ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1861–1880 of 6,209 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Endometriosis as a Comorbid Condition in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Secondary Analysis of Data From a CFS Case-Control Study.

Boneva, Roumiana S, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Wieser, Friedrich et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This study looked at 36 women with ME/CFS to see how many also had endometriosis (a painful condition where tissue grows outside the uterus) and whether it affected their health differently. More than one-third of the women with ME/CFS had endometriosis, and those women reported more ME/CFS symptoms, pelvic pain, and earlier menopause than women with ME/CFS alone. However, endometriosis did not seem to worsen their overall fatigue or functioning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Impairments in cognitive performance in chronic fatigue syndrome are common, not related to co-morbid depression but do associate with autonomic dysfunction.

Robinson, Lucy J, Gallagher, Peter, Watson, Stuart et al.·PloS one·2019

This study found that people with ME/CFS often experience slowing in thinking speed and processing information, particularly in tasks requiring quick reactions. Importantly, these cognitive difficulties are not caused by depression—even patients without depression showed the same thinking problems. The researchers discovered that problems with heart rate regulation (how the body's autonomic nervous system works) were linked to these cognitive difficulties.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Neuropsychological dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome and the relation between objective and subjective findings.

Rasouli, Omid, Gotaas, Merethe Eide, Stensdotter, Ann-Katrin et al.·Neuropsychology·2019

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS who report having trouble thinking and remembering actually show problems on objective cognitive tests. Researchers gave 236 patients questionnaires about memory difficulties and gave them various thinking tests. They found that patients' own reports of cognitive problems didn't strongly match their actual test results, but those with higher fatigue, pain, and depression tended to report more thinking difficulties. The actual cognitive problems found on testing were mainly in speed of thinking and attention.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Long Term Follow up of Young People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Attending a Pediatric Outpatient Service.

Rowe, Katherine S·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This study followed 784 young people with ME/CFS for an average of 8 years to understand how the illness progresses over time. About half of the young people reported recovery within 5 years, and by 10 years, 68% reported feeling recovered. Most young people improved in their ability to function daily, though a small group (5%) remained very unwell. Having supportive doctors, staying involved in school with flexible accommodations, and developing personal management plans were all important for long-term improvement.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Could disease labelling have positive effects? An experimental study exploring the effect of the chronic fatigue syndrome label on intended social support.

Noble, Samara, Bonner, Carissa, Hersch, Jolyn et al.·Patient education and counseling·2019

This study asked university students how they would respond to a close friend who has ME/CFS, comparing situations where the condition was labeled as 'chronic fatigue syndrome' versus unlabeled. When the CFS label was used, students reported they would be more sympathetic, less rejecting, and more supportive of medical treatment for their friend. This suggests that having a recognized disease name might actually help people with ME/CFS receive better social support from their friends.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A possible role for mitochondrial-derived peptides humanin and MOTS-c in patients with Q fever fatigue syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Raijmakers, Ruud P H, Jansen, Anne F M, Keijmel, Stephan P et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2019

This study looked at a specific type of protein fragment called humanin that is made inside cells' energy factories (mitochondria). Researchers found that people with ME/CFS and Q fever fatigue syndrome had lower levels of this protein compared to healthy people. The findings suggest that problems with how these protein fragments are made may be involved in causing fatigue in these conditions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Decreased Expression of the CD57 Molecule in T Lymphocytes of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Espinosa, P, Urra, J M·Molecular neurobiology·2019

Researchers measured levels of a protein called CD57 on immune cells in ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients had significantly lower amounts of CD57 on their T cells (a type of white blood cell). This difference was large enough that measuring CD57 levels could potentially help doctors diagnose ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Epidemiology of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia.

Knight, Sarah, Elders, Shane, Rodda, Jill et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2019

This study looked at how many Australian children develop ME/CFS and what their experiences are like. Researchers tracked newly diagnosed cases over one year and found that the condition is quite rare in children under 10, but becomes more common in teenagers. Interestingly, the rates were very different depending on where children lived in Australia, suggesting some areas may be better at recognizing and diagnosing the condition than others.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Prediction of long-term outcome after cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Janse, Anthonie, Bleijenberg, Gijs, Knoop, Hans·Journal of psychosomatic research·2019

This study followed 511 ME/CFS patients for up to 10 years after they completed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to see which factors predicted who would recover better long-term. Researchers found that patients who started with less severe fatigue, had symptoms for a shorter time before treatment, and felt more in control of their fatigue tended to have better outcomes years later. The study suggests that maximizing improvements during treatment and addressing pain may be important for lasting recovery.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

EBV-requisitioning physicians' guess on fatigue state 6 months after acute EBV infection.

Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre, Pedersen, Maria, Skovlund, Eva et al.·BMJ paediatrics open·2019

This study looked at whether doctors could predict which teenagers with mono (infectious mononucleosis caused by EBV) would develop long-lasting fatigue 6 months later. The researchers found that when doctors initially thought a patient would be 'likely fatigued' or 'unsurely fatigued,' those patients were more likely to actually develop fatigue compared to those predicted as 'not fatigued.' However, the doctors' predictions were only correct about two-thirds of the time.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Günther, Oliver P, Gardy, Jennifer L, Stafford, Phillip et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2019

Researchers used a specialized test to examine antibodies (immune proteins) in the blood of people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They found a pattern of 256 specific protein signatures in ME/CFS patients' blood that was different from healthy people. This suggests the immune system may be reacting to past infections in a way that could help doctors diagnose ME/CFS in the future.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Antibodies to Human Herpesviruses in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Blomberg, Jonas, Rizwan, Muhammad, Böhlin-Wiener, Agnes et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2019

This study looked for evidence that common viruses called herpesviruses might be reactivated or causing problems in ME/CFS patients. Researchers tested blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to measure immune responses (antibodies) against several herpesviruses. While the overall antibody levels were similar between the two groups, the study found subtle differences in how ME/CFS patients' immune systems reacted to a few specific herpesvirus proteins.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Pain is associated with reduced quality of life and functional status in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Strand, Elin Bolle, Mengshoel, Anne Marit, Sandvik, Leiv et al.·Scandinavian journal of pain·2019

This study compared 87 ME/CFS patients with 94 healthy people to understand how pain affects quality of life. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients experience significantly more pain, anxiety, and depression, and have lower quality of life than healthy controls. Within the ME/CFS group, pain was strongly linked to reduced physical functioning and overall quality of life, suggesting that managing pain could help improve how well patients function daily.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cognitive and behavioral coping in people with Chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory study searching for intervention targets for depressive symptoms.

Kraaij, Vivian, Bik, Janneke, Garnefski, Nadia·Journal of health psychology·2019

This study looked at how 30 people with ME/CFS cope with depression by using different thinking and behavior strategies. The researchers found that the way people think about and reframe their problems has a bigger impact on depression than what they do. Focusing on positive aspects, looking at problems in a different light, and avoiding catastrophizing (imagining the worst) seemed to help the most.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Giannoccaro, Maria Pia, Cossins, Judith, Sørland, Kari et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

Researchers tested blood samples from 50 ME/CFS patients and 50 healthy people to see if ME/CFS patients had unusual antibodies (immune proteins) that attack nerve cells. While a small number of both patients and healthy people had some immune activity toward nerve proteins, only one ME/CFS patient had a specific antibody that could be clearly identified. Interestingly, the patients who did have these antibodies tended to have more severe symptoms and had become ill more recently.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Open Trial of Vitamin B12 Nasal Drops in Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Comparison of Responders and Non-Responders.

van Campen, C Linda Mc, Riepma, Klaas, Visser, Frans C·Frontiers in pharmacology·2019

This study tested whether vitamin B12 nasal drops could help people with ME/CFS. Fifty-one patients used the nasal drops for 3 months, and about two-thirds reported feeling better. Those who improved showed increases in their activity levels, better fatigue scores, and significantly higher vitamin B12 levels in their blood. The nasal drops appear to be a practical alternative to vitamin B12 injections for some patients.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A laboratory approach for characterizing chronic fatigue: what does metabolomics tell us?

Erasmus, Elardus, Mason, Shayne, van Reenen, Mari et al.·Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society·2019

This study looked at whether a simple urine test could help measure fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients. Researchers used a specialized scanning technique (NMR) to analyze urine samples from 578 women with chronic fatigue before and after a detoxification challenge, finding that the fatigue group showed different metabolite patterns compared to controls. While the study didn't identify a single reliable biomarker for fatigue, it suggests that fatigue may be connected to how the body processes toxins.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Orthostatic intolerance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Garner, Richard, Baraniuk, James N·Journal of translational medicine·2019

This study looked at dizziness and lightheadedness symptoms in ME/CFS patients when lying down versus standing up. Researchers found that these symptoms were very common in ME/CFS (occurring in 72% of patients when standing) and that they often happened even while lying down—something doctors don't usually check for. Importantly, these symptoms weren't simply caused by a rapid heart rate, suggesting a different mechanism is at play in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the emergency department.

Timbol, Christian R, Baraniuk, James N·Open access emergency medicine : OAEM·2019

This study surveyed 282 people with ME/CFS to understand their experiences in emergency departments (EDs). About 59% had visited an ED, often due to symptoms like dizziness or severe fatigue. Many patients reported that ED staff didn't understand their illness and sometimes dismissed their symptoms as psychological rather than physical, leading to poor experiences and feelings that they weren't taken seriously.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Energy envelope maintenance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Implications of limited energy reserves.

O'connor, Kelly, Sunnquist, Madison, Nicholson, Laura et al.·Chronic illness·2019

This study tested whether staying within your personal energy limits helps people with ME/CFS feel better. Researchers compared six groups of patients based on how much energy they had available and whether they stayed within those limits. The results showed that people with more available energy generally functioned better, but pushing beyond their limits was particularly harmful for those with higher energy reserves.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Endometriosis as a Comorbid Condition in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Secondary Analysis of Data From a CFS Case-Control Study.

Impairments in cognitive performance in chronic fatigue syndrome are common, not related to co-morbid depression but do associate with autonomic dysfunction.

Neuropsychological dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome and the relation between objective and subjective findings.

Long Term Follow up of Young People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Attending a Pediatric Outpatient Service.

Could disease labelling have positive effects? An experimental study exploring the effect of the chronic fatigue syndrome label on intended social support.

A possible role for mitochondrial-derived peptides humanin and MOTS-c in patients with Q fever fatigue syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Decreased Expression of the CD57 Molecule in T Lymphocytes of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Epidemiology of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome in Australia.

Prediction of long-term outcome after cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

EBV-requisitioning physicians' guess on fatigue state 6 months after acute EBV infection.

Immunosignature Analysis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Antibodies to Human Herpesviruses in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Pain is associated with reduced quality of life and functional status in patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Cognitive and behavioral coping in people with Chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory study searching for intervention targets for depressive symptoms.

Searching for Serum Antibodies to Neuronal Proteins in Patients With Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Open Trial of Vitamin B12 Nasal Drops in Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Comparison of Responders and Non-Responders.

A laboratory approach for characterizing chronic fatigue: what does metabolomics tell us?

Orthostatic intolerance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the emergency department.

Energy envelope maintenance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Implications of limited energy reserves.

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