ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2795 studies

501–520 of 2,795 studies

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 not requiredLongitudinal

How mycobacterium tuberculosis infection could lead to the increasing risks of chronic fatigue syndrome and the potential immunological effects: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

Yang, Tse-Yen, Lin, Cheng-Li, Yao, Wei-Cheng et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

This study found that people who have had a tuberculosis infection are about 23% more likely to develop ME/CFS than people who have never had tuberculosis. Researchers in Taiwan tracked over 38,000 people for about 10 years and noticed that tuberculosis and ME/CFS share similar symptoms and immune system patterns. The link was especially strong in men and in people aged 65 and older.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Significance of Pain Drawing as a Screening Tool for Cervicogenic Headache and Associated Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue.

Bernhoff, Gabriella, Huhmar, Helena M, Rasmussen-Barr, Eva et al.·Journal of pain research·2022

This study looked at whether a simple drawing tool could help identify a specific type of headache (cervicogenic headache) in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that 42% of ME/CFS patients had a particular pain pattern on their drawings that suggested their headache came from their neck. Patients with this neck-related pain pattern also experienced more dizziness, worse pain, and lower quality of life compared to others.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Fatigue and Postexertional Malaise in People Living With Long COVID: An Observational Study.

Twomey, Rosie, DeMars, Jessica, Franklin, Kelli et al.·Physical therapy·2022

This study looked at 213 people with long COVID to measure how severe their fatigue and postexertional malaise (PEM—worsening of symptoms after activity) were. Researchers found that over 71% had chronic fatigue as severe as or worse than other serious illnesses, and nearly 59% experienced PEM similar to what people with ME/CFS report. The study highlights that fatigue and symptom flare-ups after activity are major problems that need careful monitoring and should shape how doctors design rehabilitation programs.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical Characteristics of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Diagnosed in Patients with Long COVID.

Tokumasu, Kazuki, Honda, Hiroyuki, Sunada, Naruhiko et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2022

This study examined patients with long COVID who developed ME/CFS, a serious condition causing extreme fatigue and worsening after activity. Researchers found that about 17% of long COVID patients met standardized medical criteria for ME/CFS, with fatigue and post-exertional malaise being the most common symptoms. Interestingly, men and women were affected equally in this group, which differs from typical ME/CFS patterns.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not required

Risk factors for suicide in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Johnson, Madeline L, Cotler, Joseph, Terman, Julia M et al.·Death studies·2022

This study looked at 64 people with ME/CFS to understand why some experience suicidal thoughts, with 17 having died by suicide. Researchers found that people who identified as having CFS (rather than ME), those with severe functional limitations, and those without other medical conditions were at higher risk. The study suggests that stigma around the illness and difficulty accessing care and support may contribute to these serious mental health risks.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Øie, Merete Glenne, Rødø, Astrid Sofie Buer, Bølgen, Maria Sletten et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2022

This study followed 195 teenagers who had Epstein-Barr virus infection for six months to see if they developed persistent fatigue and cognitive problems. While teenagers with ongoing fatigue reported much more trouble with thinking and memory than healthy teenagers, standard cognitive tests showed no actual differences in their thinking abilities. This suggests that cognitive difficulties in ME/CFS may feel very real to patients but are not always detectable by traditional testing methods.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Anti-Correlated Myelin-Sensitive MRI Levels in Humans Consistent with a Subcortical to Sensorimotor Regulatory Process-Multi-Cohort Multi-Modal Evidence.

Barnden, Leighton, Crouch, Benjamin, Kwiatek, Richard et al.·Brain sciences·2022

This study looked at brain scans from people with ME/CFS and healthy people to understand how the brain protects and maintains nerve fibers (myelin). Researchers found that healthy people show a balancing pattern: when one part of the brain has less myelin coverage, another part compensates by having more. The study suggests this balance may be disrupted in ME/CFS, which could contribute to symptom severity.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder?

Azcue, N, Gómez-Esteban, J C, Acera, M et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

This study compared brain fog and fatigue symptoms in people with ME/CFS and those recovering from COVID-19 to see if they might be the same condition triggered by different causes. Both groups showed similar problems with fatigue, sleep, and muscle pain, but people with ME/CFS had more severe cognitive difficulties like trouble concentrating and processing information. Interestingly, loss of smell that lasted a long time in COVID-19 patients appeared connected to their cognitive problems.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Small-Fiber Polyneuropathy Is Prevalent in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Wolff, Dylan T, Xu, Raymond, Overholt, Tyler et al.·Urogynecology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2022

Researchers found that about one-third of people with bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) have small-fiber polyneuropathy (SFPN), a condition where tiny nerves in the skin are damaged or reduced. Notably, people with SFPN were significantly more likely to also have chronic fatigue syndrome (31% vs 10.6%). This suggests these two painful conditions may share a common nerve-related mechanism.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Graded exercise therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in secondary care - a benchmarking study.

Smakowski, Abigail, Adamson, James, Turner, Tracey et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2022

This study looked at how graded exercise therapy (gradually increasing physical activity) helped ME/CFS patients who were treated at a specialist clinic in London. Researchers tracked patients' fatigue levels, physical ability, and ability to work and socialize over the course of treatment. The results showed that patients improved significantly, with fatigue decreasing and daily functioning improving by the end of treatment.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Influence of Codiagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Habitual Physical Exercise on the Psychological Status and Quality of Life of Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Hinchado, María Dolores, Otero, Eduardo, Navarro, María Del Carmen et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2022

This study looked at how fibromyalgia (FM) patients feel psychologically and how their quality of life is affected, especially when they also have ME/CFS. The researchers compared people with FM alone, people with both FM and ME/CFS, and healthy people without either condition. They found that regular physical exercise helped both groups feel less stressed and anxious, but having ME/CFS alongside FM didn't make things worse than FM alone.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: relationship of central nervous system manifestations with physical disability and systemic inflammation.

Busatto, Geraldo F, de Araujo, Adriana Ladeira, Castaldelli-Maia, João Mauricio et al.·Psychological medicine·2022

Researchers studied 749 people who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 and assessed them 6-11 months later. They found that 30 different symptoms—including fatigue, brain fog, depression, and anxiety—tend to occur together as part of one underlying condition. People with more severe symptoms also showed signs of ongoing inflammation in their blood and had greater physical disability, suggesting a real biological basis for their illness.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exposure-response relationship between K. brevis blooms and reporting of upper respiratory and neurotoxin-associated symptoms.

Abdullah, L, Ferguson, S, Niedospial, D et al.·Harmful algae·2022

Researchers studied whether harmful algal blooms caused by Karenia brevis (a type of seaweed) in Florida's Gulf waters trigger respiratory symptoms, headaches, and nerve-related illness symptoms in people living nearby. They surveyed 258 residents in five coastal counties and found a clear link: when blooms were stronger, more people reported these symptoms. People with previous diagnoses of migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, or memory problems were more likely to report these symptoms during blooms.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Treatments of chronic fatigue syndrome and its debilitating comorbidities: a 12-year population-based study.

Leong, Kam-Hang, Yip, Hei-Tung, Kuo, Chien-Feng et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2022

This study looked at over 12,000 people in Taiwan with ME/CFS and compared them to an equal number of similar people without the condition. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS are much more likely to also have depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and certain other illnesses like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. The study also found that doctors commonly prescribed antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, pain relievers, and recommended exercise and therapy—treatments that earlier research suggested might help with ME/CFS symptoms.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Activity monitoring and patient-reported outcome measures in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.

Rekeland, Ingrid G, Sørland, Kari, Bruland, Ove et al.·PloS one·2022

This study tracked 27 ME/CFS patients for six months using Fitbit activity monitors and questionnaires to understand how symptoms vary day-to-day and whether activity data matches what patients report. Researchers found that people with milder disease had larger swings in their activity levels week-to-week, while those with severe disease stayed consistently low. Activity monitoring proved feasible and useful as a tool alongside patient surveys.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The incidence and characteristics of chronic pain and fatigue after 12 months later admitting with COVID-19; The Post- COVID 19 syndrome.

Janbazi, Lobaneh, Kazemian, Alireza, Mansouri, Kourosh et al.·American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation·2022

Researchers followed 157 people who were hospitalized with COVID-19 and checked on them 12 months later. They found that about 27% still had chronic fatigue and muscle weakness, and about 15% experienced chronic pain, mostly in the lower back and legs. Women were more likely than men to report these symptoms, and many patients were only using pain medications rather than receiving rehabilitation or mental health support.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Seroepidemiological study of human brucellosis in the Northeast region of Meghalaya, India.

Shukla, Jayshree L, Husain, Aliabbas A, Lyngdoh, Samantha A et al.·Journal of family medicine and primary care·2022

This study looked at how many people in Northeast India have been exposed to brucellosis, a bacterial infection spread from animals to humans. Researchers tested 1,046 people with fever-like symptoms and found that 11% had antibodies showing past or current brucellosis infection. They noticed that women were more affected than men, and that eating meat was a risk factor. Importantly, three symptoms—fever of unknown cause, muscle pain, and chronic fatigue—were commonly seen in people with brucellosis.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Predictors for Developing Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Infectious Mononucleosis.

Jason, Leonard A, Cotler, Joseph, Islam, Mohammed F et al.·Journal of rehabilitation therapy·2022

This study followed 238 college students who developed infectious mononucleosis to see who would recover and who would develop ME/CFS. Researchers found that students who had stomach problems (pain, bloating, irritable bowel) before getting sick, combined with certain low immune markers and severe digestive symptoms when they got mononucleosis, had about an 80% chance of developing severe ME/CFS that lasted six months. This suggests that pre-existing gut problems and immune differences may help predict who is at highest risk.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

A 2-day cardiopulmonary exercise test in chronic fatigue syndrome patients who were exposed to humidifier disinfectants.

Leem, Jong-Han, Jeon, Hyoung-Eun, Nam, Hun et al.·Environmental analysis, health and toxicology·2022

This study tested whether a special two-day exercise test could detect post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after physical activity—in people with ME/CFS who had been exposed to humidifier disinfectants. The researchers had 29 participants complete an exercise test, rest for 24 hours, then repeat it. They found that performance noticeably declined on the second day, showing that PEM is real and measurable.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

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

How mycobacterium tuberculosis infection could lead to the increasing risks of chronic fatigue syndrome and the potential immunological effects: a population-based retrospective cohort study.

The Significance of Pain Drawing as a Screening Tool for Cervicogenic Headache and Associated Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue.

Chronic Fatigue and Postexertional Malaise in People Living With Long COVID: An Observational Study.

Clinical Characteristics of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Diagnosed in Patients with Long COVID.

Risk factors for suicide in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Anti-Correlated Myelin-Sensitive MRI Levels in Humans Consistent with a Subcortical to Sensorimotor Regulatory Process-Multi-Cohort Multi-Modal Evidence.

Brain fog of post-COVID-19 condition and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, same medical disorder?

Small-Fiber Polyneuropathy Is Prevalent in Patients With Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.

Graded exercise therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in secondary care - a benchmarking study.

Influence of Codiagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Habitual Physical Exercise on the Psychological Status and Quality of Life of Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: relationship of central nervous system manifestations with physical disability and systemic inflammation.

Exposure-response relationship between K. brevis blooms and reporting of upper respiratory and neurotoxin-associated symptoms.

Treatments of chronic fatigue syndrome and its debilitating comorbidities: a 12-year population-based study.

Activity monitoring and patient-reported outcome measures in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.

The incidence and characteristics of chronic pain and fatigue after 12 months later admitting with COVID-19; The Post- COVID 19 syndrome.

Seroepidemiological study of human brucellosis in the Northeast region of Meghalaya, India.

Predictors for Developing Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Infectious Mononucleosis.

A 2-day cardiopulmonary exercise test in chronic fatigue syndrome patients who were exposed to humidifier disinfectants.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research