Evidence browser

The influence of age on transfer factor treatment of cellular immunodeficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome and/or chronic viral infections.

Hana, I, Vrubel, J, Pekarek, J et al.·Biotherapy (Dordrecht, Netherlands)·1996

This study looked at 222 patients with weak immune systems, many of whom also had ME/CFS and/or chronic viral infections (EBV or CMV). They were treated with transfer factor, a type of immune-boosting therapy, given as injections over 8 weeks. The researchers found that younger patients improved more often than older patients, with failure rates rising significantly in those over 54 years old.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Selective impairment of auditory processing in chronic fatigue syndrome: a comparison with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls.

Johnson, S K, DeLuca, J, Diamond, B J et al.·Perceptual and motor skills·1996

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have trouble processing sounds specifically, or if they struggle with processing information in general. Researchers compared people with ME/CFS, people with multiple sclerosis, and healthy people on two similar tasks—one using sounds and one using visuals. People with ME/CFS performed worse on the sound-based task but did better on the visual task, suggesting their brains may have particular difficulty processing auditory information.

Cognitive Impairment

'Seronegative' Sjögren's syndrome manifested as a subset of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nishikai, M, Akiya, K, Tojo, T et al.·British journal of rheumatology·1996

This study looked at whether some people diagnosed with ME/CFS who also experience dry eyes and mouth might actually have a related condition called Sjögren's syndrome. Researchers tested one-third of ME/CFS patients with these dry symptoms against several official diagnostic criteria for Sjögren's syndrome and found they met the criteria. However, these patients tested negative for the antibodies typically found in Sjögren's syndrome, making them an unusual variant of the disease.

Diagnostics

Lymphocyte subsets, apoptosis, and cytokines in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Swanink, C M, Vercoulen, J H, Galama, J M et al.·The Journal of infectious diseases·1996

This study compared immune system markers in blood samples from 76 ME/CFS patients and 69 healthy controls to see if immune abnormalities could explain fatigue severity. Researchers found one immune marker (CD11b on CD8 cells) was lower in ME/CFS patients, but most other immune measures were similar between groups, and none of these markers correlated with how severe a patient's fatigue or depression was.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Serum carnitine and disabling fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Fukazawa, T, Sasaki, H, Kikuchi, S et al.·Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences·1996

This study tested whether a substance called carnitine, which helps muscles use fat for energy, might be low in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and could explain their severe fatigue. Researchers compared carnitine levels in 25 MS patients and healthy people of similar age and sex, but found no differences between groups or between MS patients with and without severe fatigue.

Energy Metabolism

The localization of pain in chronic fatigue syndrome on a pain drawing according to grid areas.

Líndal, E, Bergmann, S, Thorlacius, S et al.·Perceptual and motor skills·1996

This study looked at where people with ME/CFS experience pain by having them mark painful areas on a body diagram divided into sections. The researchers wanted to understand the pattern of pain locations across different body regions in ME/CFS patients. This type of mapping can help doctors better understand how pain is distributed in the condition.

Pain and Sensitization

Descriptive epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome based on a nationwide survey in Japan.

Minowa, M, Jiamo, M·Journal of epidemiology·1996

Researchers surveyed hospitals across Japan in 1992 to understand how many people have ME/CFS and how it spreads. They found that about 0.85 cases per 100,000 people were diagnosed that year, with slightly more women affected than men. The number of cases appeared to be growing from 1992 to 1993, and a small percentage of cases started after an infection.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not required

Behavioural effects of infectious mononucleosis.

Hall, S R, Smith, A P·Neuropsychobiology·1996

This study looked at how infectious mononucleosis (IM) affects the brain and behavior in both the short and long term. Researchers tested memory, attention, coordination, and mood in people with acute IM, people who had recovered months earlier, and healthy controls. They found that acute IM caused similar brain and behavior problems to the flu, while people recovering from IM months later showed patterns similar to those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Cognitive Impairment

Interferon-alpha versus somatostatin or the combination of both in gastro-enteropancreatic tumours.

Oberg, K·Digestion·1996

This 1996 study tested two medications—interferon-alpha and somatostatin—for treating neuroendocrine tumors (hormone-producing cancers). Interferon-alpha was found to cause fatigue and flu-like symptoms in patients, and in some cases led to low-grade chronic fatigue syndrome. When the two drugs were combined, they worked better together, improved symptoms, and were better tolerated than interferon alone.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A case-control study to assess possible triggers and cofactors in chronic fatigue syndrome.

MacDonald, K L, Osterholm, M T, LeDell, K H et al.·The American journal of medicine·1996

This study compared 47 people with ME/CFS to 47 matched healthy controls to identify what might trigger or contribute to the illness. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS were more likely to have exercised regularly before getting sick, and women with ME/CFS were more likely to have never had children. Depression was more common after ME/CFS developed, though it wasn't more common before illness onset.

Post-Exertional Malaise

Possible correlation between Borna disease virus infection and Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kitani, T, Kuratsune, H, Fuke, I et al.·Microbiology and immunology·1996

This 1996 study investigated whether a virus called Borna disease virus (BDV) might be connected to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Borna disease virus naturally infects animals like horses and sheep, and researchers found evidence of this virus or antibodies to it in some ME/CFS patients. The study suggests there may be a link between BDV infection and ME/CFS symptoms, though more research is needed to understand if and how this virus contributes to the condition.

A national assessment of the service, support, and housing preferences by persons with chronic fatigue syndrome. Toward a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Jason, L A, Ferrari, J R, Taylor, R R et al.·Evaluation & the health professions·1996

Nearly 1,000 people with ME/CFS across North America were surveyed about what services and support would help them most. The survey found that patients wanted better education about ME/CFS for doctors and the public, and preferred support groups and self-help resources over other types of treatment assistance. These results can help guide the development of programs specifically designed to support people with ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A comparison of the characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome in primary and tertiary care.

Euba, R, Chalder, T, Deale, A et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·1996

This study compared ME/CFS patients seen in general doctor's offices with those referred to a specialist clinic. Patients at the specialist clinic had more severe fatigue and physical symptoms, and were more functionally disabled, but were often wealthier and more likely to believe their illness had a physical cause. Interestingly, nearly half of those referred to the specialist clinic didn't actually meet the official criteria for ME/CFS.

Analysis of dietary intake and selected nutrient concentrations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Grant, J E, Veldee, M S, Buchwald, D·Journal of the American Dietetic Association·1996

This study looked at what people with ME/CFS were eating and measured specific nutrients in their blood and body. Researchers compared the diets and nutrient levels of ME/CFS patients to see if there were any patterns or deficiencies that might be related to their illness. This was one of the first studies to systematically examine nutrition in ME/CFS patients.

Cognitive functioning in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Michiels, V, Cluydts, R, Fischler, B et al.·Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·1996

This study found that people with ME/CFS performed worse than healthy controls on thinking and memory tests. Patients showed slower processing speed, difficulty concentrating, and trouble learning and remembering new information. However, the researchers noted that cognitive problems varied widely between patients, so not everyone with ME/CFS experiences the same level of difficulty.

Cognitive Impairment

The value of the dehydroepiandrosterone-annexed vitamin C infusion treatment in the clinical control of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). II. Characterization of CFS patients with special reference to their response to a new vitamin C infusion treatment.

Kodama, M, Kodama, T, Murakami, M·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·1996

This 1996 study examined whether high-dose vitamin C infusions, with or without a hormone called DHEA added, could help treat ME/CFS. Researchers treated 313 patients with chronic pneumonia-like illness that matched ME/CFS symptoms, often combined with antibiotics. The authors found that the combination of two types of vitamin C infusions worked better than one type alone, suggesting that low levels of certain body hormones might play a role in ME/CFS.