ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2768 studies

701–720 of 2,768 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to Vasoregulative G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Correlate with Symptom Severity, Autonomic Dysfunction and Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Freitag, Helma, Szklarski, Marvin, Lorenz, Sebastian et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study examined whether certain antibodies in ME/CFS patients' blood relate to how severe their symptoms are. The researchers tested 116 ME/CFS patients for antibodies that target receptors controlling blood vessel function and other vital processes. They found that patients whose ME/CFS started after an infection had stronger connections between these antibodies and key symptoms like fatigue and muscle pain, suggesting these antibodies might play a role in how the disease develops.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue of nurses in view of the challenges of contemporary psychiatric care. Do temperament and work environment matter?

Sygit-Kowalkowska, Ewa·Psychiatria polska·2021

This study looked at fatigue in psychiatric nurses and found that most experienced moderate to high levels of chronic fatigue. The research suggests that workplace communication problems—like unclear instructions and poor teamwork—may contribute to this fatigue, and that some people's personality traits may make them more resilient to fatigue than others.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Lasting Immunological Imprint of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection With Associations to Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Fatigue.

Fevang, Børre, Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm, Mollnes, Tom Eirik et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study tracked 200 teenagers with mononucleosis (caused by Epstein-Barr virus) for 6 months to understand why some developed chronic fatigue. Researchers found that teenagers who developed chronic fatigue showed persistent signs of immune system activation and inflammation, particularly elevated levels of RANTES (a signaling protein) and other inflammatory markers, both at the start of illness and 6 months later.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Off label use of Aripiprazole shows promise as a treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): a retrospective study of 101 patients treated with a low dose of Aripiprazole.

Crosby, L D, Kalanidhi, S, Bonilla, A et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study looked back at medical records of 101 ME/CFS patients who were prescribed a low dose of aripiprazole, a medication typically used for other conditions. The researchers found that some patients reported improvements in their symptoms. While these results are encouraging, the study design means we need to be cautious about how much weight to give these findings.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Beyond bones: The relevance of variants of connective tissue (hypermobility) to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification: an observational study.

Eccles, Jessica A, Thompson, Beth, Themelis, Kristy et al.·Clinical medicine (London, England)·2021

This study looked at whether joint hypermobility (unusual flexibility and loose joints) is connected to fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Researchers found that most patients with these conditions also had signs of hypermobility, and that higher hypermobility scores matched with worse symptoms. The results suggest that hypermobility is often missed in diagnosis, even though it significantly affects how sick people feel.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Kynurenine metabolites and ratios differ between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and healthy controls.

Groven, Nina, Reitan, Solveig Klæbo, Fors, Egil Andreas et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2021

This study examined a specific metabolic pathway in the blood called the kynurenine pathway, which affects how the brain functions. Researchers compared blood samples from people with ME/CFS, people with fibromyalgia, and healthy people to see if the chemical breakdown products in this pathway differed. They found that the balance of certain chemicals was different in people with these conditions, and these differences may relate to fatigue and pain symptoms.

NeuroinflammationEnergy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Fatigue in Teenagers on the Internet) for Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Routine Clinical Care: Observational Study.

Albers, Eline, Nijhof, Linde N, Berkelbach van der Sprenkel, Emma E et al.·Journal of medical Internet research·2021

This study tested whether an internet-based therapy program called FITNET, delivered through routine clinical care, works as well as it did in earlier controlled research. The program helps teenagers with ME/CFS through structured cognitive behavioral therapy done online. Results showed that teenagers improved significantly with similar outcomes to the original research study, and very few got worse during treatment.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Experiential avoidance is associated with medical and mental health diagnoses in a national sample of deployed Gulf War veterans.

Blakey, Shannon M, Halverson, Tate F, Evans, Mariah K et al.·Journal of psychiatric research·2021

This study looked at whether avoiding uncomfortable thoughts and feelings is connected to health problems in Gulf War veterans. Researchers surveyed over 450 veterans and found that those who tend to avoid dealing with difficult emotions were more likely to have PTSD, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and digestive problems—even after accounting for combat exposure and chemical exposure during the war.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Factors related to educational adaptations and social life at school experienced by young people with CFS/ME: a qualitative study.

Similä, Wenche Ann, Nøst, Torunn Hatlen, Helland, Ingrid B et al.·BMJ open·2021

This study asked 18 young people with ME/CFS (ages 13-21) about their experiences at school and in their daily lives. Students said they struggled because teachers and school staff didn't understand their illness, didn't receive enough help adjusting their schoolwork, and felt isolated from their peers. Many also found it hard to recognize their own limits and avoid doing too much. The young people suggested that better education about ME/CFS for teachers, flexible schooling options, and more opportunities to connect with classmates would help them significantly.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Hulens, Mieke, Bruyninckx, Frans, Dankaerts, Wim et al.·Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)·2021

Researchers found that small fluid-filled sacs called perineural cysts (Tarlov cysts) near nerve roots in the spine were present in 39% of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS—three times more common than in the general population. These cysts may irritate nerves and could potentially explain why some patients with these conditions experience widespread pain and fatigue. This finding suggests that fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and symptomatic Tarlov cysts might share a similar underlying cause related to spinal fluid pressure.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Bynke, Annie, Julin, Per, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

Researchers tested blood and spinal fluid samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for certain antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack nerve receptors in the body. They found higher levels of some of these antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly antibodies targeting muscarinic receptors (involved in nerve signaling). However, the amount of these antibodies did not match how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lande, Asgeir, Fluge, Øystein, Strand, Elin B et al.·Scientific reports·2020

Researchers studied immune system markers called HLA alleles in 426 Norwegian ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. They found that two specific immune markers (HLA-C*07:04 and HLA-DQB1*03:03) were more common in ME/CFS patients than in healthy people, suggesting the immune system may play a role in developing ME/CFS. About 1 in 5 ME/CFS patients carried one or both of these markers, compared to 1 in 8 healthy people.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Do adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) and co-morbid anxiety and/or depressive symptoms think differently to those who do not have co-morbid psychopathology?

Loades, Maria E, Stallard, Paul, Morris, Richard et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2020

This study looked at how adolescents with ME/CFS think about their symptoms, comparing those who also have anxiety or depression with those who don't. Teenagers with both ME/CFS and anxiety/depression were more likely to have negative thoughts in general and worry more about their fatigue causing damage or embarrassment. The thinking patterns of both groups together explained about 43% of why some teens developed anxiety or depression alongside their ME/CFS.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Accurate and objective determination of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome disease severity with a wearable sensor.

Palombo, Turner, Campos, Andrea, Vernon, Suzanne D et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

Researchers developed a wearable sensor that measures how much time ME/CFS patients spend standing or walking each day (called UpTime). In a small study of 15 people, they found that severely ill ME/CFS patients spend less than 20% of their day upright, moderately ill patients spend 20-30%, while healthy people spend more than 30%. This sensor measurement was more accurate than asking patients to estimate their activity themselves, suggesting it could be a reliable way to track disease severity and test new treatments.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Tai, Foong Way David, Palsson, Olafur S, Lam, Ching Y et al.·Neurogastroenterology and motility·2020

This study looked at people with joint hypermobility disorders (including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) to understand how often they experience stomach and digestive problems. The researchers found that those who also have POTS (a condition affecting heart rate and blood pressure when standing) had significantly more digestive issues than those without POTS. The digestive problems remained worse in the POTS group even after accounting for other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

Longitudinal outcomes associated with significant other responses to chronic fatigue and pain.

Schmaling, Karen B, Fales, Jessica L, McPherson, Sterling·Journal of health psychology·2020

This study followed 68 people with chronic fatigue (some also with fibromyalgia) for 18 months to see how their loved ones' responses affected their health outcomes. The researchers found that when significant others responded negatively to fatigue and pain, patients experienced more pain, worse mental health, and worse fatigue symptoms over time. Interestingly, when loved ones were more helpful and comforting (solicitous), patients with more fibromyalgia tender points tended to have this response, and when loved ones helped distract patients, mental health was better.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Function: A Validation Study in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Lomas-Vega, Rafael, Rodríguez-Almagro, Daniel, Peinado-Rubia, Ana Belén et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

Researchers created and tested a new 20-question tool to measure balance problems and nerve-muscle coordination in people with fibromyalgia. The tool was tested on 62 fibromyalgia patients, 22 older adults, and 24 healthy people. The results show the tool works well at identifying balance issues in fibromyalgia patients, especially problems related to head movements.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Breathing pattern disorders (dysfunctional breathing) characteristics and outcomes of children and young people attending a secondary care respiratory clinic.

Newson, Timothy P, Elias, Annie·Pediatric pulmonology·2020

This study looked at 18 young people (ages 11-16) who had breathing pattern disorders—abnormal ways of breathing that caused problems like chest tightness, difficulty breathing during exercise, or feeling like their throat was closing. Most of these young people also had asthma, anxiety, or other conditions. When properly diagnosed and treated by a speech therapist, most improved significantly and felt more confident managing their symptoms, though it often took months to get the right diagnosis.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Pain Syndromes and Their Laryngeal Manifestations.

Piersiala, Krzysztof, Akst, Lee M, Hillel, Alexander T et al.·JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery·2020

This study looked at whether fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and ME/CFS patients have similar voice and throat problems. Researchers reviewed medical records of over 4,000 patients at a voice center and found that patients with these three conditions were more likely to have functional voice disorders (problems with how the voice works rather than visible damage) compared to other patients.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Preliminary ICF core set for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in rehabilitation medicine.

Bileviciute-Ljungar, Indre, Schult, Marie-Louise, Borg, Kristian et al.·Journal of rehabilitation medicine·2020

Researchers studied 100 ME/CFS patients to identify which body functions, activities, and life areas are most affected by the illness. They found that nearly all patients experience severe fatigue, poor sleep, and pain, while most struggle with work, household tasks, and socializing. This study created a standardized checklist that doctors can use to understand and measure how ME/CFS impacts different aspects of patients' lives.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Autoantibodies to Vasoregulative G-Protein-Coupled Receptors Correlate with Symptom Severity, Autonomic Dysfunction and Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue of nurses in view of the challenges of contemporary psychiatric care. Do temperament and work environment matter?

Lasting Immunological Imprint of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection With Associations to Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Fatigue.

Off label use of Aripiprazole shows promise as a treatment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): a retrospective study of 101 patients treated with a low dose of Aripiprazole.

Beyond bones: The relevance of variants of connective tissue (hypermobility) to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification: an observational study.

Kynurenine metabolites and ratios differ between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and healthy controls.

Effectiveness of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy (Fatigue in Teenagers on the Internet) for Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Routine Clinical Care: Observational Study.

Experiential avoidance is associated with medical and mental health diagnoses in a national sample of deployed Gulf War veterans.

Factors related to educational adaptations and social life at school experienced by young people with CFS/ME: a qualitative study.

High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Do adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) and co-morbid anxiety and/or depressive symptoms think differently to those who do not have co-morbid psychopathology?

Accurate and objective determination of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome disease severity with a wearable sensor.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Longitudinal outcomes associated with significant other responses to chronic fatigue and pain.

Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Function: A Validation Study in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Breathing pattern disorders (dysfunctional breathing) characteristics and outcomes of children and young people attending a secondary care respiratory clinic.

Chronic Pain Syndromes and Their Laryngeal Manifestations.

Preliminary ICF core set for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in rehabilitation medicine.

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