Evidence browser

[Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and depression].

Martin-Du-Pan, R·Revue medicale de la Suisse romande·1990

This 1990 review article examines the relationships between chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, and depression. The author discusses how these three conditions sometimes occur together and explores whether they share common features or causes. The paper helps clarify how ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are distinct from depression, even though all three can cause fatigue and other overlapping symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Immunotherapy and enhanced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity using virally-infected target cells.

Bosse, D, Ades, E W·Journal of clinical & laboratory immunology·1989

This study looked at whether adding a immune-boosting substance called IL-2 to a blood treatment (gammaglobulin) could help the body's immune cells better fight cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus. The researchers found in laboratory tests that IL-2 did enhance this immune response, and they suggested it might help ME/CFS patients who receive gammaglobulin treatment.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome: review of the literature.

Turgeon, S A·Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·1989

This review article examines what was known about ME/CFS in 1989, a time when the condition was still poorly understood. The authors note that while some initially thought the Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) might cause ME/CFS, that theory no longer seems correct. They found evidence that both psychiatric factors and subtle immune system problems may play a role in the illness.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gantz, N M, Holmes, G P·Drugs·1989

This 1989 review article examines different ways doctors were treating ME/CFS patients at that time. The authors looked at what treatments were being used and discussed their potential benefits and drawbacks. This early work helped shape how doctors approached ME/CFS care in the following decades.

Management of chronic (post-viral) fatigue syndrome.

Wessely, S, David, A, Butler, S et al.·The Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·1989

This paper suggests that ME/CFS develops when an initial illness leads to reduced activity, which then worsens fitness and symptoms in a self-reinforcing cycle. The authors propose that cognitive behavioral therapy—a talking therapy that helps patients understand how both physical inactivity and mood problems contribute to their symptoms—combined with gradual return to activity may help break this cycle.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Features of Coxsackie B virus (CBV) infection in children with prolonged physical and psychological morbidity.

Wilson, P M, Kusumakar, V, McCartney, R A et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·1989

This study looked at 39 children who were sick and tested them for Coxsackie B virus infection. Eighteen of the children had evidence of this virus. Most children, whether infected or not, complained of muscle weakness and tiredness. Children who had the virus were more likely to have family members with the same virus and to feel sad or anxious.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

What's new in human herpesvirus-6? Clinical immunopathology of the HHV-6 infection.

Krueger, G R, Sander, C·Pathology, research and practice·1989

This review examines human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), a common virus that most people carry in a dormant state. When the immune system is weakened, this virus can reactivate and potentially cause long-lasting fatigue and other health problems. The authors discuss how HHV-6 might contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions, particularly in people with weak immune systems.

Confounding features of the fibromyalgia syndrome: a current perspective of differential diagnosis.

Bennett, R M·The Journal of rheumatology. Supplement·1989

This article discusses how fibromyalgia syndrome can be confused with many other conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, because they share similar symptoms like pain and tiredness. When doctors misdiagnose fibromyalgia or take too long to identify it, patients may receive wrong treatments and become frustrated with their care. Understanding the differences between these conditions is important so patients get the correct diagnosis and appropriate help.

The chronic fatigue syndrome: definition, current studies and lessons for fibromyalgia research.

Komaroff, A L, Goldenberg, D·The Journal of rheumatology. Supplement·1989

This review describes ME/CFS as a serious illness where extreme tiredness lasts for more than 6 months, often starting suddenly like the flu. People with ME/CFS frequently experience fever, sore throat, muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, brain fog, and mood problems. Blood tests sometimes show changes in immune cells and antibodies, and researchers have found links between ME/CFS and several viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, though no virus has been proven to directly cause the disease.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Naloxone-reversible monocyte dysfunction in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prieto, J, Subirá, M L, Castilla, A et al.·Scandinavian journal of immunology·1989

Researchers examined immune cells called monocytes in 35 ME/CFS patients and 25 healthy people. They found that most ME/CFS patients had monocytes that weren't working properly, but these cells improved dramatically when treated with naloxone, a drug that blocks opioid effects. This suggests that the body's natural opioid-like chemicals may be overactive in ME/CFS and could be damaging immune function.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome. A critical appraisal of the role of Epstein-Barr virus.

Koo, D·The Western journal of medicine·1989

Early research suggested that a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) might cause ME/CFS, leading to the disease sometimes being called "chronic EBV syndrome." However, this review shows that the antibody levels used to detect EBV exposure are similar in people with ME/CFS, healthy people, and people with other illnesses, making it impossible to prove EBV actually causes the condition. Since most people have been exposed to EBV at some point, we cannot easily tell whether the virus causes ME/CFS or if people with ME/CFS simply show different antibody patterns because they are already sick.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Chronic fatigue syndrome associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection].

Parras, F, Salvá, F, Reina, J et al.·Medicina clinica·1989

This study describes a patient who developed chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) after a confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. EBV is a common virus that usually causes infectious mononucleosis ("mono"), but this patient went on to experience lasting fatigue, loss of appetite, low-grade fever, and mood changes long after the acute infection. The authors emphasize that diagnosing CFS based on symptoms alone can be risky and may lead to misdiagnosis of other serious conditions.

Postviral fatigue syndrome.

Behan, P O, Behan, W M·Critical reviews in neurobiology·1988

This review examines ME/CFS, a condition that causes severe exhaustion, muscle pain, and cognitive difficulties, sometimes appearing in outbreaks and sometimes in individual cases. Researchers note that patients often experience emotional changes, memory problems, and depression alongside the physical symptoms. The authors suggest that a lingering viral infection may trigger a metabolic problem in the body, which could explain why people feel so severely fatigued.

Energy Metabolism

The myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

Murdoch, J C·Family practice·1988

This review examines myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a relapsing illness that primarily affects young women and causes severe muscle pain and exhaustion. The authors looked at research from the United Kingdom, United States, and New Zealand over 40 years to understand what might cause this condition. They discuss how difficult it is to treat patients when doctors don't know what's causing the illness, and suggest renaming it 'myalgic exhaustion syndrome.'

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome--a diagnosis for consideration.

Portwood, M F·The Nurse practitioner·1988

This article helps doctors recognize ME/CFS by describing its many symptoms, which can range from mild tiredness to severe disability. Patients often report feeling exhausted, achy, and unable to concentrate, yet standard medical tests often appear normal. The article emphasizes that doctors should take these symptoms seriously and help patients manage their condition, even though there is currently no cure.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus-specific DNase and DNA polymerase in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, J F, Williams, M, Schooley, R T et al.·Archives of internal medicine·1988

This 1988 study tested whether people with ME/CFS had unusual antibody patterns against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes mononucleosis. Researchers measured antibodies against viral enzymes that are only produced when EBV is actively replicating. A small group of ME/CFS patients with very high EBV antibody levels did show these unusual enzyme antibodies, similar to patterns seen in people with nasopharyngeal cancer.