ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2795 studies

481–500 of 2,795 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A distinctive profile of family genetic risk scores in a Swedish national sample of cases of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome compared to rheumatoid arthritis and major depression.

Kendler, Kenneth S, Rosmalen, Judith G M, Ohlsson, Henrik et al.·Psychological medicine·2023

This study looked at the family histories of over 5 million Swedish people to understand whether ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome share common genetic roots. Researchers found that people with these conditions have a distinctive pattern of genetic risk that affects multiple body systems—including pain, mood, immune function, and sleep—rather than being limited to one specific area like depression or rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests these functional somatic disorders may arise from a complex genetic vulnerability affecting several interconnected systems rather than a single cause.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Severe and Very Severe Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS in Norway: Symptom Burden and Access to Care.

Sommerfelt, Kristian, Schei, Trude, Angelsen, Arild·Journal of clinical medicine·2023

This Norwegian study surveyed 491 patients with severe ME/CFS and their family caregivers to understand how the disease affects their daily lives and what support they receive. The researchers found that the most severely ill patients are often completely bedridden, unable to speak, and experience severe symptom flare-ups from even minimal activity or sensory stimulation. Many patients and caregivers reported that healthcare services were inadequate or sometimes made symptoms worse, though some found help from occupational therapists and family doctors useful.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Experiences of carers of youth, adult children and spouses with ME/CFS.

Baken, Don M, Ross, Kirsty J, Hodges, Lynette D et al.·Chronic illness·2023

This study looked at how caring for someone with ME/CFS affects family members and close caregivers across different life stages—parents of young people with ME/CFS, adult children caring for parents, and spouses. Researchers surveyed 36 carers about their experiences and found two major challenges: lack of knowledge about the condition and its wide-ranging impact on their lives. While many experiences were shared across all groups, carers of young people faced particular struggles with providing care without clear guidance, while carers of adults and spouses worried most about what the future would hold.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Pediatrics: Factors That Impact Symptom Severity and Referral to Treatment.

Soprano, Catherine M, Ngo, Ryan, Konys, Casey A et al.·Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at how long COVID (called PASC) affects children and teenagers, comparing their experiences to adults. The researchers reviewed medical records to understand what symptoms young people had and whether they were referred to specialized treatment programs. The main finding was that young people with long COVID tend to have less severe symptoms than adults, though many young patients were not referred for treatment even when they needed it.

Long COVID Overlap

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 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Free-water-corrected diffusion and adrenergic/muscarinic antibodies in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kimura, Yukio, Sato, Wakiro, Maikusa, Norihide et al.·Journal of neuroimaging : official journal of the American Society of Neuroimaging·2023

Researchers used a specialized brain imaging technique to look for signs of inflammation in the brains of ME/CFS patients and compared these findings to levels of harmful antibodies (immune proteins) in their blood. They found that certain antibodies were linked to visible changes in a specific brain region called the right frontal operculum, and that longer disease duration was associated with more brain changes. These findings suggest that ME/CFS may involve both immune system dysfunction and measurable changes in brain structure.

Neuroinflammation

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Health system support among patients with ME/CFS in Switzerland.

Tschopp, Rea, König, Rahel S, Rejmer, Protazy et al.·Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences·2023

This Swiss study surveyed 169 ME/CFS patients to understand their experiences with the healthcare system. Patients faced long delays in getting diagnosed (averaging 6.7 years), saw many doctors before getting correct answers (11.1 appointments on average), and were frequently told their symptoms were psychological rather than physical. The study found that doctors in Switzerland lack knowledge about ME/CFS, leading to frustration, inappropriate treatments, and some patients traveling abroad for proper diagnosis.

Diagnostics

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 requiredCross-Sectional

Exploring the joint potential of inflammation, immunity, and receptor-based biomarkers for evaluating ME/CFS progression.

Berkis, Uldis, Svirskis, Simons, Krumina, Angelika et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2023

This study looked for blood markers that could help doctors understand how severe ME/CFS is and track disease progression. Researchers measured inflammation-related proteins, immune system components, and antibodies against nerve receptors in blood samples from healthy people and patients with mild, moderate, and severe ME/CFS. They found that certain markers—especially antibodies against beta2-adrenergic and M4 receptors, along with specific immune proteins—showed promise for distinguishing disease severity, with over 90% accuracy in identifying who has ME/CFS versus who is healthy.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Circulating miRNAs Expression in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Soffritti, Irene, Gravelsina, Sabine, D'Accolti, Maria et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

Researchers tested whether six small molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) in the blood could help identify people with ME/CFS. They compared blood samples from 40 ME/CFS patients with 20 healthy people and found that five miRNAs were more abundant in patients' blood while one was less abundant. Interestingly, the levels of these molecules matched how severe each patient's symptoms were, suggesting they could potentially be used as a blood test to help diagnose ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High Perceived Stress and Low Self-Efficacy are Associated with Functional Somatic Disorders: The DanFunD Study.

Petersen, Marie Weinreich, Carstensen, Tina Birgitte Wisbech, Frostholm, Lisbeth et al.·Clinical epidemiology·2023

This study of over 9,600 Danish people examined whether stress and confidence in one's abilities are connected to functional somatic disorders—conditions like chronic fatigue, widespread pain, and irritable bowel syndrome where symptoms are real but don't have a clear physical cause. The researchers found that people with these conditions tend to feel more stressed and have lower confidence in their abilities compared to healthy people, though their stress levels were not necessarily higher than people with serious physical diseases.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Study on Sports, Extracurricular Activities, Electronic Device Usage Factors Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Taiwanese Preschoolers.

Huang, Su-Fen, Duan, Hui-Ying·Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at whether exercise, extracurricular activities, and screen time affect tiredness in young children in Taiwan. Researchers found that children who exercised regularly and varied their activities felt less tired, while children who used screens out of boredom or did too many after-school activities felt more tired. The findings suggest that balanced exercise and limited screen time may help reduce fatigue in preschoolers.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Effect of Central Sensitization in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever, Axial Spondyloarthritis, and Both Diseases.

Kaya, Mehmet Nur, Kılıç, Özlem, Doğan, Abdullah et al.·Cureus·2023

This study looked at whether three groups of patients—those with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), a type of spinal arthritis (axSpA), or both conditions—experience heightened pain sensitivity and related symptoms like fatigue and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. Researchers used a questionnaire to measure 'central sensitization,' which is when the nervous system amplifies pain signals. They found that patients with these conditions did score higher on pain sensitivity measures than healthy controls, and chronic fatigue was particularly common in the FMF group.

Pain and Sensitization

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 requiredCross-Sectional

Alteration of Cortical Volume and Thickness in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Thapaliya, Kiran, Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya, Staines, Donald et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2022

Researchers used brain imaging to compare the brains of people with ME/CFS to healthy people. They found that people with ME/CFS had some areas of the brain that were thinner and other areas that were larger, particularly in regions involved in thinking and emotion. These brain differences were also connected to how severe symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties were in each person.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin, Aflatoxin, and Gliotoxin) and Their Distribution in the Urinalysis of ME/CFS Patients.

Wu, Ting Yu, Khorramshahi, Taura, Taylor, Lindsey A et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2022

This study looked for mold-related toxins in the urine of 236 ME/CFS patients who had been exposed to mold in water-damaged buildings. Researchers found evidence of these toxins in 92.4% of the patients tested, with a toxin called ochratoxin A being the most common. The study provides preliminary evidence that mold exposure may be connected to ME/CFS in this patient group, though more research is needed to understand if mold actually causes the illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Regional gray matter volume correlates to physical and mental fatigue in healthy middle-aged adults.

Putra, Handityo Aulia, Park, Kaechang, Yamashita, Fumio et al.·Neuroimage. Reports·2022

Researchers used brain scans to examine whether the size of certain brain regions relates to how tired people feel, both physically and mentally. In a large group of nearly 1,900 healthy middle-aged adults, they found that specific brain areas showed different sizes depending on fatigue levels—some areas were smaller in people reporting more fatigue, while others were larger. This suggests that brain structure may be connected to how tired we feel, even before someone develops a condition like ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Predictors of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mood Disturbance After Acute Infection.

Sandler, Carolina X, Cvejic, Erin, Valencia, Braulio M et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2022

This study followed people who had acute viral infections (EBV, Ross River virus, or Q fever) to see who developed ME/CFS-like symptoms by 6 months. About 1 in 5 participants met CFS criteria. The researchers found that people who felt more severely ill during their acute infection, and those with mood problems during that time, were more likely to have prolonged fatigue and continued mood difficulties afterward.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Vaccine Vigilance System: Considerations on the Effectiveness of Vigilance Data Use in COVID-19 Vaccination.

Araja, Diana, Krumina, Angelika, Nora-Krukle, Zaiga et al.·Vaccines·2022

Researchers analyzed publicly available European vaccine safety reports to see which health problems were most commonly reported after COVID-19 vaccination. They found that the most frequently reported issues involved general symptoms (like injection site reactions and fever), nervous system problems (like headaches), and muscle/joint pain. The study notes that while ME/CFS wasn't specifically tracked in the database, reports of chronic fatigue syndrome were present and could be studied.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Findings from a survey about hidradenitis suppurativa in the Netherlands.

The British journal of dermatology·2022

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful skin condition that causes recurrent boils, drainage, and scarring in areas like armpits and groin. This Dutch study surveyed over 167,000 people and found that HS is more common than previously thought (2% rather than 1%), and that people with HS often have other conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression. The study also found that many people with HS have not yet been diagnosed or treated.

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Evidence browser

A distinctive profile of family genetic risk scores in a Swedish national sample of cases of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome compared to rheumatoid arthritis and major depression.

Severe and Very Severe Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS in Norway: Symptom Burden and Access to Care.

Experiences of carers of youth, adult children and spouses with ME/CFS.

Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in Pediatrics: Factors That Impact Symptom Severity and Referral to Treatment.

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

Free-water-corrected diffusion and adrenergic/muscarinic antibodies in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Health system support among patients with ME/CFS in Switzerland.

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

Exploring the joint potential of inflammation, immunity, and receptor-based biomarkers for evaluating ME/CFS progression.

Circulating miRNAs Expression in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

High Perceived Stress and Low Self-Efficacy are Associated with Functional Somatic Disorders: The DanFunD Study.

Study on Sports, Extracurricular Activities, Electronic Device Usage Factors Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Taiwanese Preschoolers.

Effect of Central Sensitization in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever, Axial Spondyloarthritis, and Both Diseases.

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

Alteration of Cortical Volume and Thickness in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Prevalence of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin, Aflatoxin, and Gliotoxin) and Their Distribution in the Urinalysis of ME/CFS Patients.

Regional gray matter volume correlates to physical and mental fatigue in healthy middle-aged adults.

Predictors of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mood Disturbance After Acute Infection.

Vaccine Vigilance System: Considerations on the Effectiveness of Vigilance Data Use in COVID-19 Vaccination.

Findings from a survey about hidradenitis suppurativa in the Netherlands.

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