ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2001–2020 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A test of the adaptive network explanation of functional disorders using a machine learning analysis of symptoms.

Melidis, Christos, Denham, Susan L, Hyland, Michael E·Bio Systems·2018

This study looked at whether ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS might result from the body's biological systems becoming overly adapted in ways that backfire. Researchers surveyed 1,751 people with these conditions about their symptoms and used computer analysis to identify patterns. They found that as symptoms become more severe and widespread, the differences between these three conditions blur, suggesting they may share common underlying mechanisms.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Dimensional Personality Assessment among a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sample with Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5).

Calvo, Natalia, Pueyo, Natalia, Gutiérrez, Fernando et al.·Actas espanolas de psiquiatria·2018

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS are more likely to have certain personality traits or patterns. Researchers gave 84 ME/CFS patients a personality assessment test and found that 64% met criteria for a personality disorder. The traits most strongly associated with personality disorders in this group were worry about relationships, repetitive thinking, social withdrawal, and perfectionism.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Reciprocal associations between daily need-based experiences, energy, and sleep in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Campbell, Rachel, Vansteenkiste, Maarten, Delesie, Liesbeth et al.·Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·2018

This study tracked 120 ME/CFS patients for 14 days to understand how their daily psychological needs, energy levels, and sleep quality relate to each other. Researchers found that on days when patients felt their needs were met (feeling in control, capable, and connected to others), they had more energy and better sleep. On days when patients felt frustrated in meeting these needs, they experienced more fatigue and worse sleep quality.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Operationalizing Substantial Reduction in Functioning Among Young Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Gleason, Kristen D, Stoothoff, Jamie, McClellan, Damani et al.·International journal of behavioral medicine·2018

This study looked for the best way to measure the 'substantial reduction in functioning' that is required for ME/CFS diagnosis. Researchers used a standard health survey (SF-36) with young adults (ages 18-29) who had ME/CFS and compared them to people without the condition. They found that specific cutoff scores on four areas of the survey—physical functioning, general health, role physical (ability to work), and social functioning—could accurately identify who has ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The X-Y factor: Females and males with urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome present distinct clinical phenotypes.

Hosier, Gregory W, Doiron, R Christopher, Tolls, Victoria et al.·Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada·2018

This study compared how chronic pelvic pain affects men and women differently. Researchers found that women with pelvic pain had more bladder symptoms, nerve-related symptoms, and were more likely to have other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression. Men and women with the same diagnosis actually experience quite different patterns of pain and related health problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Glucocorticoid receptor DNA methylation and childhood trauma in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Vangeel, Elise Beau, Kempke, Stefan, Bakusic, Jelena et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2018

This study looked at chemical changes (called methylation) on genes that control how the body handles stress in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. The researchers found small but consistent differences in a stress-response gene, particularly in patients who had experienced childhood trauma. While the differences were tiny (about 1-2%), they suggest that ME/CFS may involve changes in how the body's stress system works.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModeratePEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

Improvement in mood, oxidative stress, fatigue, and insomnia following supplementary management with Robuvit®.

Belcaro, Gianni, Saggino, Aristide, Cornelli, Umberto et al.·Journal of neurosurgical sciences·2018

This study tested whether a supplement made from French oak wood called Robuvit® could help people with ME/CFS who experience fatigue, sleep problems, mood difficulties, and high levels of oxidative stress (cellular damage). Eighteen patients took 300 mg of Robuvit® daily for 8 weeks, while 22 others received standard care. The Robuvit® group showed significant improvements in mood, fatigue, sleep, and oxidative stress levels, with no safety concerns reported.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) among adults in Canada: Comorbidity, health care use and employment.

Park, Jungwee, Gilmour, Heather·Health reports·2017

This Canadian study found that about 5.5% of adults (roughly 1.3 million people) report medically unexplained physical symptoms, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and chemical sensitivities. People with these conditions use more healthcare services, have higher rates of other health problems, and struggle more with employment than those without these conditions. About 1 in 4 people with these symptoms said they couldn't get the healthcare they needed.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Persistent neuropsychiatric impairment in HCV patients despite clearance of the virus?!

Dirks, M, Pflugrad, H, Haag, K et al.·Journal of viral hepatitis·2017

This study looked at whether people who had hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection experience long-lasting fatigue, mood problems, and memory difficulties even after the virus is cleared from their body. Researchers found that 85% of HCV patients reported chronic fatigue and about half experienced depression or anxiety, regardless of whether they still had active virus or had been treated. The findings suggest HCV may cause lasting brain-related effects that persist even after successful treatment.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Health care resource use by patients before and after a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME): a clinical practice research datalink study.

Collin, Simon M, Bakken, Inger J, Nazareth, Irwin et al.·BMC family practice·2017

This study looked at doctor visits, tests, prescriptions, and referrals for people diagnosed with ME/CFS compared to similar people without the condition. Researchers found that people who were later diagnosed with ME/CFS visited their doctors much more frequently—both years before they received their diagnosis and for at least 10 years afterward. This suggests that people with ME/CFS have ongoing, significant health needs that require more medical care than the general population.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Altered right anterior insular connectivity and loss of associated functions in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wortinger, Laura Anne, Glenne Øie, Merete, Endestad, Tor et al.·PloS one·2017

This study looked at how the brains of adolescents with ME/CFS work differently compared to healthy teenagers. Researchers used brain imaging to examine a region called the anterior insula, which helps coordinate motivation and responses to pain. They found that this brain region had weaker connections to areas involved in thinking and decision-making in ME/CFS patients, which may help explain why patients struggle with concentration, pain sensitivity, and physical activity.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wyller, Vegard Bruun, Nguyen, Chinh Bkrong, Ludviksen, Judith Anita et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

This study tested whether a protein called TGF-β, which helps regulate immune and stress responses, was elevated in adolescents with ME/CFS. Researchers compared blood levels of TGF-β in 120 young ME/CFS patients to 68 healthy controls and found the protein levels were actually the same in both groups. However, they discovered that in ME/CFS patients, TGF-β levels were connected to stress hormones and fatigue severity, suggesting it may play a role in how the illness affects the body even if it's not simply 'too high.'

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Gross and fine motor function in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rasouli, Omid, Fors, Egil A, Borchgrevink, Petter Chr et al.·Journal of pain research·2017

This study compared how quickly people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia could start moving when they heard a sound, and how well they could do precise hand movements compared to healthy people. Both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia groups were slower to start walking in response to the sound, though their fine hand movements were similar to healthy controls. The results suggest that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia may affect the speed of starting movement, but not the precision of hand tasks.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Well-being in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relationship to Symptoms and Psychological Distress.

Jackson, H, MacLeod, A K·Clinical psychology & psychotherapy·2017

This study looked at well-being in people with ME/CFS, not just focusing on what's wrong, but also on what's right. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower well-being than healthy people, especially in areas like personal growth, feeling in control of life, and self-acceptance. Importantly, well-being was more connected to emotional and psychological symptoms than to physical fatigue itself, suggesting that treating the emotional side of living with ME/CFS might be just as important as treating the fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Familiality and Heritability of Fatigue in an Australian Twin Sample.

Corfield, Elizabeth C, Martin, Nicholas G, Nyholt, Dale R·Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·2017

This study looked at whether fatigue runs in families and whether genetics plays a role. Researchers compared identical twins (who share all genes) with fraternal twins (who share about half) and found that when one twin had fatigue, their identical twin was more likely to also have fatigue than fraternal twins were. The results suggest that about 40% of fatigue differences between people are due to genetics, while the remaining 60% comes from environmental factors or lifestyle.

E2 ModeratePEM not required

Cohort description: The Danish study of Functional Disorders.

Dantoft, Thomas Meinertz, Ebstrup, Jeanette Frost, Linneberg, Allan et al.·Clinical epidemiology·2017

This Danish study looked at nearly 10,000 people from the general population to understand functional somatic syndromes—illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome that cause real suffering but don't show up as traditional diseases on standard medical tests. Researchers collected detailed information about symptoms, health history, lifestyle, and physical fitness, plus blood and other biological samples. The goal was to figure out how common these conditions are, what causes them, and how they affect people's lives.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Current Safety Concerns with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: A Cluster Analysis of Reports in VigiBase®.

Chandler, Rebecca E, Juhlin, Kristina, Fransson, Jonas et al.·Drug safety·2017

Researchers analyzed thousands of reports from a global database of side effects following HPV vaccination. They found that certain combinations of symptoms—headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and fainting—were reported more often after HPV vaccination than with other vaccines, particularly in young women. These symptom clusters resemble conditions like POTS, CRPS, and chronic fatigue syndrome, though most reports did not include an official diagnosis.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and gulf war illness patients exhibit increased humoral responses to the herpesviruses-encoded dUTPase: Implications in disease pathophysiology.

Halpin, Peter, Williams, Marshall Vance, Klimas, Nancy G et al.·Journal of medical virology·2017

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness have unusual immune responses to certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, HHV-6, and varicella-zoster virus. Researchers found that people with these conditions are more likely than healthy people to produce antibodies (immune proteins) against proteins made by these viruses. These antibody patterns might eventually help doctors identify and diagnose these illnesses more accurately.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Widespread Pain in Adolescence: Population Birth Cohort Study.

Norris, Tom, Deere, Kevin, Tobias, Jon H et al.·The journal of pain·2017

This study looked at whether adolescents with ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) are more likely to also have chronic widespread pain. Researchers surveyed about 3,200 teenagers and found that those diagnosed with ME/CFS were nearly four times more likely to have widespread pain than those without ME/CFS. The study also found that depression and anxiety were more strongly linked to having both conditions together than to having either condition alone.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Elevations of Ventricular Lactate Levels Occur in Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

Natelson, Benjamin H, Vu, Diana, Coplan, Jeremy D et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2017

Researchers used brain imaging to measure a substance called lactate in the fluid around the brain in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, both conditions together, and healthy people. They found that lactate levels were higher in all three patient groups compared to healthy controls, but the levels were similar among the three patient groups. This means lactate alone cannot be used to distinguish ME/CFS from fibromyalgia.

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A test of the adaptive network explanation of functional disorders using a machine learning analysis of symptoms.

Dimensional Personality Assessment among a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sample with Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5).

Reciprocal associations between daily need-based experiences, energy, and sleep in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Operationalizing Substantial Reduction in Functioning Among Young Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The X-Y factor: Females and males with urological chronic pelvic pain syndrome present distinct clinical phenotypes.

Glucocorticoid receptor DNA methylation and childhood trauma in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Improvement in mood, oxidative stress, fatigue, and insomnia following supplementary management with Robuvit®.

Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) among adults in Canada: Comorbidity, health care use and employment.

Persistent neuropsychiatric impairment in HCV patients despite clearance of the virus?!

Health care resource use by patients before and after a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME): a clinical practice research datalink study.

Altered right anterior insular connectivity and loss of associated functions in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gross and fine motor function in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Well-being in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relationship to Symptoms and Psychological Distress.

Familiality and Heritability of Fatigue in an Australian Twin Sample.

Cohort description: The Danish study of Functional Disorders.

Current Safety Concerns with Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: A Cluster Analysis of Reports in VigiBase®.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and gulf war illness patients exhibit increased humoral responses to the herpesviruses-encoded dUTPase: Implications in disease pathophysiology.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Widespread Pain in Adolescence: Population Birth Cohort Study.

Elevations of Ventricular Lactate Levels Occur in Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

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