ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2807 studies

361–380 of 2,807 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Sex and disease severity-based analysis of steroid hormones in ME/CFS.

Pipper, Cornelia, Bliem, Linda, León, Luis E et al.·Journal of endocrinological investigation·2024

Researchers measured hormone levels in the blood of ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. They found that certain hormones—including cortisol-related compounds and progesterone—were different in people with ME/CFS, and the differences varied depending on whether patients had mild/moderate or severe disease and their sex. These hormone patterns might help doctors better identify and categorize ME/CFS in the future.

Biomarkers

E2 ModeratePEM unclearRegistry-Resource

Longterm course of neuropsychological symptoms and ME/CFS after SARS-CoV-2-infection: a prospective registry study.

Reuken, P A, Besteher, B, Finke, K et al.·European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience·2024

This study followed over 1,000 people who had long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection. Researchers found that about 31% of patients met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS at their first visit, but this dropped to 19% at a second visit months later. While patients reported feeling less fatigued and having fewer concentration problems over time, many continued to experience long-lasting symptoms that significantly affected their daily lives.

Cognitive ImpairmentLong COVID Overlap

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Impact on Quality of Life (QoL) of Persons with ME/CFS.

Muirhead, Nina L, Vyas, Jui, Ephgrave, Rachel et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2024

This study surveyed 876 people with ME/CFS from 26 countries to understand how the condition affects their daily lives. People with ME/CFS reported very poor quality of life, with an average health rating of 36 out of 100. The most common problems were difficulty doing everyday activities (97%), pain (92%), and trouble with movement (83%).

Pain and Sensitization

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 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 unclearCross-Sectional

["The idea of rehabilitation will have to be completely rethought for this illness" - Qualitative results of an online survey on patients' experiences with inpatient rehabilitation for post COVID-19 condition (long COVID)].

Hammer, Sabine, Schmidt, Julia, Conrad, Annett et al.·Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen·2024

German researchers asked 1,191 long COVID patients about their experiences with inpatient rehabilitation programs. About half reported their health got worse during rehabilitation, mainly from exercise programs that were too intense. The study found that standard rehabilitation designed for other illnesses often doesn't work for long COVID patients with post-exertional malaise, and programs should instead focus on teaching patients how to pace their activities safely.

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 unclearCross-Sectional

Prevalence and determinants of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection (Long COVID) among adults in Mexico during 2022: a retrospective analysis of nationally representative data.

Bello-Chavolla, Omar Yaxmehen, Fermín-Martínez, Carlos A, Ramírez-García, Daniel et al.·Lancet regional health. Americas·2024

This study looked at how many adults in Mexico experienced long-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 infection in 2022. Researchers found that about 1 in 5 people who had COVID-19 reported ongoing problems like fatigue, muscle pain, brain fog, and loss of taste or smell. The study showed that people who caught COVID-19 multiple times, had depression, or lived in poorer areas were more likely to develop these long-term symptoms, while vaccination and infection with newer variants reduced risk.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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

Association of physical symptoms with accelerometer-measured movement behaviors and functional capacity in individuals with Long COVID.

Rosa-Souza, Francisco José, Freire, Yuri Alberto, Galliano, Leony Morgana et al.·Scientific reports·2024

This study looked at 102 people with Long COVID to understand how specific symptoms affect their ability to move and be physically active. Researchers used activity trackers to measure daily movement and tested how far people could walk and how quickly they could stand up from a chair. They found that fatigue and post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity) were linked to lower daily step counts, while shortness of breath was linked to poorer performance on physical tests.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredLongitudinal

Cognitive assessment in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a cognitive substudy of the multi-site clinical assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM).

Lange, Gudrun, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Chen, Yang et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2024

This study tested cognitive function (thinking and memory skills) in 261 people with ME/CFS and 165 healthy people using a computer-based screening test. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS process information more slowly than healthy people, but their accuracy was similar. Importantly, a single intense exercise test did not make cognitive problems worse, though the full clinic visit itself did cause some cognitive decline in both groups.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Hypothalamus Connectivity in Adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Byrne, Hollie, Knight, Sarah J, Josev, Elisha K et al.·Journal of neuroscience research·2024

Researchers used brain imaging (MRI) to look at a small brain region called the hypothalamus in teenagers with ME/CFS compared to healthy teenagers. They found some differences in how the hypothalamus connects to other parts of the brain in people with ME/CFS, and these differences appeared related to how long someone had been sick and how severe their fatigue was. This is one of the first studies to examine this specific brain region in adolescents with ME/CFS.

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 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 not requiredLongitudinal

Recovery and symptom trajectories up to two years after SARS-CoV-2 infection: population based, longitudinal cohort study.

Ballouz, Tala, Menges, Dominik, Anagnostopoulos, Alexia et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2023

This Swiss study followed over 1,100 people who had COVID-19 and compared them to people who never had the infection, tracking their recovery for two years. About 23% of infected people had not fully recovered by six months, and this number decreased only slightly to 17% by two years. Symptoms like loss of taste/smell, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after physical activity) were significantly more common in people who had COVID-19 compared to those who didn't.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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

Investigating the factors associated with meaningful improvement on the SF-36-PFS and exploring the appropriateness of this measure for young people with ME/CFS accessing an NHS specialist service: a prospective cohort study.

Gaunt, Daisy, Brigden, Amberly, Metcalfe, Chris et al.·BMJ open·2023

This study followed 193 young people with ME/CFS at a UK NHS specialist service to see how many improved over 6-12 months and what factors predicted improvement. About 40% showed meaningful improvement at 6 months, rising to 54% at 12 months. Interestingly, young people who started with worse physical function scores were actually more likely to show improvement, but very few other patient characteristics predicted who would get better.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

The relevance of pacing strategies in managing symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Ghali, Alaa, Lacombe, Valentin, Ravaiau, Camille et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This study looked at whether pacing—a strategy where patients carefully manage their activity levels to avoid overexertion—helps people recover from long COVID. Researchers followed 86 patients for about 10 months and found that about one-third returned to work and another quarter improved significantly. Patients who stuck with pacing strategies most consistently had the best outcomes, with 60% recovering compared to only 5.5% of those who didn't follow pacing closely.

Interventions

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Sex and disease severity-based analysis of steroid hormones in ME/CFS.

Longterm course of neuropsychological symptoms and ME/CFS after SARS-CoV-2-infection: a prospective registry study.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Impact on Quality of Life (QoL) of Persons with ME/CFS.

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.

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

["The idea of rehabilitation will have to be completely rethought for this illness" - Qualitative results of an online survey on patients' experiences with inpatient rehabilitation for post COVID-19 condition (long COVID)].

Immunological Patient Stratification in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Prevalence and determinants of post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection (Long COVID) among adults in Mexico during 2022: a retrospective analysis of nationally representative data.

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

Association of physical symptoms with accelerometer-measured movement behaviors and functional capacity in individuals with Long COVID.

Cognitive assessment in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a cognitive substudy of the multi-site clinical assessment of ME/CFS (MCAM).

Hypothalamus Connectivity in Adolescent Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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.

Predictors of impaired functioning among long COVID patients.

Recovery and symptom trajectories up to two years after SARS-CoV-2 infection: population based, longitudinal cohort study.

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.

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

Investigating the factors associated with meaningful improvement on the SF-36-PFS and exploring the appropriateness of this measure for young people with ME/CFS accessing an NHS specialist service: a prospective cohort study.

The relevance of pacing strategies in managing symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

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