ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

981–1000 of 2,422 studies

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Investigating unexplained fatigue in general practice with a particular focus on CFS/ME.

Bansal, Amolak S·BMC family practice·2016

This paper looks at how doctors in general practice can identify ME/CFS in patients who come in complaining of unexplained tiredness. The authors explain that ME/CFS is a real condition with specific diagnostic criteria, and that normal blood tests (ruling out infections, thyroid problems, and other common causes) combined with careful clinical assessment can confidently diagnose it. They argue that early diagnosis in primary care can reduce patient worry and prevent unnecessary, costly tests.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Complications in operationalizing lifelong fatigue as an exclusionary criterion.

Sunnquist, Madison, Jason, Leonard A, Brown, Abigail et al.·Journal of prevention & intervention in the community·2015

This study looked at whether people who have felt tired their whole lives should be excluded from ME/CFS diagnoses. Researchers asked patients detailed questions about lifelong fatigue and found it was very difficult to determine who truly had it. Importantly, people with and without lifelong fatigue had similar ME/CFS symptoms, suggesting this exclusion rule may not be helpful.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The most popular terms for medically unexplained symptoms: the views of CFS patients.

Picariello, Federica, Ali, Sheila, Moss-Morris, Rona et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2015

This study asked 87 ME/CFS patients which terms they preferred to describe their condition. Patients strongly favored terms that emphasized the physical nature of their illness, with "Persistent Physical Symptoms" being the most popular choice. The findings suggest that how we name this illness matters to patients—they want terminology that reflects that their symptoms are genuinely physical, not imagined or purely psychological.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Soejima, Yuji, Munemoto, Takao, Masuda, Akinori et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2015

Researchers tested a heat therapy called Waon therapy, which uses a far-infrared sauna at 60°C for 15 minutes followed by rest, on 10 people with ME/CFS. After four weeks of daily treatment, patients reported significantly less fatigue and improved mood and daily functioning, with no harmful side effects reported.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Chronic Physical Stress Does Not Interact with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Encoded Dutpase to Alter the Sickness Response.

Aubrecht, Taryn G, Weil, Zachary M, Abi Salloum, Bachir et al.·Journal of behavioral and brain science·2015

Scientists studied whether physical stress (swimming) could make the sickness response worse when combined with a protein from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that some researchers think might play a role in ME/CFS. They gave mice either the virus protein or a placebo, with some mice also swimming daily for two weeks. They found that the virus protein alone caused some sickness behaviors, but adding the swimming stress did not make the response worse.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Development of a group-based self-management programme for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Pinxsterhuis, Irma, Hellum, Live Lange, Aannestad, Hilde Hassum et al.·Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy·2015

Researchers developed and tested a new group-based program to help people with ME/CFS manage their illness better. The program includes educational sessions, group discussions, goal-setting, relaxation exercises, and involves both peer counselors and occupational therapists. Participants found the program helpful, and researchers made improvements based on their feedback before planning to test it more thoroughly in a larger study.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome: An infectious disease.

Underhill, R A·Medical hypotheses·2015

This paper argues that ME/CFS may be caused by an infectious agent that persists in the body, based on evidence like flu-like onset, clustering of cases in outbreaks, and immune responses similar to other infections. The author reviews existing clinical and epidemiological patterns to support an infectious disease hypothesis. However, the paper is a theoretical argument rather than a study presenting new experimental evidence, and no specific pathogen has been identified.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Medical constructions of long-term exhaustion, past and present.

Lian, Olaug S, Bondevik, Hilde·Sociology of health & illness·2015

This study looked at how doctors have understood exhaustion illnesses over time, comparing medical writings from 1860-1930 with those from 1970-2013. Researchers found that how these conditions were described and who had them changed dramatically: what was once seen as a physical disease affecting high-status men became viewed as a mental health problem affecting mostly women. The authors suggest these changes reflect cultural beliefs and values of each era, not just scientific discovery.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Macrophagic myofasciitis and vaccination: consequence or coincidence?

Santiago, Tânia, Rebelo, Olinda, Negrão, Luís et al.·Rheumatology international·2015

This study looked at 16 patients with a muscle condition called macrophagic myofasciitis (MMF), where aluminum from vaccines builds up in muscle tissue at the injection site. Half of these patients also had chronic fatigue syndrome. The researchers found that most patients had received aluminum-containing vaccines before their symptoms started, suggesting vaccines might trigger this muscle condition in some people.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Sleep quality and the treatment of intestinal microbiota imbalance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A pilot study.

Jackson, Melinda L, Butt, Henry, Ball, Michelle et al.·Sleep science (Sao Paulo, Brazil)·2015

This small study tested whether reducing certain bacteria in the gut could improve sleep in people with ME/CFS. Researchers gave 21 participants a short course of antibiotics and measured changes in their gut bacteria and sleep. Seven participants showed significant reduction in a type of bacteria called Streptococcus, and these people did sleep better after treatment. However, most participants' gut bacteria returned to their original state, suggesting the antibiotic effects didn't last.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Central pathways causing fatigue in neuro-inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael, Walder, Ken et al.·BMC medicine·2015

This review proposes that ME/CFS fatigue may be caused by ongoing inflammation and immune system activation in the body, which then damages the brain's support cells (astrocytes) and energy-producing structures (mitochondria). The authors suggest that ME/CFS shares similar biological mechanisms with other inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis and lupus, and recommend that ME/CFS patients be tested for immune activation and receive specific brain imaging to look for evidence of inflammation.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

New acoustic wave therapy improves quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.

d'Alessandro, Aldo, Niglio, Tarcisio, Desogus, Antonello et al.·Annali italiani di chirurgia·2015

This study describes one patient with multiple sclerosis who also had chronic problems with blood flow in the brain and spine (CCSVI). The patient was treated with a non-invasive device called Dreno-MAM® that uses acoustic waves to improve circulation. After two years of follow-up, the patient reported improvements in muscle strength, fatigue, and overall quality of life, and the authors suggest this approach might help people with ME/CFS and other neurological conditions.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Prediction of complex human diseases from pathway-focused candidate markers by joint estimation of marker effects: case of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bhattacharjee, Madhuchhanda, Rajeevan, Mangalathu S, Sillanpää, Mikko J·Human genomics·2015

Researchers used advanced statistical methods to analyze genetic information from ME/CFS patients to see if they could predict who has the disease. They tested a new approach that looks at many genetic variations together across different biological pathways, rather than just a few strong genetic markers. The method achieved 80% accuracy in predicting ME/CFS status, suggesting that genetic testing combined with clinical examination might someday help doctors diagnose ME/CFS earlier.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

HPV vaccination syndrome. A questionnaire-based study.

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel, Martínez-Martínez, Laura-Aline, Reyes-Loyola, Paola·Clinical rheumatology·2015

This study looked at people who developed long-lasting pain, fatigue, and heart/blood pressure problems shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine. Researchers used three validated questionnaires to assess 45 people from 13 countries. Most reported muscle pain, tiredness, and dizziness, and after an average of 4 years, 93% still had severe symptoms preventing them from working or going to school.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Aspects of the non-pharmacological treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Eriksson, Elsa Maria, Andrén, Kristina Ingrid, Kurlberg, Göran Karl et al.·World journal of gastroenterology·2015

This article explains how irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) develops through problems in communication between the gut and brain, especially when the body is stressed or has experienced trauma. The authors suggest that combining traditional gastroenterology care with body-mind therapies—which help patients become more aware of their physical sensations—may be more effective than treating the gut alone.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Post-polio syndrome - a case report].

Pastuszak, Żanna, Tomczykiewicz, Kazimierz, Stępień, Adam·Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego·2015

This case report describes one patient who developed post-polio syndrome (PPS) 36 years after having polio as a child. PPS causes progressive weakness and wasting of muscles, joint pain, and severe fatigue that interferes with daily activities. In this patient, the main problem was worsening weakness and muscle loss in one arm, but by making changes to his lifestyle and work habits, he was able to continue working.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

THE MEASUREMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND POLYPHENOL CONTENT IN SELECTED FOOD SUPPLEMENTS.

Wasek, Marek, Giebułtowicz, Joanna, Sochacka, Małgorzata et al.·Acta poloniae pharmaceutica·2015

This study tested dietary supplements marketed to people with ME/CFS to see if they actually contain the antioxidant compounds claimed on their labels. The researchers used four different laboratory methods to measure how much antioxidant power these supplements have and how much of a compound called polyphenols they contain. The goal was to verify whether these products actually do what they promise.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The relationship between interleukin-6 in saliva, venous and capillary plasma, at rest and in response to exercise.

Cullen, T, Thomas, A W, Webb, R et al.·Cytokine·2015

Researchers measured a protein called IL-6 that the body produces during exercise and inflammation. They took samples from blood and saliva before and after exercise to see if IL-6 levels changed and whether different measurement methods gave similar results. They found that IL-6 increased in blood after exercise, but saliva samples did not show this increase, suggesting saliva may not be a reliable way to track this immune marker.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Modeling diurnal hormone profiles by hierarchical state space models.

Liu, Ziyue, Guo, Wensheng·Statistics in medicine·2015

This study developed a new statistical method to measure hormonal patterns in ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy people. Researchers focused on ACTH, a stress hormone that naturally rises and falls throughout the day in waves. They found that the daily rhythm of this hormone was similar between patients and healthy controls, but patients' hormone pulses were weaker and less frequent.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Morris, Gerwyn, Berk, Michael·BMC medicine·2015

This paper examines how mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of our cells—can become damaged in several conditions including ME/CFS. The authors found that while the specific causes may differ between patients, most people with these conditions share a common problem: their bodies produce too many harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, which damage cells and trigger inflammation. This damage to mitochondria may explain why patients struggle with energy production and fatigue.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Investigating unexplained fatigue in general practice with a particular focus on CFS/ME.

Complications in operationalizing lifelong fatigue as an exclusionary criterion.

The most popular terms for medically unexplained symptoms: the views of CFS patients.

Effects of Waon therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Chronic Physical Stress Does Not Interact with Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Encoded Dutpase to Alter the Sickness Response.

Development of a group-based self-management programme for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome: An infectious disease.

Medical constructions of long-term exhaustion, past and present.

Macrophagic myofasciitis and vaccination: consequence or coincidence?

Sleep quality and the treatment of intestinal microbiota imbalance in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A pilot study.

Central pathways causing fatigue in neuro-inflammatory and autoimmune illnesses.

New acoustic wave therapy improves quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.

Prediction of complex human diseases from pathway-focused candidate markers by joint estimation of marker effects: case of chronic fatigue syndrome.

HPV vaccination syndrome. A questionnaire-based study.

Aspects of the non-pharmacological treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

[Post-polio syndrome - a case report].

THE MEASUREMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AND POLYPHENOL CONTENT IN SELECTED FOOD SUPPLEMENTS.

The relationship between interleukin-6 in saliva, venous and capillary plasma, at rest and in response to exercise.

Modeling diurnal hormone profiles by hierarchical state space models.

The many roads to mitochondrial dysfunction in neuroimmune and neuropsychiatric disorders.

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