ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

361–380 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Consequences of sarcolemma fatigue on maximal muscle strength production in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Retornaz, Frédérique, Stavris, Chloé, Jammes, Yves·Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)·2023

This study looked at whether problems with how muscle cells communicate during and after exercise might explain why people with ME/CFS have weak muscles. Researchers compared two groups of ME/CFS patients—those whose muscles showed electrical signal problems after exercise and those who didn't. They found that patients with these electrical problems had weaker grip strength both before and after exercise, and their symptoms got worse after physical activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The association between the number of symptoms and the severity of Post-COVID-Fatigue after SARS-CoV-2 infection treated in an outpatient setting.

Schmidbauer, Lena, Kirchberger, Inge, Goßlau, Yvonne et al.·Journal of neurology·2023

This study looked at 425 people who had mild-to-moderate COVID-19 treated as outpatients and followed them for about 8 months afterward. Researchers found that 37% of these people developed long-lasting fatigue (Post-COVID-Fatigue), and those who had more symptoms during their initial infection and ongoing symptoms were more likely to experience severe fatigue. The more symptoms someone had, the worse their fatigue tended to be.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Evidence of a Novel Mitochondrial Signature in Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

van Eeden, Charmaine, Redmond, Desiree, Mohazab, Naima et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study looked at people with a connective tissue disease called systemic sclerosis who also experience severe fatigue (ME/CFS symptoms). Researchers found that fatigued patients had different patterns in how their cells' energy-producing structures (mitochondria) work compared to non-fatigued patients. These differences involved specific genes related to energy production, suggesting that measuring these genes might help doctors identify which systemic sclerosis patients have ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The physio-affective phenome of major depression is strongly associated with biomarkers of astroglial and neuronal projection toxicity which in turn are associated with peripheral inflammation, insulin resistance and lowered calcium.

Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Al-Naqeeb, Tabarek Hadi, Almulla, Abbas F et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2023

This study examined whether brain and nerve damage markers in the blood are connected to depression symptoms and other physical complaints. Researchers measured several proteins in the blood of people with depression and compared them to healthy controls, finding that markers of brain cell and nerve damage—along with inflammation and insulin resistance—together explained about 61% of the severity of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and physical symptoms.

NeuroinflammationBiomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Influence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Codiagnosis on the Relationship between Perceived and Objective Psychoneuro-Immunoendocrine Disorders in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Otero, Eduardo, Gálvez, Isabel, Ortega, Eduardo et al.·Biomedicines·2023

This study compared women with fibromyalgia (FM), some of whom also had been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), to healthy women. Researchers measured both what patients reported feeling (like stress and pain levels) and actual biological markers in their blood (like stress hormones and immune chemicals). They found that FM patients generally felt worse than healthy women, and their blood work matched this—showing higher stress hormones and lower mood-boosting chemicals. Interestingly, FM patients who also had a CFS diagnosis showed different blood markers than those with FM alone, suggesting these two conditions may overlap in ways that current diagnosis methods don't catch.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

End-Tidal CO2 in Patients with Panic Disorder, Stress-Related or Functional Syndromes, Versus Healthy Controls.

Ramakers, Indra, Van Den Houte, Maaike, Van Oudenhove, Lukas et al.·Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback·2023

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, burnout, and panic disorder breathe differently compared to healthy people. Researchers measured carbon dioxide levels in participants' breath while they rested and during a breathing challenge. They found that people with chronic conditions like ME/CFS showed less active stress responses in their breathing, while those with acute stress conditions showed overactive breathing patterns.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Uplifts and hassles are related to worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective study.

Friedberg, Fred, Adamowicz, Jenna L, Bruckenthal, Patricia et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This study tracked 128 ME/CFS patients over six months to see how daily pleasant and unpleasant events related to whether their illness got better, stayed the same, or got worse. Patients who worsened experienced more intense unpleasant events and had fewer pleasant events over time, while those who improved showed the opposite pattern. The findings suggest that the balance between daily hassles and uplifts may play a role in how ME/CFS progresses.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Fatigue presentation, severity, and related outcomes in a prospective cohort following post-COVID-19 hospitalization in British Columbia, Canada.

Magel, Tianna, Meagher, Emily, Boulter, Travis et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2023

This study followed 88 people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 to see how many experienced long-lasting fatigue afterward. Two-thirds of patients had fatigue at 3 months, though this improved somewhat by 6 months, with about 60% still experiencing it. People who had more existing health conditions before COVID-19 were more likely to develop fatigue, suggesting that previous health status may influence recovery.

Long COVID Overlap

E2 ModeratePEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

Robuvit® reduces fatigue after chemotherapy for colon cancer. A pilot registry study.

Belcaro, Gianni, Cox, David, Cesarone, Maria R et al.·Minerva surgery·2023

This study tested whether Robuvit®, an oak wood extract supplement, could help reduce fatigue in people recovering from chemotherapy for colon cancer. Over six weeks, patients taking Robuvit® showed greater improvements in tiredness, strength, fitness, and mood compared to those receiving standard care alone, with no reported side effects.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

In Schizophrenia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- and Fibromyalgia-Like Symptoms are Driven by Breakdown of the Paracellular Pathway with Increased Zonulin and Immune Activation-Associated Neurotoxicity.

Maes, Michael, Andrés-Rodríguez, Laura, Vojdani, Aristo et al.·CNS & neurological disorders drug targets·2023

This study looked at people with schizophrenia who also experience fatigue and pain symptoms similar to ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers found that these symptoms may be caused by a breakdown in the intestinal barrier (the paracellular pathway), which allows harmful substances into the bloodstream and triggers immune system activation. This immune activation then produces neurotoxic byproducts that may cause the fatigue and pain symptoms.

NeuroinflammationImmune 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 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Association analysis between symptomology and herpesvirus IgG antibody concentrations in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis.

Domingues, Tiago Dias, Malato, João, Grabowska, Anna D et al.·Heliyon·2023

This study looked at whether past infections with common herpesviruses (like the virus that causes cold sores or chickenpox) are connected to specific symptoms in ME/CFS patients. Researchers tested blood samples from 222 ME/CFS patients and 46 MS patients to measure antibodies against six different herpesviruses, then compared these results to reported symptoms. They found some connections—particularly between a virus called HSV1 and brain fog in ME/CFS patients—but overall, herpesvirus antibodies explained symptoms better in MS patients than in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Coenzyme Q10 + alpha lipoic acid for chronic COVID syndrome.

Barletta, Maria Angela, Marino, Gerardo, Spagnolo, Barbara et al.·Clinical and experimental medicine·2023

This study tested whether a combination of two supplements—coenzyme Q10 and alpha lipoic acid—could help people with chronic COVID syndrome who experience fatigue, muscle pain, and sleep problems. Researchers compared 116 people who took these supplements with 58 people who received no treatment. More than half of the people taking the supplements saw significant improvement in their fatigue, while only a small percentage of the untreated group improved.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

A unique circular RNA expression pattern in the peripheral blood of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Cheng, Yuning, Xu, Si-Mei, Takenaka, Konii et al.·Gene·2023

Researchers looked at a special type of genetic material called circular RNA (circRNA) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and healthy people, measuring it before and after exercise. They found that ME/CFS patients have a different pattern of circular RNAs compared to healthy controls, and unlike healthy people, ME/CFS patients didn't show the normal increase in these molecules after exercise. The study identified 14 specific circular RNAs that were present in ME/CFS patients but completely absent in healthy controls, suggesting these could potentially be used as markers to help diagnose the disease.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Conners Continuous Performance Test CPT3™: Is it a reliable marker to predict neurocognitive dysfunction in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

Fernández-Quirós, Judith, Lacasa-Cazcarra, Marcos, Alegre-Martín, Jose et al.·Frontiers in psychology·2023

This study tested whether a computer-based attention test called CPT3™ can reliably detect thinking and concentration problems in ME/CFS patients. Researchers compared 158 ME/CFS patients with 67 healthy people and found that ME/CFS patients performed significantly worse on measures of attention, focus, and reaction speed. The test successfully identified differences between the two groups, suggesting it could be a useful tool for doctors to help diagnose or monitor ME/CFS.

Cognitive Impairment

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

Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Show Characteristic Heart Rate Variability Profiles Reflecting Autonomic Dysregulations: Differentiation by Linear Discriminant Analysis.

Shinba, Toshikazu, Kuratsune, Daisuke, Shinba, Shuntaro et al.·Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at heart rhythm patterns in people with ME/CFS and depression to see if these patterns could help doctors tell the two conditions apart. Researchers measured how heart rate changes during rest, mental tasks, and recovery in both groups. They found that while both conditions affect the heart's nervous system control, the patterns are different enough that a computer analysis could correctly identify which condition a person had about 92% of the time.

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 unclearCross-Sectional

[Implications of the quality of the doctor-patient relationship on health in adult ME/CFS patients. A qualitative public health study from a patien perspective].

Habermann-Horstmeier, Lotte, Horstmeier, Lukas M·MMW Fortschritte der Medizin·2023

This study surveyed 544 ME/CFS patients about their experiences with doctors. Most patients reported feeling unsupported, misunderstood, and dismissed—with doctors not recognizing ME/CFS as a real biological disease. These poor relationships with healthcare providers led to serious consequences: patients avoided doctors, lost trust in medicine, and some even experienced thoughts of suicide. The researchers conclude that doctors need to treat ME/CFS patients as experts in their own illness and develop better, patient-centered care approaches.

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.

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Evidence browser

Consequences of sarcolemma fatigue on maximal muscle strength production in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The association between the number of symptoms and the severity of Post-COVID-Fatigue after SARS-CoV-2 infection treated in an outpatient setting.

Evidence of a Novel Mitochondrial Signature in Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The physio-affective phenome of major depression is strongly associated with biomarkers of astroglial and neuronal projection toxicity which in turn are associated with peripheral inflammation, insulin resistance and lowered calcium.

Influence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Codiagnosis on the Relationship between Perceived and Objective Psychoneuro-Immunoendocrine Disorders in Women with Fibromyalgia.

End-Tidal CO2 in Patients with Panic Disorder, Stress-Related or Functional Syndromes, Versus Healthy Controls.

Uplifts and hassles are related to worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective study.

Fatigue presentation, severity, and related outcomes in a prospective cohort following post-COVID-19 hospitalization in British Columbia, Canada.

Robuvit® reduces fatigue after chemotherapy for colon cancer. A pilot registry study.

In Schizophrenia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome- and Fibromyalgia-Like Symptoms are Driven by Breakdown of the Paracellular Pathway with Increased Zonulin and Immune Activation-Associated Neurotoxicity.

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

Association analysis between symptomology and herpesvirus IgG antibody concentrations in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and multiple sclerosis.

Coenzyme Q10 + alpha lipoic acid for chronic COVID syndrome.

A unique circular RNA expression pattern in the peripheral blood of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

The Conners Continuous Performance Test CPT3™: Is it a reliable marker to predict neurocognitive dysfunction in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

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.

Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Show Characteristic Heart Rate Variability Profiles Reflecting Autonomic Dysregulations: Differentiation by Linear Discriminant Analysis.

Predictors of impaired functioning among long COVID patients.

[Implications of the quality of the doctor-patient relationship on health in adult ME/CFS patients. A qualitative public health study from a patien perspective].

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.

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