—some linked to sleep problems, others to depression, obesity, or hormonal changes.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lower serum zinc in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): relationships to immune dysfunctions and relevance for the oxidative stress status in CFS.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivana, De Ruyter, Marcel·Journal of affective disorders·2006

This study found that people with ME/CFS have lower levels of zinc in their blood compared to healthy people. The lower the zinc level, the worse some symptoms were, especially feelings of infection. Zinc helps protect the body from harmful molecules called free radicals, so low zinc may be one reason why ME/CFS involves increased stress and damage in the body.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Mirrored symptoms in mother and child with chronic fatigue syndrome.

van de Putte, Elise M, van Doornen, Lorenz J P, Engelbert, Raoul H H et al.·Pediatrics·2006

This study looked at whether parents of teenagers with ME/CFS also have ME/CFS or similar fatigue symptoms. Researchers compared 40 adolescents with ME/CFS to 36 healthy teens and surveyed both children and parents about fatigue and mood. They found that mothers of teens with ME/CFS were significantly more likely to have fatigue and psychological distress similar to their child, while fathers showed no such pattern.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Allostatic load is associated with symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Goertzel, Benjamin N, Pennachin, Cassio, de Souza Coelho, Lucio et al.·Pharmacogenomics·2006

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients have higher 'allostatic load'—a measure of stress on the body's systems including metabolism, heart function, and hormones. Researchers compared 43 ME/CFS patients to 60 healthy controls and found that ME/CFS patients with higher allostatic load reported worse physical function, more body pain, and more frequent symptoms. The study suggests the body's stress response systems may play a role in ME/CFS severity.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Diurnal excretion of urinary cortisol, cortisone, and cortisol metabolites in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jerjes, Walid K, Peters, Timothy J, Taylor, Norman F et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study measured stress hormone levels in urine samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people throughout the day. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of certain stress hormones (cortisol and cortisone) compared to healthy controls, though the daily pattern of these hormones was normal. Interestingly, when they looked at other related hormone measurements, they didn't see the same difference, which suggests the stress response system may not be working as hard in ME/CFS.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

Li, Yong-Jie, Wang, De-Xin, Bai, Xiao-Li et al.·Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2005

This study examined 82 Chinese patients with ME/CFS to understand what symptoms they experience and what might be causing their illness. Researchers found that most patients had memory and attention problems alongside fatigue, many showed signs of anxiety or depression, and some had low levels of a substance called L-carnitine (which helps produce energy) or evidence of a viral infection. When patients took L-carnitine supplements, their levels improved and symptoms got better.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Samoĭlovych, V A, Hutarieva, N V, Tondiĭ, L D·Likars'ka sprava·2005

Researchers studied 60 students with chronic fatigue syndrome at a health facility, dividing them into two groups receiving different types of physical activity: one group did water-based exercise therapy while the other did conventional exercise classes and contrast showers. By measuring changes in the electrical properties of cells from the mouth's lining, researchers found that the water-based therapy group showed improved electrical cell activity that matched their clinical improvement, suggesting physical treatments may help restore normal body function in ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Cognitive function and psychological characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Li, Yong-jie, Gao, Xu-guang, Wang, De-Xin et al.·Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2005

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects thinking and memory in 91 Chinese patients compared to 30 healthy people. Researchers found that 90% of ME/CFS patients had problems with memory and attention, and most also experienced depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. The results show that ME/CFS causes real cognitive problems that are different from those seen in psychiatric illnesses alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue in a population sample: definitions and heterogeneity.

Sullivan, Patrick F, Pedersen, Nancy L, Jacks, Andreas et al.·Psychological medicine·2005

This study looked at how doctors define ME/CFS by surveying over 31,000 Swedish adults about their fatigue symptoms. The researchers found that the current official checklist for diagnosing ME/CFS (requiring 4 out of 8 specific symptoms) doesn't match how fatigue actually varies in real populations. Using statistical analysis, they identified a recognizable ME/CFS-like illness pattern, but concluded that a simpler definition focusing on severe, disabling fatigue might work better.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Family health and characteristics in chronic fatigue syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and emotional disorders of childhood.

Rangel, Luiza, Garralda, M Elena, Jeffs, Jim et al.·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·2005

This study looked at families of children with ME/CFS and compared them to families of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA, an autoimmune joint disease) and emotional disorders like anxiety or depression. Researchers found that parents of children with ME/CFS were more likely to have ME/CFS-like symptoms themselves, experience greater emotional stress, and report their child's illness as more burdensome to family life compared to parents of children with JRA.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Oxidative stress levels are raised in chronic fatigue syndrome and are associated with clinical symptoms.

Kennedy, Gwen, Spence, Vance A, McLaren, Margaret et al.·Free radical biology & medicine·2005

This study measured harmful molecules called free radicals in the blood of ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of these damaging molecules, and in patients without heart disease risk factors, the amount of free radicals correlated with how severe their symptoms were, particularly fatigue after exertion and joint pain.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

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Screening for psychological distress using internet administration of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The management of children with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Long-term outcomes of an integrative rehabilitation program on quality of life: a follow-up study.

Azithromycin in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an analysis of clinical data.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: an example of cytokine mediated sickness behaviour?

Early adverse experience and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a population-based study.

A case control study of premorbid and currently reported physical activity levels in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Coping styles in people with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the general population of Wichita, KS.

Differential diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

An empirical delineation of the heterogeneity of chronic unexplained fatigue in women.

Lower serum zinc in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): relationships to immune dysfunctions and relevance for the oxidative stress status in CFS.

Mirrored symptoms in mother and child with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Allostatic load is associated with symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Diurnal excretion of urinary cortisol, cortisone, and cortisol metabolites in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

[Cognitive function and psychological characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Chronic fatigue in a population sample: definitions and heterogeneity.

Family health and characteristics in chronic fatigue syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and emotional disorders of childhood.

Oxidative stress levels are raised in chronic fatigue syndrome and are associated with clinical symptoms.

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