ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2420 studies

761–780 of 2,420 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain conditions - vitally protective systems gone wrong.

Pedersen, Maria·Scandinavian journal of pain·2019

This review explains that ME/CFS and chronic pain conditions share important similarities—both involve protective body signals that were helpful in the short term but become problematic when they persist long-term. The authors suggest that our brain's tendency to anticipate and predict threats may play a role in keeping these conditions going, which helps explain why treatments focusing on stress relief and changing thought patterns can sometimes help patients improve.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-2: A Validation Study.

Bedree, Helen, Sunnquist, Madison, Jason, Leonard A·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2019

Researchers improved a questionnaire called the DSQ-2 that helps doctors identify and understand ME/CFS by asking patients about their specific symptoms. They tested this updated questionnaire with 399 people who have ME or CFS and found that it works well at measuring the main symptoms of these illnesses, including post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity), brain fog, pain, and sleep problems. The questionnaire is now a more reliable tool for both diagnosing ME/CFS and understanding how the illness affects different people.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review.

Cortes Rivera, Mateo, Mastronardi, Claudio, Silva-Aldana, Claudia T et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

ME/CFS is a serious, long-lasting illness that affects the brain and causes extreme fatigue and other symptoms, but doctors don't yet know what causes it. The condition is three times more common in women than men, usually starts between ages 20 and 45, and currently has no specific cure. This review summarizes what scientists know about ME/CFS by looking at how it affects the nervous system, immune system, and hormones.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Acute oxalate nephropathy due to high vitamin C doses and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Fijen, Lauré, Weijmer, Marcel·BMJ case reports·2019

This case report describes an elderly man with ME/CFS who developed serious kidney damage after taking high doses of vitamin C supplements. He also had a pancreatic condition that affected his ability to digest fats properly. The combination of these two factors caused harmful crystal buildup in his kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure that required dialysis treatment.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"It's not one size fits all"; the use of videoconferencing for delivering therapy in a Specialist Paediatric Chronic Fatigue Service.

Haig-Ferguson, Andrew, Loades, Maria, Whittle, Charlotte et al.·Internet interventions·2019

This study looked at whether young people with ME/CFS could receive therapy through video calls (like Skype) instead of traveling to hospital appointments. Researchers interviewed 12 young patients, 6 parents, and 9 healthcare workers about their experiences. Most people found video appointments helpful for reducing travel, though some worried about privacy and felt that something was lost compared to face-to-face meetings.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Establishment and evaluation of prediction model for multiple disease classification based on gut microbial data.

Bang, Sohyun, Yoo, DongAhn, Kim, Soo-Jin et al.·Scientific reports·2019

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze bacteria in the gut of patients with six different diseases, including ME/CFS, to see if gut bacteria patterns could help identify which disease a person has. They tested different computer learning methods and found that looking at bacteria at the genus level (a specific classification of microorganisms) worked best, and they identified certain bacterial groups that might serve as disease markers.

BiomarkersGut Microbiome

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Astaxanthin: A Potential Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidant Treatment in Diseases and with Aging.

Sztretye, Mónika, Dienes, Beatrix, Gönczi, Mónika et al.·Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity·2019

This review examines astaxanthin, a powerful natural antioxidant found in marine organisms, and how it might help protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress—an imbalance that occurs in ME/CFS and many other diseases. The authors explain how astaxanthin may work by targeting and protecting mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in our cells. They suggest this compound could potentially help prevent or slow disease progression and aging-related health problems.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jammes, Yves, Retornaz, Frédérique·F1000Research·2019

This study examined how muscles work differently in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that both the brain's ability to signal muscles and the muscles' ability to respond are impaired in ME/CFS patients. The muscles also appear to have trouble managing harmful molecules called free radicals, especially after exercise, and they may not be producing enough protective proteins that normally shield cells from damage.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.

Bjørklund, Geir, Dadar, Maryam, Pen, Joeri J et al.·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·2019

This review article examines how nutrition might play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The authors found that people with CFS often have low levels of certain vitamins and minerals—like vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and others—and that these deficiencies may make CFS symptoms worse. The review suggests that nutritional support could be an important part of treating CFS alongside other medical approaches.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Use of Modafinil in Co-existing Major Depression and ErectileDysfunction: A Case Report].

Karaş, Hakan, Kaşer, Muzaffer·Turk psikiyatri dergisi = Turkish journal of psychiatry·2019

This case report describes one patient with depression who also had erectile dysfunction and fatigue. When the antidepressant fluoxetine alone did not fully help his symptoms, doctors added a stimulant medication called modafinil. After adding modafinil, the patient reported improvements in both his fatigue and erectile dysfunction alongside his mood symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not required

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Definitions, Similarities, and Differences.

Natelson, Benjamin H·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This article examines whether ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are the same illness or two different conditions. The author reviews existing research and concludes that while these conditions share some similarities, they appear to be distinct illnesses with different underlying causes. If they truly are different, it would mean doctors may eventually need different treatment approaches for each condition.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Exercise-induce hyperalgesia, complement system and elastase activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a secondary analysis of experimental comparative studies.

Polli, Andrea, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Meeus, Mira et al.·Scandinavian journal of pain·2019

This study explored whether exercise-triggered immune system changes in ME/CFS patients are connected to increased pain sensitivity. Researchers compared immune markers and pain thresholds in ME/CFS patients and healthy people before and after two different types of exercise. They found a link between changes in a immune protein called C4a and pain sensitivity in ME/CFS patients, but this connection was weak and only showed up in some measurements.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Muscle-tendon weakness contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome in Gaucher's disease.

Roca-Espiau, Mercedes, Andrade-Campos, Marcio, Cebolla, Jorge J et al.·Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research·2019

This study looked at whether stiffness in tendons (the tissues connecting muscles to bones) might contribute to fatigue in patients with Gaucher disease, a genetic disorder. Researchers used an ultrasound technique to examine the Achilles tendon in 27 patients and found that over 60% had abnormal tendon stiffness. Patients with stiffer tendons reported worse quality of life, suggesting that tendon problems could be part of why these patients feel so tired.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Network structure underpinning (dys)homeostasis in chronic fatigue syndrome; Preliminary findings.

Clark, James E, Ng, Wan-Fai, Rushton, Stephen et al.·PloS one·2019

This study looked at how three key body systems (nervous system, stress hormone system, and immune system) work together in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers measured blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones at rest, then used a special mathematical approach to map how these measurements connect to each other. They found that in ME/CFS patients, these connections form a different pattern than in healthy controls, with a few key measurements being especially influential.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Suggested pathology of systemic exertion intolerance disease: Impairment of the E3 subunit or crossover of swinging arms of the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex decreases regeneration of cofactor dihydrolipoic acid of the E2 subunit.

Bohne, Victoria J Berdikova, Bohne, Øyvind·Medical hypotheses·2019

This paper proposes that ME/CFS might result from a problem in how the body converts fuel into energy, specifically involving a protein complex called the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The researchers suggest that when this complex isn't working properly, it causes lactate (a byproduct of metabolism) to build up suddenly in the body, which could explain the exhaustion and post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity) that patients experience. They propose that the body isn't efficiently recycling important molecules needed for energy production, leading to low energy and fatigue.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Gene-2 Upregulation Identifies a Particular Subtype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Kerr, Jonathan R·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This study found that about 38-55% of ME/CFS patients have higher levels of a specific gene called EBI2 turned on in their immune cells. Patients with this EBI2 pattern appear to have more severe symptoms and different antibody levels compared to other ME/CFS patients. Because EBI2 is known to affect both immune function and brain function, finding this subtype could help explain why ME/CFS patients experience such different symptoms and may lead to new treatments.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

The development of a short form of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire.

Sunnquist, Madison, Lazarus, Savitri, Jason, Leonard A·Rehabilitation psychology·2019

Researchers created a shorter version of a commonly used questionnaire that measures ME/CFS symptoms. Instead of 99 questions, the new version has only 14 questions that capture the most important symptoms. This shorter form works well at identifying people with ME/CFS and can be easier for patients to complete, especially those with fatigue and thinking difficulties.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

An Association of Serotonin with Pain Disorders and Its Modulation by Estrogens.

Paredes, Stephania, Cantillo, Santiago, Candido, Kenneth D et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2019

This review article explains how a brain chemical called serotonin affects pain perception, and how female hormones (estrogens) can influence serotonin levels. The authors examine the connection between serotonin, hormones, and several pain conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and migraines. They suggest that targeting serotonin and hormone pathways might offer new treatment options for pain in the future.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Validation of impaired Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 ion channel activity in natural killer cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients.

Cabanas, H, Muraki, K, Balinas, C et al.·Molecular medicine (Cambridge, Mass.)·2019

This study looked at a specific type of protein channel (called TRPM3) found on immune cells called natural killer cells in ME/CFS patients. The researchers used specialized equipment to measure how these channels function and found they work differently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. This difference could help explain why immune function is impaired in ME/CFS and might point toward new treatment options.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia Symptoms Markedly Reduced with Parenteral Vitamins and Minerals: A Case Report.

Bruton, Alisha, Fuller, Leslie·The Permanente journal·2019

This report describes one woman who had both a rare movement disorder (paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia) and chronic fatigue syndrome. When she received weekly injections of vitamins and minerals, her movement disorder symptoms almost completely went away, and she was able to return to her normal daily activities. Genetic testing found several mutations that may help explain why this treatment worked so well for her.

Interventions

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Evidence browser

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and chronic pain conditions - vitally protective systems gone wrong.

The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-2: A Validation Study.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review.

Acute oxalate nephropathy due to high vitamin C doses and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

"It's not one size fits all"; the use of videoconferencing for delivering therapy in a Specialist Paediatric Chronic Fatigue Service.

Establishment and evaluation of prediction model for multiple disease classification based on gut microbial data.

Astaxanthin: A Potential Mitochondrial-Targeted Antioxidant Treatment in Diseases and with Aging.

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Suggestions for a nutritional treatment in the therapeutic approach.

[Use of Modafinil in Co-existing Major Depression and ErectileDysfunction: A Case Report].

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Definitions, Similarities, and Differences.

Exercise-induce hyperalgesia, complement system and elastase activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - a secondary analysis of experimental comparative studies.

Muscle-tendon weakness contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome in Gaucher's disease.

Network structure underpinning (dys)homeostasis in chronic fatigue syndrome; Preliminary findings.

Suggested pathology of systemic exertion intolerance disease: Impairment of the E3 subunit or crossover of swinging arms of the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex decreases regeneration of cofactor dihydrolipoic acid of the E2 subunit.

Epstein-Barr Virus Induced Gene-2 Upregulation Identifies a Particular Subtype of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

The development of a short form of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire.

An Association of Serotonin with Pain Disorders and Its Modulation by Estrogens.

Validation of impaired Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 ion channel activity in natural killer cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients.

Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia Symptoms Markedly Reduced with Parenteral Vitamins and Minerals: A Case Report.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

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