ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1321–1340 of 6,157 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A cross-sectional study exploring the relationship between symptoms of anxiety/depression and P50 sensory gating in adult patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Liu, Xinyi, Liu, Sitong, Ren, Runtao et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2023

This study looked at 249 people with ME/CFS to understand how anxiety and depression relate to a specific brain activity pattern called P50 sensory gating. Researchers used questionnaires to measure anxiety and depression, and brain scans (EEG) to measure how well the brain filters out repetitive sounds. They found that abnormal filtering of sounds was linked to anxiety, depression, and fatigue severity.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Medical assistance in dying when natural death is not reasonably foreseeable: Survey of providers' experiences with patients making track 2 requests.

Wiebe, Ellen, Kelly, Michaela·Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2023

This study looked at how doctors in Canada handled requests from patients with serious chronic illnesses who asked for medical assistance in dying (MAID) between March and September 2021. Among 54 patients who made these requests, about 15% had ME/CFS or similar complex chronic conditions, and 52% had chronic pain. Doctors reported struggling most with patients who also had mental health conditions and uncertainty about whether patients had tried all available treatments.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A distinctive profile of family genetic risk scores in a Swedish national sample of cases of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome compared to rheumatoid arthritis and major depression.

Kendler, Kenneth S, Rosmalen, Judith G M, Ohlsson, Henrik et al.·Psychological medicine·2023

This study looked at the family histories of over 5 million Swedish people to understand whether ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome share common genetic roots. Researchers found that people with these conditions have a distinctive pattern of genetic risk that affects multiple body systems—including pain, mood, immune function, and sleep—rather than being limited to one specific area like depression or rheumatoid arthritis. This suggests these functional somatic disorders may arise from a complex genetic vulnerability affecting several interconnected systems rather than a single cause.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and affecting factors.

Pasin, Tugce, Karatekin, Bilinc Dogruoz, Pasin, Ozge·Northern clinics of Istanbul·2023

This study looked at mothers caring for children with cerebral palsy to see how many developed ME/CFS and what factors affected them. The researchers found that about 80% of the mothers met the clinical criteria for ME/CFS, with mothers who stayed home having more severe fatigue than those who worked full-time. The child's hand and arm function appeared to be an important factor in how severe the mother's fatigue became.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Characteristics of Persistent Symptoms Manifested after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Specialized Clinic for Vaccination-Related Adverse Events.

Tokumasu, Kazuki, Fujita-Yamashita, Manami, Sunada, Naruhiko et al.·Vaccines·2023

Researchers at a specialized clinic in Japan studied 121 patients who experienced long-lasting symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The most common symptoms were numbness or tingling sensations (28% of patients), extreme tiredness (25%), fever (17%), and headaches (17%). Some patients developed serious conditions including ME/CFS, and most symptoms started within a week of vaccination but lasted months or longer.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Investigating the factors associated with meaningful improvement on the SF-36-PFS and exploring the appropriateness of this measure for young people with ME/CFS accessing an NHS specialist service: a prospective cohort study.

Gaunt, Daisy, Brigden, Amberly, Metcalfe, Chris et al.·BMJ open·2023

This study followed 193 young people with ME/CFS at a UK NHS specialist service to see how many improved over 6-12 months and what factors predicted improvement. About 40% showed meaningful improvement at 6 months, rising to 54% at 12 months. Interestingly, young people who started with worse physical function scores were actually more likely to show improvement, but very few other patient characteristics predicted who would get better.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Exploring the joint potential of inflammation, immunity, and receptor-based biomarkers for evaluating ME/CFS progression.

Berkis, Uldis, Svirskis, Simons, Krumina, Angelika et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2023

This study looked for blood markers that could help doctors understand how severe ME/CFS is and track disease progression. Researchers measured inflammation-related proteins, immune system components, and antibodies against nerve receptors in blood samples from healthy people and patients with mild, moderate, and severe ME/CFS. They found that certain markers—especially antibodies against beta2-adrenergic and M4 receptors, along with specific immune proteins—showed promise for distinguishing disease severity, with over 90% accuracy in identifying who has ME/CFS versus who is healthy.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Connectivity Between Salience and Default Mode Networks and Subcortical Nodes Distinguishes Between Two Classes of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Su, Jiasheng, Thapaliya, Kiran, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·Brain connectivity·2023

This study used brain imaging (fMRI) to examine how different brain networks communicate in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have different patterns of brain connectivity, particularly in networks involved in attention and the brain's rest-state activity. Importantly, the study discovered that two different diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS (ICC and Fukuda) appear to identify distinct brain differences, suggesting they may represent different disease types.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

The relevance of pacing strategies in managing symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Ghali, Alaa, Lacombe, Valentin, Ravaiau, Camille et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This study looked at whether pacing—a strategy where patients carefully manage their activity levels to avoid overexertion—helps people recover from long COVID. Researchers followed 86 patients for about 10 months and found that about one-third returned to work and another quarter improved significantly. Patients who stuck with pacing strategies most consistently had the best outcomes, with 60% recovering compared to only 5.5% of those who didn't follow pacing closely.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

[Implications of the quality of the doctor-patient relationship on health in adult ME/CFS patients. A qualitative public health study from a patien perspective].

Habermann-Horstmeier, Lotte, Horstmeier, Lukas M·MMW Fortschritte der Medizin·2023

This study surveyed 544 ME/CFS patients about their experiences with doctors. Most patients reported feeling unsupported, misunderstood, and dismissed—with doctors not recognizing ME/CFS as a real biological disease. These poor relationships with healthcare providers led to serious consequences: patients avoided doctors, lost trust in medicine, and some even experienced thoughts of suicide. The researchers conclude that doctors need to treat ME/CFS patients as experts in their own illness and develop better, patient-centered care approaches.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery.

Martín, Franz, Blanco-Suárez, Manuel, Zambrano, Paola et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2023

This study found that people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia may have a 'leaky gut'—where the intestinal barrier doesn't work as well as it should. Researchers measured several substances in the blood that indicate gut barrier problems and inflammation, and found higher levels in both patient groups compared to healthy people. These findings suggest that gut dysfunction might play a role in these conditions and could eventually help doctors identify and understand these diseases better.

Immune System

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Evaluating case diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): toward an empirical case definition.

Conroy, Karl E, Islam, Mohammed F, Jason, Leonard A·Disability and rehabilitation·2023

This study looked at how doctors diagnose ME/CFS by analyzing symptoms reported by over 2,300 patients from around the world. Researchers used statistical methods to identify which symptoms tend to occur together, then compared their findings to three existing diagnostic guidelines. They found that the symptoms cluster into seven main groups, with post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity), cognitive problems, and sleep issues being particularly important.

SleepPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The multi-generational familial aggregation of interstitial cystitis, other chronic nociplastic pain disorders, depression, and panic disorder.

Allen-Brady, Kristina, Fyer, Abby J, Weissman, Myrna·Psychological medicine·2023

This study found that interstitial cystitis (a chronic bladder pain condition) and several other conditions—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and panic disorder—tend to run in families. Researchers looked at medical records and family trees of over a century of people in Utah to see if relatives of patients with these conditions had higher rates of the same or related conditions. They discovered that these six conditions share something in common genetically, meaning a family history of any one of them may increase the risk of developing others.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not required

Health outcomes of sensory hypersensitivities in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Maeda, Kensei I, Islam, Mohammed F, Conroy, Karl E et al.·Psychology, health & medicine·2023

This study looked at how common sensitivity to light and sound are in people with ME/CFS compared to people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers surveyed over 2,200 people and found that people with ME/CFS experience these sensitivities much more often than people with MS. People who had both light and sound sensitivity reported feeling worse overall than those without these sensitivities.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Coscia, Francesco, Mancinelli, Rosa, Gigliotti, Paola Virginia et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at how physical activity affected fatigue and other symptoms in people with Long COVID-19. Researchers compared people who stayed active with those who were sedentary and tracked their symptoms over 6 to 12 months. They found that people who remained physically active experienced a larger drop in fatigue over time compared to those who were inactive, though both groups still had muscle weakness and sleep problems.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A comparison of pain, fatigue, and function between post-COVID-19 condition, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome: a survey study.

Haider, Saman, Janowski, Adam J, Lesnak, Joseph B et al.·Pain·2023

This study surveyed 707 people with post-COVID-19, fibromyalgia, and/or ME/CFS to compare their symptoms. Researchers found that all three conditions share similar patterns of pain, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and depression that impact daily life. People with post-COVID-19 reported somewhat less severe pain and fatigue than those with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS, but those with multiple diagnoses had worse symptoms overall.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredLongitudinal

Long-term symptom severity and clinical biomarkers in post-COVID-19/chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a prospective observational cohort.

Legler, Franziska, Meyer-Arndt, Lil, Mödl, Lukas et al.·EClinicalMedicine·2023

This study followed 106 people with long-term fatigue after COVID-19 for up to 20 months to see how they recovered over time. Researchers found that some patients met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS and had persistent, severe symptoms including fatigue and post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity), while others improved more substantially. Lower muscle strength at the start of illness was linked to ongoing symptoms, especially in those with ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredLongitudinal

One-year follow-up of young people with ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus.

Pricoco, Rafael, Meidel, Paulina, Hofberger, Tim et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2023

This study followed 25 young people (12 teenagers and 13 young adults) who developed ME/CFS after having infectious mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Researchers checked on their symptoms and quality of life at the start, 6 months, and 12 months later. Teenagers showed better improvement over the year, with more than half no longer meeting ME/CFS criteria, while young adults continued to have severe symptoms with little improvement.

Severe MEBiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Utility of Serum Ferritin for Predicting Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Patients with Long COVID.

Yamamoto, Yukichika, Otsuka, Yuki, Tokumasu, Kazuki et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2023

This study looked at 234 people with long COVID to understand why some developed ME/CFS (a severe fatigue condition) while others didn't. Researchers found that people who developed ME/CFS had significantly higher levels of ferritin, a protein that stores iron, in their blood compared to those with long COVID fatigue alone or no fatigue. The finding was especially strong in women, suggesting that a simple blood test measuring ferritin might help predict who is at risk of developing ME/CFS after COVID-19.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High Perceived Stress and Low Self-Efficacy are Associated with Functional Somatic Disorders: The DanFunD Study.

Petersen, Marie Weinreich, Carstensen, Tina Birgitte Wisbech, Frostholm, Lisbeth et al.·Clinical epidemiology·2023

This study of over 9,600 Danish people examined whether stress and confidence in one's abilities are connected to functional somatic disorders—conditions like chronic fatigue, widespread pain, and irritable bowel syndrome where symptoms are real but don't have a clear physical cause. The researchers found that people with these conditions tend to feel more stressed and have lower confidence in their abilities compared to healthy people, though their stress levels were not necessarily higher than people with serious physical diseases.

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A cross-sectional study exploring the relationship between symptoms of anxiety/depression and P50 sensory gating in adult patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Medical assistance in dying when natural death is not reasonably foreseeable: Survey of providers' experiences with patients making track 2 requests.

A distinctive profile of family genetic risk scores in a Swedish national sample of cases of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome compared to rheumatoid arthritis and major depression.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and affecting factors.

Characteristics of Persistent Symptoms Manifested after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination: An Observational Retrospective Study in a Specialized Clinic for Vaccination-Related Adverse Events.

Investigating the factors associated with meaningful improvement on the SF-36-PFS and exploring the appropriateness of this measure for young people with ME/CFS accessing an NHS specialist service: a prospective cohort study.

Exploring the joint potential of inflammation, immunity, and receptor-based biomarkers for evaluating ME/CFS progression.

Connectivity Between Salience and Default Mode Networks and Subcortical Nodes Distinguishes Between Two Classes of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The relevance of pacing strategies in managing symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

[Implications of the quality of the doctor-patient relationship on health in adult ME/CFS patients. A qualitative public health study from a patien perspective].

Increased gut permeability and bacterial translocation are associated with fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for disease-related biomarker discovery.

Evaluating case diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): toward an empirical case definition.

The multi-generational familial aggregation of interstitial cystitis, other chronic nociplastic pain disorders, depression, and panic disorder.

Health outcomes of sensory hypersensitivities in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

A comparison of pain, fatigue, and function between post-COVID-19 condition, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome: a survey study.

Long-term symptom severity and clinical biomarkers in post-COVID-19/chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a prospective observational cohort.

One-year follow-up of young people with ME/CFS following infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus.

Utility of Serum Ferritin for Predicting Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Patients with Long COVID.

High Perceived Stress and Low Self-Efficacy are Associated with Functional Somatic Disorders: The DanFunD Study.

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