ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2807 studies

381–400 of 2,807 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Severe myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in children and young people: a British Paediatric Surveillance Unit study.

Royston, Alexander Peter, Rai, Manmita, Brigden, Amberly et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2023

This British study looked at how many children and young people aged 5-16 have severe ME/CFS, a condition that causes extreme tiredness and makes it very difficult to do everyday activities. Researchers found that severe ME/CFS is uncommon in children, but when it does occur, it causes major disability—most affected young people missed almost all their schooling. The study also found that children got diagnosed relatively quickly, within about 5-6 months of when their symptoms started.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Multi-'omics of gut microbiome-host interactions in short- and long-term myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Xiong, Ruoyun, Gunter, Courtney, Fleming, Elizabeth et al.·Cell host & microbe·2023

Researchers studied the gut bacteria and blood chemicals of people with ME/CFS to understand how the disease affects the body. They compared three groups: people with ME/CFS for less than 4 years, people who've had it for over 10 years, and healthy people without the disease. They found that early ME/CFS patients have significant changes in their gut bacteria, while long-term patients' bacteria had mostly normalized, but their blood chemistry and symptoms remained abnormal.

Gut Microbiome

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Tryptophan catabolites, inflammation, and insulin resistance as determinants of chronic fatigue syndrome and affective symptoms in long COVID.

Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Khairi Abed, Anwar, Rouf Moustafa, Shatha et al.·Frontiers in molecular neuroscience·2023

This study looked at 90 Long COVID patients and measured specific molecules in their blood related to how their body processes an amino acid called tryptophan. The researchers found that patients with the most severe Long COVID symptoms had low tryptophan levels and high levels of a related compound called kynurenine, along with markers of inflammation. These three measurements together explained about 40% of why patients had fatigue, pain, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Prolonged indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 activity and associated cellular stress in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Guo, Lihui, Appelman, Brent, Mooij-Kalverda, Kirsten et al.·EBioMedicine·2023

This study found that people with long-COVID have persistent activity of an enzyme called IDO2 in their blood cells and brain tissue, months or years after initial infection. This enzyme breaks down tryptophan (an amino acid) into other compounds that may trigger cellular stress and energy problems. The researchers also discovered that blocking a specific receptor (called AHR) could stop this process in laboratory tests, suggesting a potential treatment target.

Energy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ameliorates symptoms in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome).

Miwa, Kunihisa, Inoue, Yukichi·IBRO neuroscience reports·2023

This small study tested a brain stimulation treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in 30 ME/CFS patients. The treatment targeted specific areas of the brain involved in movement and decision-making. After treatment, most patients reported improvements in their ability to do daily activities, reduced dizziness when standing, better balance, and less pain.

Autonomic Nervous 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 unclearCross-Sectional

Developing a Blood Cell-Based Diagnostic Test for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Using Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

Xu, Jiabao, Lodge, Tiffany, Kingdon, Caroline et al.·Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2023

Researchers used a new technology called Raman spectroscopy combined with artificial intelligence to analyze blood cells from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. The test was able to correctly identify ME/CFS patients about 91% of the time and could even distinguish between mild, moderate, and severe cases with 84% accuracy. This could eventually help doctors diagnose ME/CFS with a simple blood test instead of relying only on patient symptoms.

Diagnostics

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 not requiredCross-Sectional

Poor health-related quality of life in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in comparison with a sex- and age-matched normative population.

Seeley, Marie-Claire, Gallagher, Celine, Ong, Eric et al.·Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·2023

This study compared quality of life in people with POTS (a condition causing rapid heartbeat when standing) to people without POTS. Researchers found that people with POTS reported significantly worse quality of life across all areas tested, including mobility, self-care, daily activities, pain, and mood. The impact was consistent across all age groups, and was worse in people with severe symptoms, women, those with fatigue, and those who also had ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous 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 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 requiredLongitudinal

One-year follow-up of young people with ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus.

Pricoco, Rafael, Meidel, Paulina, Hofberger, Tim et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2023

This study followed 25 young people (12 teenagers and 13 young adults) who developed ME/CFS after having infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Researchers checked on their symptoms and quality of life at the start, 6 months, and 12 months later. Teenagers showed better improvement over the year, with more than half no longer meeting ME/CFS criteria, while young adults continued to have severe symptoms with little improvement.

Severe MEBiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

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

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 unclearObservational

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Coscia, Francesco, Mancinelli, Rosa, Gigliotti, Paola Virginia et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at how physical activity affected fatigue and other symptoms in people with Long COVID-19. Researchers compared people who stayed active with those who were sedentary and tracked their symptoms over 6 to 12 months. They found that people who remained physically active experienced a larger drop in fatigue over time compared to those who were inactive, though both groups still had muscle weakness and sleep problems.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The economic burden of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia.

Zhao, Ting, Cox, Ingrid A, Ahmad, Hasnat et al.·Australian health review : a publication of the Australian Hospital Association·2023

This study looked at how much money ME/CFS costs patients, their families, and Australia as a whole. Researchers surveyed 175 Australian patients and found that ME/CFS costs about $63,400 per person each year on average. Most of these costs come from lost work and productivity, plus care provided by family members, rather than from doctor visits and medicines. People with severe ME/CFS have much higher costs than those with milder forms.

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

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A multicenter virome analysis of blood, feces, and saliva in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Briese, Thomas, Tokarz, Rafal, Bateman, Lucinda et al.·Journal of medical virology·2023

Researchers looked for viruses in blood, saliva, and stool samples from ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. They used advanced testing methods to search for viral genetic material but found no consistent differences between the two groups, except that ME/CFS patients had fewer anelloviruses (a common, typically harmless virus). This suggests that if viruses play a role in ME/CFS, the problem may not be the presence of the virus itself, but rather how the body's immune system responds to it.

Immune System

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 unclearObservational

Pattern of Post COVID Fatigue in Elderly Patients.

Gaber, Tarek A·Advances in rehabilitation science and practice·2023

This study looked at why older adults (especially those over 70) seem to report Long COVID fatigue less often than younger people. Rather than assuming older adults simply don't report symptoms, the researchers found that older people who do get post-COVID fatigue experience it differently—it doesn't seem to follow the typical pattern of getting worse after physical activity. The study suggests that changes in how aging bodies work (in immunity, metabolism, and genes) might explain why fatigue after COVID looks different in elderly patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Severe myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in children and young people: a British Paediatric Surveillance Unit study.

Multi-'omics of gut microbiome-host interactions in short- and long-term myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Tryptophan catabolites, inflammation, and insulin resistance as determinants of chronic fatigue syndrome and affective symptoms in long COVID.

Prolonged indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 activity and associated cellular stress in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ameliorates symptoms in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome).

Distinguishing features of long COVID identified through immune profiling.

Developing a Blood Cell-Based Diagnostic Test for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Using Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells.

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

Poor health-related quality of life in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in comparison with a sex- and age-matched normative population.

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.

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

One-year follow-up of young people with ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus.

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.

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.

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

The economic burden of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia.

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

A multicenter virome analysis of blood, feces, and saliva in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Pattern of Post COVID Fatigue in Elderly Patients.

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