ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2061–2080 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study.

Baraniuk, James N·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2017

This study compared two different sets of diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS by surveying a large representative sample of Americans. The researchers found that using the less strict Oxford criteria identified far more people as having ME/CFS (about 20-25%) compared to the stricter CDC (Fukuda) criteria (about 2%). When they looked more carefully at who truly had ME/CFS using both fatigue severity and other symptom requirements, they found that 85% of people labeled as CFS by the Oxford criteria didn't actually meet the stricter definition.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Activin B is a novel biomarker for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) diagnosis: a cross sectional study.

Lidbury, Brett A, Kita, Badia, Lewis, Donald P et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

Researchers tested blood samples from people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy controls, looking for differences in proteins called activins. They found that people with ME/CFS had significantly higher levels of a protein called activin B, while activin A remained normal. This pattern could potentially be used as a blood test to help diagnose ME/CFS, since currently there is no reliable diagnostic test available.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Prevalence of and risk factors for severe cognitive and sleep symptoms in ME/CFS and MS.

Jain, Vageesh, Arunkumar, Amit, Kingdon, Caroline et al.·BMC neurology·2017

This study compared cognitive problems (like trouble concentrating and memory issues) and sleep difficulties in people with ME/CFS and people with MS. Researchers found that cognitive and sleep problems were much more common in ME/CFS patients—98% reported trouble concentrating, and 55% reported severe unrefreshing sleep. The study also identified that ME/CFS patients who were older, current smokers, or had lower incomes were more likely to experience severe symptoms.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Specialist treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME: a cohort study among adult patients in England.

Collin, Simon M, Crawley, Esther·BMC health services research·2017

This study looked at how 952 ME/CFS patients fared after receiving treatment at 11 specialist NHS clinics in England. One year after starting treatment, about 27% felt much better, 37% felt a little better, but 20% felt the same or worse. Even 2-5 years later, 85% of patients still had ME/CFS symptoms, showing that this is a long-lasting condition that often continues despite specialist care.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Cytokine responses to exercise and activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: case-control study.

Clark, L V, Buckland, M, Murphy, G et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2017

This study examined whether people with ME/CFS have abnormal immune protein levels (cytokines) in their blood, especially after physical activity. Researchers compared 24 ME/CFS patients with 21 healthy controls and measured multiple immune markers at rest and after exercise. The study found no significant differences in immune protein levels between the two groups, and no link between post-exertional symptoms and increased cytokine levels.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCommentaryPEM unclearCommentary

Support for the microgenderome invites enquiry into sex differences.

Wallis, Amy, Butt, Henry, Ball, Michelle et al.·Gut microbes·2017

This study looked at how gut bacteria, sex hormones, and the immune system interact differently in men and women with ME/CFS. The researchers found that the relationship between specific types of bacteria in the gut and ME/CFS symptoms varies between males and females. This suggests that biological sex may play an important role in how the microbiome affects ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Patterns of control beliefs in chronic fatigue syndrome: results of a population-based survey.

Doerr, Johanna M, Jopp, Daniela S, Chajewski, Michael et al.·BMC psychology·2017

This study looked at how ME/CFS patients think about their ability to solve problems and manage their condition. Researchers surveyed 113 people with ME/CFS, 264 with severe fatigue that didn't quite meet CFS criteria, and 124 healthy people. They found that people who didn't feel confident in their problem-solving skills were much more likely to have ME/CFS or severe fatigue. Interestingly, some healthy people also had low confidence, suggesting that mindset alone doesn't determine who gets ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Do changes in illness perceptions, physical activity, and behavioural regulation influence fatigue severity and health-related outcomes in CFS patients?

De Gucht, V, Garcia, F K, den Engelsman, M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study followed 144 CFS patients over one year to understand how their beliefs about their illness and their activity patterns affected their fatigue and overall health. Researchers found that patients who increasingly believed their illness had serious consequences and who used an all-or-nothing approach to activity (doing too much then crashing) tended to have worse fatigue. Illness beliefs also affected physical symptoms and mood, while activity patterns influenced both fatigue and physical functioning.

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 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.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An assessment of fatigue in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Wise, Shelby, Ross, Amanda, Brown, Abigail et al.·Journal of health psychology·2017

This study looked at fatigue in people with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), a condition that shares many symptoms with ME/CFS. Researchers asked 138 young people with POTS to describe their fatigue and brain fog using questionnaires. They found that fatigue comes in multiple forms and that people with POTS fall into two groups: those with mild symptoms and those with severe symptoms, with the severe group experiencing much worse brain fog and activity limitations.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Whole blood gene expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: an exploratory cross-sectional study suggesting altered B cell differentiation and survival.

Nguyen, Chinh Bkrong, Alsøe, Lene, Lindvall, Jessica M et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

This study looked at blood samples from 29 teenagers with ME/CFS and compared them to 18 healthy teens to see if their genes were working differently. The researchers found that certain immune cells involved in fighting infection were not developing or surviving normally in the ME/CFS group, and that signs of inflammation and antiviral activity were higher. These gene changes were connected to nervous system problems and symptoms like post-exertional malaise (feeling much worse after activity).

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

Differential effects of childhood trauma subtypes on fatigue and physical functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.

De Venter, Maud, Illegems, Jela, Van Royen, Rita et al.·Comprehensive psychiatry·2017

This study looked at whether different types of childhood trauma are linked to fatigue and physical disability in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that childhood sexual harassment was strongly associated with worse fatigue and lower physical functioning, while other types of trauma (emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical threat, and sexual abuse) showed no significant connection. The findings suggest that the specific type of childhood trauma may matter when understanding how trauma relates to ME/CFS symptoms.

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 unclearCross-Sectional

Poor sleep quality is associated with greater circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and severity and frequency of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) symptoms in women.

Milrad, Sara F, Hall, Daniel L, Jutagir, Devika R et al.·Journal of neuroimmunology·2017

This study looked at 60 women with ME/CFS to understand how sleep quality affects their symptoms and inflammation levels. Researchers found that women who slept poorly had higher levels of inflammatory substances in their blood and experienced more severe fatigue and ME/CFS symptoms. The findings suggest that improving sleep quality might help reduce both inflammation and symptom severity in people living with ME/CFS.

Immune System

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

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 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

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Evidence browser

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome prevalence is grossly overestimated using Oxford criteria compared to Centers for Disease Control (Fukuda) criteria in a U.S. population study.

Activin B is a novel biomarker for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) diagnosis: a cross sectional study.

Prevalence of and risk factors for severe cognitive and sleep symptoms in ME/CFS and MS.

Specialist treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME: a cohort study among adult patients in England.

Cytokine responses to exercise and activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: case-control study.

Support for the microgenderome invites enquiry into sex differences.

Patterns of control beliefs in chronic fatigue syndrome: results of a population-based survey.

Do changes in illness perceptions, physical activity, and behavioural regulation influence fatigue severity and health-related outcomes in CFS patients?

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.

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

An assessment of fatigue in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Whole blood gene expression in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: an exploratory cross-sectional study suggesting altered B cell differentiation and survival.

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

Differential effects of childhood trauma subtypes on fatigue and physical functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cohort description: The Danish study of Functional Disorders.

Poor sleep quality is associated with greater circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and severity and frequency of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) symptoms in women.

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

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

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

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