ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

141–160 of 345 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Postural orthostatic tachycardia is not a useful diagnostic marker for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Roerink, M E, Lenders, J W M, Schmits, I C et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2017

This study tested whether a condition called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)—where heart rate increases too much when standing—is a reliable marker for ME/CFS. Researchers found that POTS was equally common in ME/CFS patients and in people with fatigue who don't have ME/CFS, suggesting POTS is not a useful diagnostic tool for ME/CFS. The study did find that adolescents with both conditions responded less well to cognitive behavioral therapy than those with ME/CFS alone.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Are current chronic fatigue syndrome criteria diagnosing different disease phenotypes?

Maclachlan, Laura, Watson, Stuart, Gallagher, Peter et al.·PloS one·2017

This study looked at whether different diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS are actually identifying the same disease or different versions of it. Researchers tested 49 ME/CFS patients and 10 healthy controls using questionnaires and objective tests of heart function and thinking ability. They found that patients reported more autonomic and cognitive symptoms than controls, but objective heart tests didn't show clear differences—though different patient subgroups did show different levels of impairment on cognitive testing.

Autonomic Nervous SystemDiagnosticsCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

Newton, Julia L, Finkelmeyer, Andreas, Petrides, George et al.·Open heart·2016

This study found that people with ME/CFS have smaller hearts and lower blood volumes than healthy people. Interestingly, these differences were not related to how long someone had been sick, suggesting the heart changes are not simply from being inactive. Patients with more severe fatigue tended to have lower plasma volume (the liquid part of blood), which might be a target for future treatment.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Barnden, Leighton R, Kwiatek, Richard, Crouch, Benjamin et al.·NeuroImage. Clinical·2016

This study examined whether blood pressure and heart rate patterns in ME/CFS patients are connected to differences in how their brains are structured or functioning. Researchers used 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and brain MRI scans in 25 ME/CFS patients and 25 healthy people, looking for correlations between the two. They found that ME/CFS patients showed unusual patterns in how their brainstem—the part of the brain that controls automatic functions like heart rate and blood pressure—communicated with other brain regions, suggesting a communication problem rather than structural damage.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Variability of postural orthostatic tachycardia in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and orthostatic intolerance.

Miwa, Kunihisa·Heart and vessels·2016

This study looked at how the hearts and nervous systems of 24 ME/CFS patients with orthostatic intolerance (dizziness or fatigue when standing) behaved on their "good days" versus "bad days." Researchers found that on bad days, patients' hearts raced more when standing up, they couldn't stand as long, and their hearts pumped less blood—suggesting their nervous systems were working abnormally, sometimes overactive and sometimes underactive.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Painful temporomandibular disorders are common in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and impact significantly upon quality of life.

Durham, Justin, McDonald, Claire, Hutchinson, Luke et al.·Journal of oral & facial pain and headache·2015

This study found that people with PoTS (a condition causing rapid heart rate when standing) often also have painful jaw disorders (TMD). Nearly half of the patients studied screened positive for TMD, and those with TMD reported that it significantly worsened their quality of life. The researchers suggest that doctors should routinely check for jaw pain in PoTS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cardiac dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and a small left ventricle.

Miwa, Kunihisa·Heart and vessels·2015

This study looked at heart function in 40 ME/CFS patients compared to 40 healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients frequently had smaller hearts and difficulty standing up without dizziness or other symptoms (orthostatic intolerance). The smaller heart size appeared to pump less blood with each beat, which may explain why patients struggle with upright posture and fatigue.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Comorbidity of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome in an Australian cohort.

Reynolds, G K, Lewis, D P, Richardson, A M et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2014

This study looked at patients with ME/CFS to see how many also have POTS (a condition where heart rate increases too much when standing). The researchers found that about 1 in 9 ME/CFS patients also had POTS, and these patients were younger, got sick more recently, and found it much harder to stand for long periods compared to ME/CFS patients without POTS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High flow variant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome amplifies the cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents.

Pianosi, Paolo T, Goodloe, Adele H, Soma, David et al.·Physiological reports·2014

This study found that about 40% of adolescents with POTS (a condition causing dizziness, fatigue, and rapid heartbeat when standing) have an unusual heart response to exercise: their hearts pump out more blood than expected to keep blood pressure normal. Instead of blood vessels tightening during exercise as they normally do, these patients' blood vessels stay too relaxed, forcing the heart to work harder by pumping more blood to maintain adequate pressure.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue in adult survivors of childhood cancer: associated symptoms, neuroendocrine markers, and autonomic cardiovascular responses.

Zeller, Bernward, Ruud, Ellen, Havard Loge, Jon et al.·Psychosomatics·2014

This study looked at cancer survivors who experience chronic fatigue and compared them to survivors without fatigue. Researchers measured symptoms, stress hormones, and how the body responds to position changes. People with chronic fatigue reported more pain, confusion, and symptoms like heart palpitations and temperature sensitivity, though their heart responses to standing were similar to those without fatigue.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Postural tachycardia syndrome is associated with significant symptoms and functional impairment predominantly affecting young women: a UK perspective.

McDonald, Claire, Koshi, Sharon, Busner, Lorna et al.·BMJ open·2014

This study looked at 136 people in the UK with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS)—a condition where your heart rate increases too much when you stand up—and found that it causes serious tiredness and functional problems, especially in young women. The researchers compared two groups of PoTS patients and found their symptoms and quality-of-life impacts were similar to those in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Importantly, there was no consistent treatment approach across patients, with some taking no medication and others on different drug combinations.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

[Impact of the fibromyalgia in the chronic fatigue syndrome].

Faro, Mónica, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Castro-Marrero, Jesús et al.·Medicina clinica·2014

This study looked at nearly 1,000 ME/CFS patients to see how many also had fibromyalgia (a condition causing widespread pain and fatigue), and whether having both conditions made symptoms worse. They found that about half of the ME/CFS patients also had fibromyalgia, and those patients experienced higher levels of fatigue, pain, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties. People with both conditions reported a much greater impact on their quality of life compared to those with ME/CFS alone.

SleepAutonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Predictors of Post-Infectious Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adolescents.

Jason, Leonard A, Katz, Ben Z, Shiraishi, Yukiko et al.·Health psychology and behavioral medicine·2014

This study followed over 300 teenagers who had infectious mononucleosis to see which ones developed ME/CFS afterward. Researchers measured various factors at baseline, including how tired the teens felt, how many days they spent in bed, stress levels, and mood. The key finding was that the severity of the initial mono illness—particularly how long teens stayed in bed—was the strongest predictor of who would develop ME/CFS within 6 months.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Multivitamin mineral supplementation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maric, Daniela, Brkic, Snezana, Tomic, Slavica et al.·Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research·2014

This study tested whether taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement could help women with ME/CFS feel better. Thirty-eight women took the supplement for 2 months, and researchers measured changes in fatigue, sleep, headaches, and other symptoms. Most symptoms improved notably, including less fatigue and better sleep, though overall quality of life scores did not change.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Relationship between autonomic cardiovascular control, case definition, clinical symptoms, and functional disability in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: an exploratory study.

Wyller, Vegard B, Helland, Ingrid B·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2013

This study looked at how the nervous system controls heart rate in teenagers with ME/CFS and how this relates to their symptoms and disability. Researchers tested 38 teenagers using a tilt test (lying flat then tilting upright) while measuring heart rate changes, and asked them about their symptoms. They found that disability in ME/CFS comes from multiple symptoms—not just fatigue—and that problems with heart rate control are linked to certain symptoms like brain fog and sensitivity to stimulation.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical characteristics of a novel subgroup of chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Lewis, I, Pairman, J, Spickett, G et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2013

Some ME/CFS patients also have POTS (a condition where the heart rate and blood pressure don't adjust properly when standing up). This study found that ME/CFS patients with POTS are younger, experience less severe fatigue and depression, and have different patterns of daytime sleepiness compared to ME/CFS patients without POTS. A simple combination of two questionnaires can accurately identify which ME/CFS patients have POTS, potentially helping doctors decide who needs additional testing and treatment.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Is chronic fatigue syndrome in older patients a different disease? -- a clinical cohort study.

Lewis, Ieuan, Pairman, Jessie, Spickett, Gavin et al.·European journal of clinical investigation·2013

This study compared ME/CFS symptoms and nervous system function in older patients (age 50+) versus younger patients (ages 16-29). Researchers found that older patients experienced more severe fatigue and depression, along with greater imbalance in their autonomic nervous system—the system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions. The results suggest that ME/CFS may present differently and more severely in older adults.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Heart rate variability during sleep and subsequent sleepiness in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Togo, Fumiharu, Natelson, Benjamin H·Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2013

This study looked at how the heart's rhythm changes during sleep in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and whether these changes relate to feeling more or less tired after sleep. Researchers found that some ME/CFS patients who woke up feeling sleepier had different heart rhythm patterns during deep sleep than healthy controls, even though standard sleep measurements looked normal. This suggests the nervous system's control of the heart during sleep might be disrupted in ME/CFS, which could contribute to unrefreshing sleep.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is associated with hyperthyroidism.

Chung, Shiu-Dong, Liu, Shih-Ping, Lin, Ching-Chun et al.·PloS one·2013

This study found that women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) are more than twice as likely to have had hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) compared to women without bladder pain. The researchers reviewed medical records from Taiwan and suggest that doctors treating women with thyroid problems should ask about urinary symptoms.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Impaired blood pressure variability in chronic fatigue syndrome--a potential biomarker.

Frith, J, Zalewski, P, Klawe, J J et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2012

ME/CFS is often associated with problems in the autonomic nervous system, which controls heart rate and blood pressure. This study measured how heart rate and blood pressure respond to position changes in 68 ME/CFS patients and 68 healthy controls. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients showed abnormal patterns in blood pressure variability that could potentially be used as a diagnostic test.

Autonomic Nervous System

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Postural orthostatic tachycardia is not a useful diagnostic marker for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Are current chronic fatigue syndrome criteria diagnosing different disease phenotypes?

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

Autonomic correlations with MRI are abnormal in the brainstem vasomotor centre in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Variability of postural orthostatic tachycardia in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and orthostatic intolerance.

Painful temporomandibular disorders are common in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and impact significantly upon quality of life.

Cardiac dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and a small left ventricle.

Comorbidity of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome in an Australian cohort.

High flow variant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome amplifies the cardiac output response to exercise in adolescents.

Chronic fatigue in adult survivors of childhood cancer: associated symptoms, neuroendocrine markers, and autonomic cardiovascular responses.

Postural tachycardia syndrome is associated with significant symptoms and functional impairment predominantly affecting young women: a UK perspective.

[Impact of the fibromyalgia in the chronic fatigue syndrome].

Predictors of Post-Infectious Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adolescents.

Multivitamin mineral supplementation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Relationship between autonomic cardiovascular control, case definition, clinical symptoms, and functional disability in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: an exploratory study.

Clinical characteristics of a novel subgroup of chronic fatigue syndrome patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome in older patients a different disease? -- a clinical cohort study.

Heart rate variability during sleep and subsequent sleepiness in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is associated with hyperthyroidism.

Impaired blood pressure variability in chronic fatigue syndrome--a potential biomarker.

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