ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2782 studies

341–360 of 2,782 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Two Different Hemodynamic Responses in ME/CFS Patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome During Head-Up Tilt Testing.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Visser, Frans C·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

This study looked at how the bodies of ME/CFS patients with POTS (a condition causing rapid heart rate when standing) respond to positional changes differently than healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients with POTS fall into two groups: those with a smaller heart rate increase appear to have blood pooling in their legs, while those with a larger heart rate increase seem to have an overactive stress response system. These two different patterns might benefit from different treatments.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

A Single-Center Pilot Study of Therapeutic Apheresis in Patients with Severe Post-COVID Syndrome.

Korth, Johannes, Steenblock, Charlotte, Walther, Romy et al.·Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme·2024

This small study looked at whether a blood-filtering treatment called apheresis could help 20 people with long COVID symptoms similar to ME/CFS. The researchers found that the treatment reduced harmful antibodies in patients' blood and many patients reported feeling better, with less fatigue, muscle pain, and post-exertional malaise. While these results are promising, the study was small and didn't use a control group, so we need larger tests to confirm whether the treatment truly works.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Impaired Hand Grip Strength Correlates with Greater Disability and Symptom Severity in Post-COVID Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Paffrath, Anna, Kim, Laura, Kedor, Claudia et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

Researchers tested hand grip strength in 144 women with long-COVID symptoms, comparing those who met strict ME/CFS criteria (78 patients) with those who had other long-COVID symptoms. People with ME/CFS showed weaker grip strength and more severe disability, fatigue, and symptom worsening after activity compared to other long-COVID patients. Weak grip strength appeared to be connected to the core symptoms that define ME/CFS, suggesting muscle weakness in ME/CFS may share a common cause with other hallmark symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses during a 2-day CPET in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: translating reduced oxygen consumption to impairment status to treatment considerations.

Keller, Betsy, Receno, Candace N, Franconi, Carl J et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2024

This study tested 84 people with ME/CFS and 71 healthy controls on an exercise bike on two days, 24 hours apart. People with ME/CFS performed worse on the second day of testing—their oxygen use, heart rate, and exercise capacity all declined—while healthy people stayed about the same. This objective decline mirrors the real-world experience of post-exertional malaise, where ME/CFS patients feel worse after physical activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Immunological Patient Stratification in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Rohrhofer, Johanna, Hauser, Lisa, Lettenmaier, Lisa et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

This study found that ME/CFS patients have different types of immune system problems. Researchers divided patients into two groups: those with weakened immune systems and those with normal immune systems. The two groups showed different patterns of illness—one group had low levels of a protective immune protein, while the other group had signs that their gut barrier was leaking. This suggests that ME/CFS may not be one disease but rather multiple conditions that need different treatment approaches.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Association Between Chronic Pain and Fatigue Severity with Weather and Air Pollution Among Females with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Jones, Chloe Lisette, Haskin, Olivia, Younger, Jarred Wayne·International journal of environmental research and public health·2024

This study looked at whether weather and air quality affect pain and fatigue in women with ME/CFS. Fifty-eight women tracked their daily pain and fatigue levels for about 2 months while researchers compared their symptoms to local weather and air pollution data. The results showed that worse air quality, lower wind speeds, and higher levels of certain pollutants were linked to days when patients experienced more pain and fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Comparison of the symptom networks of long-COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome: From modularity to connectionism.

Hyland, Michael E, Antonacci, Yuri, Bacon, Alison M·Scandinavian journal of psychology·2024

This study compared how symptoms are connected to each other in long-COVID and ME/CFS patients, along with people who have other conditions like fibromyalgia and IBS. Researchers found that while long-COVID and ME/CFS are related conditions, their symptoms connect differently—ME/CFS symptoms form more separate clusters, whereas long-COVID symptoms are more tightly linked together. The study suggests that these conditions may work through a network-like system in the body rather than a single broken mechanism.

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Data-independent LC-MS/MS analysis of ME/CFS plasma reveals a dysregulated coagulation system, endothelial dysfunction, downregulation of complement machinery.

Nunes, Massimo, Vlok, Mare, Proal, Amy et al.·Cardiovascular diabetology·2024

Researchers analyzed blood proteins in 15 ME/CFS patients and 10 healthy controls to look for differences that might explain ME/CFS symptoms. They found that ME/CFS patients had abnormal levels of proteins involved in blood clotting, blood vessel function, and immune system regulation. These findings suggest that problems with blood clotting and blood vessel health may play a role in ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Distinguishing features of long COVID identified through immune profiling.

Klein, Jon, Wood, Jamie, Jaycox, Jillian R et al.·Nature·2023

Researchers studied 275 people with and without long COVID to understand what happens in the immune system. They found that people with long COVID have different patterns of immune cells and antibodies, including stronger responses to past viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus, and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Using computer analysis, they identified specific immune markers that could help identify who has long COVID.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Mood Symptoms and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Due to Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Are Associated with Immune Activation and Aberrations in the Erythron.

Almulla, Abbas F, Abdul Jaleel, Al-Karrar Kais, Abo Algon, Ali Abbas et al.·Brain sciences·2023

This study looked at 63 people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 30 healthy controls to understand why MS patients experience chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Researchers found that about half of the MS patients had signs of immune system overactivation and problems with red blood cell levels. These immune and blood abnormalities were linked to their fatigue and mood symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Characteristics of patients with panic disorder attended in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Roca, Miquel, Villamor, Antonio Torres, Molinera, Vicente Gasull et al.·Atencion primaria·2023

This study looked at how often panic disorder occurs in people visiting primary care clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers found that about 5.3% of patients had panic disorder, with more cases in women. People with panic disorder were more likely to have money problems, high stress, and other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Proteomics and cytokine analyses distinguish myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome cases from controls.

Giloteaux, Ludovic, Li, Jiayin, Hornig, Mady et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers studied tiny particles called extracellular vesicles found in the blood of ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. They found that ME/CFS patients had more of these particles and they contained different levels of immune chemicals, particularly one called IL2. Using computer algorithms to analyze 20 different blood proteins, they could correctly identify ME/CFS patients about 86% of the time, suggesting that blood tests might one day help diagnose this condition.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Predictors of impaired functioning among long COVID patients.

Jason, Leonard A, Dorri, Joseph A·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2023

This study followed Long COVID patients from their first two weeks of illness through about five months later to understand which early symptoms predict worse long-term outcomes. Researchers found that people who experienced problems with their autonomic nervous system (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control) and stomach issues early on were more likely to have difficulty returning to work and family life. The same early symptoms were also linked to developing ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Characteristics of Persistent Symptoms Manifested after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Specialized Clinic for Vaccination-Related Adverse Events.

Tokumasu, Kazuki, Fujita-Yamashita, Manami, Sunada, Naruhiko et al.·Vaccines·2023

Researchers at a specialized clinic in Japan studied 121 patients who experienced long-lasting symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The most common symptoms were numbness or tingling sensations (28% of patients), extreme tiredness (25%), fever (17%), and headaches (17%). Some patients developed serious conditions including ME/CFS, and most symptoms started within a week of vaccination but lasted months or longer.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Pre-pandemic activity on a myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome support forum is highly associated with later activity on a long COVID support forum for a variety of reasons: A mixed methods study.

Meyerson, William U, Hoyle, Rick H·PloS one·2023

This study found that people with ME/CFS who were active on online support forums before the COVID-19 pandemic were much more likely to later join long COVID support forums than people from other health communities. By examining nearly 7,500 Reddit users, researchers discovered that previous ME/CFS forum activity was the strongest predictor of who would participate in long COVID communities. People shared that they joined both communities to find support from others with similar experiences and because they hoped long COVID's increased public attention might help validate ME/CFS as a real illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Physical health of Post-9/11 U.S. Military veterans in the context of Healthy People 2020 targeted topic areas: Results from the Comparative Health Assessment Interview Research Study.

Cypel, Yasmin S, Vogt, Dawne, Maguen, Shira et al.·Preventive medicine reports·2023

This study compared the health of post-9/11 military veterans to non-veterans in the United States and found that veterans experience significantly higher rates of several health conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), back and neck pain, hearing loss, and traumatic brain injury. Women and men veterans had different patterns of illness—for example, female veterans reported more cases of CFS and other conditions, while male veterans had more heart-related problems. The researchers suggest that national health guidelines should better account for veterans' specific health needs.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Fatigue, Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Long COVID Are Strongly Predicted by Neuroimmune and Neuro-Oxidative Pathways Which Are Caused by the Inflammation during Acute Infection.

Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Al-Rubaye, Haneen Tahseen, Almulla, Abbas F et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2023

This study examined whether severe COVID-19 infection—particularly high fever and low oxygen levels—can trigger lasting fatigue, depression, and anxiety through inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Researchers compared 86 long COVID patients with 39 healthy controls and found that about one-third of long COVID patients had very high signs of immune activation and cellular damage. The study suggests that the severity of initial COVID infection may predict who develops long-term symptoms through measurable changes in inflammatory markers.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Characterizing Sjögren-Associated Fatigue: A Distinct Phenotype from ME/CFS.

Kim, Laura, Kedor, Claudia, Buttgereit, Frank et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2023

This study compared fatigue in people with Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disease affecting moisture-producing glands) to fatigue in ME/CFS patients. While both groups experience severe tiredness, the researchers found important differences: Sjögren's patients recovered their muscle strength within an hour of activity, whereas ME/CFS patients typically experience worsening symptoms hours after exertion. Only a small portion of Sjögren's patients met ME/CFS diagnostic criteria, suggesting these are distinct conditions despite some symptom overlap.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to selenoprotein P in chronic fatigue syndrome suggest selenium transport impairment and acquired resistance to thyroid hormone.

Sun, Qian, Oltra, Elisa, Dijck-Brouwer, D A Janneke et al.·Redox biology·2023

Some people with ME/CFS have antibodies that attack a protein called selenoprotein P, which normally helps transport selenium (a mineral needed for thyroid function) throughout the body. This study found that ME/CFS patients with these antibodies have lower selenium levels and struggle to convert thyroid hormone into its active form, which could explain why they feel tired and have other thyroid-like symptoms even when standard thyroid tests appear normal.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not required

Comparison of a 20 degree and 70 degree tilt test in adolescent myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Visser, Frans C·Frontiers in pediatrics·2023

This study tested whether a gentler tilt test could detect blood flow problems in teenagers with ME/CFS, since the standard aggressive tilt test sometimes causes fainting in young patients. Researchers found that a mild 20-degree tilt reduced blood flow to the brain almost as much as the standard 70-degree tilt, but caused far fewer problems like fainting. This suggests doctors might be able to use a gentler test to diagnose blood flow issues in young ME/CFS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

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Two Different Hemodynamic Responses in ME/CFS Patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome During Head-Up Tilt Testing.

A Single-Center Pilot Study of Therapeutic Apheresis in Patients with Severe Post-COVID Syndrome.

Impaired Hand Grip Strength Correlates with Greater Disability and Symptom Severity in Post-COVID Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Cardiopulmonary and metabolic responses during a 2-day CPET in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: translating reduced oxygen consumption to impairment status to treatment considerations.

Immunological Patient Stratification in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Association Between Chronic Pain and Fatigue Severity with Weather and Air Pollution Among Females with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Comparison of the symptom networks of long-COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome: From modularity to connectionism.

Data-independent LC-MS/MS analysis of ME/CFS plasma reveals a dysregulated coagulation system, endothelial dysfunction, downregulation of complement machinery.

Distinguishing features of long COVID identified through immune profiling.

Mood Symptoms and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Due to Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Are Associated with Immune Activation and Aberrations in the Erythron.

Characteristics of patients with panic disorder attended in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional multicenter study.

Proteomics and cytokine analyses distinguish myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome cases from controls.

Predictors of impaired functioning among long COVID patients.

Characteristics of Persistent Symptoms Manifested after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Specialized Clinic for Vaccination-Related Adverse Events.

Pre-pandemic activity on a myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome support forum is highly associated with later activity on a long COVID support forum for a variety of reasons: A mixed methods study.

Physical health of Post-9/11 U.S. Military veterans in the context of Healthy People 2020 targeted topic areas: Results from the Comparative Health Assessment Interview Research Study.

Chronic Fatigue, Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Long COVID Are Strongly Predicted by Neuroimmune and Neuro-Oxidative Pathways Which Are Caused by the Inflammation during Acute Infection.

Characterizing Sjögren-Associated Fatigue: A Distinct Phenotype from ME/CFS.

Autoantibodies to selenoprotein P in chronic fatigue syndrome suggest selenium transport impairment and acquired resistance to thyroid hormone.

Comparison of a 20 degree and 70 degree tilt test in adolescent myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) patients.

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