ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1701–1720 of 6,157 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Clinically accessible tools for documenting the impact of orthostatic intolerance on symptoms and function in ME/CFS.

Lee, Jihyun, Wall, Pelle, Kimler, Chris et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study looked at how much time ME/CFS patients can spend upright (standing or walking around) each day and how this relates to dizziness and other symptoms caused by orthostatic intolerance—a condition where symptoms get worse when standing or being active. Researchers compared 25 women with ME/CFS to 25 healthy women and found that ME/CFS patients spend far fewer hours upright and experience much worse symptoms that interfere with daily life. The study suggests that measuring upright hours and asking patients about orthostatic symptoms could be helpful tools for doctors diagnosing and managing ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

MCP-1 is increased in patients with CFS and FM, whilst several other immune markers are significantly lower than healthy controls.

Groven, Nina, Fors, Egil Andreas, Stunes, Astrid Kamilla et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study looked at immune system markers in the blood of people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. Researchers found that one immune marker called MCP-1 was higher in patients, while many other immune markers were actually lower than in healthy controls. This suggests the immune system may work differently in these conditions, though the exact meaning of these differences is still unclear.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Prediction of Discontinuation of Structured Exercise Programme in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Kujawski, Sławomir, Cossington, Jo, Słomko, Joanna et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This study looked at why some people with ME/CFS could complete a gradual exercise programme while others had to stop. Researchers measured several body functions—like nervous system activity, reaction time, and heart rate—before the programme started. They found that people whose bodies showed higher stress responses and slower reaction times were more likely to drop out of the exercise programme.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

OnabotulinumtoxinA Is an Effective Treatment for Chronic Migraine in Patients With Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Sastre Real, María, Díaz de Terán, Javier·Frontiers in neurology·2020

This study looked at whether a migraine treatment called botulinum toxin (Botox) could help people who have both chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. Researchers found that about two-thirds of patients improved within 3 months, and by 12 months, nearly 70% had at least a 50% reduction in severe headache days. The treatment was generally safe with only mild side effects.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Validation of the Severity of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Other Measures than History: Activity Bracelet, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and a Validated Activity Questionnaire: SF-36.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Visser, Frans C·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study tested whether doctors can accurately grade how severe a patient's ME/CFS is based on what patients tell them. Researchers compared clinical severity grades (mild, moderate, or severe) with three objective measures: a questionnaire about physical function, a wristband that counts daily steps, and a heart/lung exercise test. The results confirmed that the clinical grades matched up well with these objective measurements, suggesting that doctors' assessments based on patient reports are reasonably accurate.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Unravelling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Gender-specific changes in the microRNA expression profiling in ME/CFS.

Cheema, Amanpreet K, Sarria, Leonor, Bekheit, Mina et al.·Journal of cellular and molecular medicine·2020

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of people with ME/CFS to understand how their immune system responds to exercise. The researchers discovered that men and women with ME/CFS show different patterns in these molecules, and they also found that nutritional status affects these patterns. These findings could help explain why some people experience worsening symptoms after exercise (post-exertional malaise) and suggest that treatment approaches may need to differ between men and women.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Resting-state functional connectivity, cognition, and fatigue in response to cognitive exertion: a novel study in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Josev, Elisha K, Malpas, Charles B, Seal, Marc L et al.·Brain imaging and behavior·2020

Researchers compared how the brains of teenagers with ME/CFS and healthy teenagers responded to a mentally demanding task using brain imaging. Both groups showed similar changes in brain activity and felt more tired after the mental effort. However, teenagers with ME/CFS started out more fatigued, performed worse on thinking tasks overall, and may have less energy available to draw from when their brain works hard.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Plasma proteomic profiling suggests an association between antigen driven clonal B cell expansion and ME/CFS.

Milivojevic, Milica, Che, Xiaoyu, Bateman, Lucinda et al.·PloS one·2020

Researchers studied blood proteins in ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to look for disease markers. They found that certain immune-related proteins, particularly immunoglobulin proteins (which are part of the immune system), were abnormal in ME/CFS patients and could help identify who has the disease. The results suggest ME/CFS involves an overactive or dysregulated immune response.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Changes in DNA methylation profiles of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients reflect systemic dysfunctions.

Helliwell, A M, Sweetman, E C, Stockwell, P A et al.·Clinical epigenetics·2020

This study looked at chemical tags on DNA called methylation patterns in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. These tags can turn genes on or off without changing the DNA itself. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have different methylation patterns, particularly in genes related to energy production, immune function, and brain chemistry, which may help explain why they experience the symptoms they do.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Properties of measurements obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Davenport, Todd E, Stevens, Staci R, Stevens, Jared et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

Researchers tested whether a standard exercise test (cardiopulmonary exercise test, or CPET) could reliably measure how ME/CFS affects the body's ability to exercise. They had 51 women with ME/CFS and 10 healthy women do the same exercise test twice, 24 hours apart. The results showed that the measurements were consistent and clearly different between the two groups, suggesting that CPET could be a useful tool for assessing ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Shikova, Evelina, Reshkova, Valentina, Kumanova, Аntoniya et al.·Journal of medical virology·2020

Researchers tested 58 ME/CFS patients and 50 healthy people for three common viruses (EBV, CMV, and HHV-6) that have been suspected of triggering ME/CFS. They found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher rates of active EBV infection in their bloodstream compared to healthy people, though most people in both groups carried these viruses in a dormant state. This suggests that for some patients, active EBV infection may play a role in ME/CFS development.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Autoimmunity-Related Risk Variants in PTPN22 and CTLA4 Are Associated With ME/CFS With Infectious Onset.

Steiner, Sophie, Becker, Sonya C, Hartwig, Jelka et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2020

This study looked at specific genetic variations that are known to affect how the immune system works. Researchers compared DNA from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, and found that certain genetic variations were more common in ME/CFS patients whose illness started with an infection. These genetic changes affect how immune cells are controlled, suggesting that autoimmunity may play a role specifically in ME/CFS cases that begin with an infection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Preliminary ICF core set for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in rehabilitation medicine.

Bileviciute-Ljungar, Indre, Schult, Marie-Louise, Borg, Kristian et al.·Journal of rehabilitation medicine·2020

Researchers studied 100 ME/CFS patients to identify which body functions, activities, and life areas are most affected by the illness. They found that nearly all patients experience severe fatigue, poor sleep, and pain, while most struggle with work, household tasks, and socializing. This study created a standardized checklist that doctors can use to understand and measure how ME/CFS impacts different aspects of patients' lives.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Scherbakov, Nadja, Szklarski, Marvin, Hartwig, Jelka et al.·ESC heart failure·2020

This study looked at blood vessel function in people with ME/CFS by measuring how well small arteries in the arm respond to increased blood flow. Researchers found that about half of ME/CFS patients had abnormal blood vessel responses, compared to only 20% of healthy people. People with this blood vessel problem reported more severe fatigue, more frequent need for rest breaks, and worse immune-related symptoms like sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The Role of Iron Metabolism in Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Knyszyńska, Anna, Radecka, Aleksandra, Zabielska, Paulina et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2020

This study looked at whether iron levels in the blood are connected to fatigue, depression, and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers tested blood samples from 90 MS patients and found that people with lower iron storage (ferritin) levels tended to have worse depression and lower quality of life. The study suggests that iron deficiency might play a role in how MS patients experience fatigue and mood problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Self-reported cognitive impairment in individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease.

Sowers, Kerri L, Gayda-Chelder, Christine A, Galantino, Mary Lou·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study looked at whether people with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID)—a condition where the immune system doesn't work properly—experience brain fog or memory problems. Researchers asked 292 people with PID to fill out surveys about their memory, mood, and anxiety. They found that people with PID reported significantly more memory problems and higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to people without these conditions.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Tai, Foong Way David, Palsson, Olafur S, Lam, Ching Y et al.·Neurogastroenterology and motility·2020

This study looked at people with joint hypermobility disorders (including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) to understand how often they experience stomach and digestive problems. The researchers found that those who also have POTS (a condition affecting heart rate and blood pressure when standing) had significantly more digestive issues than those without POTS. The digestive problems remained worse in the POTS group even after accounting for other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Hospital Records of Pain, Fatigue, or Circulatory Symptoms in Girls Exposed to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Cohort, Self-Controlled Case Series, and Population Time Trend Studies.

Thomsen, Reimar Wernich, Öztürk, Buket, Pedersen, Lars et al.·American journal of epidemiology·2020

This large Danish study looked at whether the HPV vaccine (which prevents cervical cancer) was linked to symptoms like pain, fatigue, or heart problems in girls. Researchers compared vaccinated and unvaccinated girls over 14 years and found no increase in hospital visits for these symptoms in vaccinated girls. The symptoms they tracked increased over time in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children, suggesting other factors were responsible.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Machine Learning Detects Pattern of Differences in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Data between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI).

Provenzano, Destie, Washington, Stuart D, Rao, Yuan J et al.·Brain sciences·2020

This study used brain imaging (fMRI) and computer learning programs to see if people with ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness have different patterns of brain activity during memory tasks, both before and after exercise. Researchers found that computer programs could correctly distinguish between the two conditions about 75-82% of the time, and identified about 30-33 brain regions that showed different activation patterns between the two groups. This suggests that ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness may have measurable biological differences in how the brain works during cognitive tasks and recovery from exertion.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK.

Adamson, James, Ali, Sheila, Santhouse, Alastair et al.·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2020

This study looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy focused on changing thoughts and behaviors—helps people with ME/CFS feel better in a real-world clinic setting. Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 patients receiving CBT and found that most improved in fatigue, physical functioning, and social life, with 85% reporting they felt better and 90% satisfied with treatment.

Interventions

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Evidence browser

Clinically accessible tools for documenting the impact of orthostatic intolerance on symptoms and function in ME/CFS.

MCP-1 is increased in patients with CFS and FM, whilst several other immune markers are significantly lower than healthy controls.

Prediction of Discontinuation of Structured Exercise Programme in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

OnabotulinumtoxinA Is an Effective Treatment for Chronic Migraine in Patients With Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Validation of the Severity of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Other Measures than History: Activity Bracelet, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and a Validated Activity Questionnaire: SF-36.

Unravelling myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Gender-specific changes in the microRNA expression profiling in ME/CFS.

Resting-state functional connectivity, cognition, and fatigue in response to cognitive exertion: a novel study in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Plasma proteomic profiling suggests an association between antigen driven clonal B cell expansion and ME/CFS.

Changes in DNA methylation profiles of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients reflect systemic dysfunctions.

Properties of measurements obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and human herpesvirus-6 infections in patients with myalgic еncephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Autoimmunity-Related Risk Variants in PTPN22 and CTLA4 Are Associated With ME/CFS With Infectious Onset.

Preliminary ICF core set for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in rehabilitation medicine.

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Role of Iron Metabolism in Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Self-reported cognitive impairment in individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Hospital Records of Pain, Fatigue, or Circulatory Symptoms in Girls Exposed to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Cohort, Self-Controlled Case Series, and Population Time Trend Studies.

Machine Learning Detects Pattern of Differences in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Data between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI).

Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK.

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