ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1601–1620 of 6,157 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM): the foundation of a relationship.

Mckay, Pamela G, Martin, Colin R, Walker, Helen et al.·British journal of pain·2021

This study compared people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia (FM) to see if these two conditions share similar symptoms and severity. Researchers asked 208 participants from each group to complete questionnaires about their pain, fatigue, sleep quality, mood, and how much these symptoms affected their daily lives. The study found that both groups experienced similarly debilitating symptoms and poor quality of life, suggesting these conditions may be connected in important ways.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Herpesviruses Serology Distinguishes Different Subgroups of Patients From the United Kingdom Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Biobank.

Domingues, Tiago Dias, Grabowska, Anna D, Lee, Ji-Sook et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study looked at whether common herpes viruses (like the ones that cause cold sores and chickenpox) are connected to ME/CFS, and whether different groups of patients—based on what triggered their illness—have different patterns of virus exposure. Researchers tested blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to see if they had antibodies to these viruses. They found some differences between patient groups, but the results were weak and inconsistent depending on how they analyzed the data.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Predicting post-exertional malaise in Gulf War Illness based on acute exercise responses.

Boruch, Alexander E, Lindheimer, Jacob B, Klein-Adams, Jacquelyn C et al.·Life sciences·2021

This study looked at how Gulf War Veterans' bodies responded during exercise and whether those responses could predict post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after physical activity. Veterans with Gulf War Illness had more severe symptom flare-ups after exercising compared to healthy veterans, but the researchers found that common exercise measurements like breathing patterns and muscle pain didn't reliably predict who would experience worse PEM.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Experiential avoidance is associated with medical and mental health diagnoses in a national sample of deployed Gulf War veterans.

Blakey, Shannon M, Halverson, Tate F, Evans, Mariah K et al.·Journal of psychiatric research·2021

This study looked at whether avoiding uncomfortable thoughts and feelings is connected to health problems in Gulf War veterans. Researchers surveyed over 450 veterans and found that those who tend to avoid dealing with difficult emotions were more likely to have PTSD, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and digestive problems—even after accounting for combat exposure and chemical exposure during the war.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Post-Exertional Malaise May Be Related to Central Blood Pressure, Sympathetic Activity and Mental Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Kujawski, Sławomir, Słomko, Joanna, Hodges, Lynette et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study looked at 101 ME/CFS patients to understand post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after activity that many patients experience. Researchers measured blood pressure, nervous system function, and fatigue levels in patients with and without PEM. They found that patients with PEM had higher mental fatigue, lower central blood pressure, and greater nervous system imbalance at rest, but the researchers caution that these findings need to be confirmed by larger studies.

Autonomic Nervous SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design.

Mckay, Pamela G, Walker, Helen, Martin, Colin R et al.·BMJ open·2021

This study compared people diagnosed with ME/CFS to people diagnosed with fibromyalgia to see if their symptoms were actually similar. The researchers found that both groups experienced pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and impacts on quality of life in very similar ways, suggesting these conditions may share common symptom patterns. The findings suggest that how these conditions are currently diagnosed and treated might need to be reconsidered since patients experience their symptoms so similarly.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Beyond bones: The relevance of variants of connective tissue (hypermobility) to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification: an observational study.

Eccles, Jessica A, Thompson, Beth, Themelis, Kristy et al.·Clinical medicine (London, England)·2021

This study looked at whether joint hypermobility (unusual flexibility and loose joints) is connected to fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Researchers found that most patients with these conditions also had signs of hypermobility, and that higher hypermobility scores matched with worse symptoms. The results suggest that hypermobility is often missed in diagnosis, even though it significantly affects how sick people feel.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The impact of COVID-19 stress on pain and fatigue in people with and without a central sensitivity syndrome.

Koppert, Tim Y, Jacobs, Johannes W G, Lumley, Mark A et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This study looked at whether pandemic-related stress made pain and fatigue worse in people with central sensitivity syndromes (conditions like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia) compared to those without these conditions. Researchers surveyed Dutch participants before COVID-19 (2018) and during the pandemic peak (2020), measuring stress levels, symptom severity, and psychological flexibility (the ability to adapt to difficult emotions). Surprisingly, the study found that while stress and symptom severity were generally linked, having a central sensitivity syndrome did not make people more vulnerable to stress-related symptom worsening.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Features of the use of synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones: а 2020 THESIS* questionnaire survey of members of the Belarusian Public Medical Association of Endocrinology and Metabolism].

Shepelkevich, A P, Dydyshka, Yu V, Yurenya, E V et al.·Problemy endokrinologii·2021

This survey asked 146 Belarusian doctors how they treat thyroid problems. Most doctors use levothyroxine (LT4) as the first treatment for low thyroid function. Some doctors said they might add a second thyroid hormone (LT3) for patients who keep feeling tired and unwell even after their blood tests show normal thyroid levels. The doctors noted that when patients have normal thyroid tests but ongoing symptoms, the cause is often stress, other health problems, or unrealistic expectations rather than actual thyroid disease.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Fatigue as the limiting factor for vaginal birth in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Biringer, Kamil, Sivak, Stefan, Sivakova, Jana et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2021

This study looked at 15 women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were pregnant and gave birth between 2015-2020. The researchers found that severe fatigue combined with nerve damage was the main reason why most of these women had caesarean sections instead of vaginal deliveries. The study suggests that better diagnosis and treatment of fatigue during pregnancy might allow more women with MS to have vaginal births safely.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The association between exposure to domestic abuse in women and the development of syndromes indicating central nervous system sensitization: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care records.

Chandan, Joht Singh, Keerthy, Deepiksana, Gokhale, Krishna Margadhamane et al.·European journal of pain (London, England)·2021

This study looked at whether women who experienced domestic abuse were more likely to develop conditions involving chronic pain and nervous system sensitivity, such as fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Researchers compared health records of over 22,000 women who had experienced abuse with nearly 45,000 women who had not. They found that abuse survivors had significantly higher rates of several pain-related conditions, suggesting that trauma may trigger or worsen these syndromes.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Comparative Survey of People with ME/CFS in Italy, Latvia, and the UK: A Report on Behalf of the Socioeconomics Working Group of the European ME/CFS Research Network (EUROMENE).

Brenna, Elenka, Araja, Diana, Pheby, Derek F H·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

Researchers surveyed people with ME/CFS in Italy, Latvia, and the UK to understand how the disease affects their lives and finances. They found that ME/CFS has a serious impact on income and quality of life across all three countries, and that graded exercise therapy (a treatment commonly used in the UK) did not work for patients. The study also revealed differences in how doctors diagnose and treat ME/CFS depending on which country people live in.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Shadow Burden of Undiagnosed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) on Society: Retrospective and Prospective-In Light of COVID-19.

Araja, Diana, Berkis, Uldis, Lunga, Asja et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study examined how many people in Latvia may have ME/CFS symptoms but have never received a diagnosis, and investigated whether COVID-19 might cause similar long-term problems. Researchers compared symptom reports from diagnosed ME/CFS patients with undiagnosed people experiencing similar symptoms, and also tracked people who had recovered from COVID-19. The research found that undiagnosed patients face a significant financial burden on the healthcare system and themselves, and that COVID-19 can trigger ME/CFS-like symptoms in some people.

DiagnosticsLong COVID Overlap

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Risks for Developing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in College Students Following Infectious Mononucleosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Jason, Leonard A, Cotler, Joseph, Islam, Mohammed F et al.·Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2021

This study followed college students to see who developed ME/CFS after getting infectious mononucleosis (mono). Researchers found that about 23% of students who got mono later met criteria for ME/CFS within 6 months. Before getting mono, students who later developed ME/CFS had more physical symptoms and certain immune markers that were different from those who recovered, but they didn't have more stress, anxiety, or depression.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Saliva Fatigue Biomarker Index As a Marker for Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in a Community Based Sample.

Jason, Leonard A, Kalns, John, Richarte, Alicia et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2021

Researchers tested whether a simple saliva test could help diagnose severe ME/CFS in children and teens. They measured two protein fragments in saliva from young people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy controls. The study found that this 'Fatigue Biomarker Index' showed significant differences between those with severe ME/CFS and healthy youth, suggesting it might one day be a useful objective test to help doctors diagnose the condition.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Rome IV Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Health Impairment in Subjects With Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders or Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Lam, Ching Y, Palsson, Olafur S, Whitehead, William E et al.·Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·2021

This study compared stomach and digestive problems in people with hypermobility disorders (including hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) to a general population. Nearly all people with these hypermobility conditions (98%) had one or more functional gastrointestinal disorder, compared to less than half of the comparison group. People with hypermobility disorders also experienced many other widespread body symptoms and used healthcare services much more frequently.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Fatigue in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV2 (PASC) treated with oxygen-ozone autohemotherapy - preliminary results on 100 patients.

Tirelli, U, Franzini, M, Valdenassi, L et al.·European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2021

This study tested whether a treatment called oxygen-ozone autohemotherapy (a procedure where blood is mixed with ozone gas and returned to the body) could help reduce fatigue in 100 people with post-COVID symptoms. On average, the treatment reduced fatigue symptoms by 67%, and about 40% of patients reported nearly complete recovery from fatigue. The benefits appeared similar in men and women.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Evolving phenotypes of non-hospitalized patients that indicate long COVID.

Estiri, Hossein, Strasser, Zachary H, Brat, Gabriel A et al.·BMC medicine·2021

This study looked at medical records from over 96,000 people to identify which health problems are more common in people who had COVID-19 compared to those who didn't. Researchers found that certain symptoms and conditions—including loss of taste and smell, hair loss, chest pain, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and new-onset diabetes—appear more frequently in COVID-19 survivors months after infection. Younger people under 65 developed more of these long-term problems than older adults.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A retrospective cross-sectional study on tinnitus prevalence and disease associations in the Dutch population-based cohort Lifelines.

Schubert, Nick M A, Rosmalen, Judith G M, van Dijk, Pim et al.·Hearing research·2021

This study looked at how common tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is in a large group of Dutch adults and found that about one-third experience it at some point. The researchers discovered that tinnitus is linked to various conditions including hearing problems, heart issues, depression, and notably, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Understanding these connections may help doctors better treat tinnitus and related conditions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Associations between the gut microbiome and fatigue in cancer patients.

Hajjar, Joud, Mendoza, Tito, Zhang, Liangliang et al.·Scientific reports·2021

Researchers studied 88 cancer patients to see if the bacteria living in their gut were connected to cancer-related fatigue. They found that certain beneficial bacteria (Eubacterium hallii) were linked to lower fatigue levels, while other bacteria (Cosenzaea) were linked to higher fatigue. This suggests that the mix of gut bacteria might play a role in how tired cancer patients feel, opening the door to new treatments.

Gut Microbiome

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM): the foundation of a relationship.

Herpesviruses Serology Distinguishes Different Subgroups of Patients From the United Kingdom Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Biobank.

Predicting post-exertional malaise in Gulf War Illness based on acute exercise responses.

Experiential avoidance is associated with medical and mental health diagnoses in a national sample of deployed Gulf War veterans.

Post-Exertional Malaise May Be Related to Central Blood Pressure, Sympathetic Activity and Mental Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Exploratory study into the relationship between the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia (FM) using a quasiexperimental design.

Beyond bones: The relevance of variants of connective tissue (hypermobility) to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS and controversies surrounding diagnostic classification: an observational study.

The impact of COVID-19 stress on pain and fatigue in people with and without a central sensitivity syndrome.

[Features of the use of synthetic analogues of thyroid hormones: а 2020 THESIS* questionnaire survey of members of the Belarusian Public Medical Association of Endocrinology and Metabolism].

Fatigue as the limiting factor for vaginal birth in patients with multiple sclerosis.

The association between exposure to domestic abuse in women and the development of syndromes indicating central nervous system sensitization: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care records.

Comparative Survey of People with ME/CFS in Italy, Latvia, and the UK: A Report on Behalf of the Socioeconomics Working Group of the European ME/CFS Research Network (EUROMENE).

Shadow Burden of Undiagnosed Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) on Society: Retrospective and Prospective-In Light of COVID-19.

Risks for Developing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in College Students Following Infectious Mononucleosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Saliva Fatigue Biomarker Index As a Marker for Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in a Community Based Sample.

Rome IV Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Health Impairment in Subjects With Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders or Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Fatigue in post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV2 (PASC) treated with oxygen-ozone autohemotherapy - preliminary results on 100 patients.

Evolving phenotypes of non-hospitalized patients that indicate long COVID.

A retrospective cross-sectional study on tinnitus prevalence and disease associations in the Dutch population-based cohort Lifelines.

Associations between the gut microbiome and fatigue in cancer patients.

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