ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2101–2120 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Abnormal Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Results of Seed and Data-Driven Analyses.

Gay, Charles W, Robinson, Michael E, Lai, Song et al.·Brain connectivity·2016

This study used brain imaging (MRI) to examine how different regions of the brain communicate with each other in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have weaker communication between certain brain regions, particularly in areas involved in attention and movement. These abnormal communication patterns were directly linked to how severe patients' fatigue symptoms were.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the Role of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis.

Brenu, Ekua W, Broadley, Simon, Nguyen, Thao et al.·Journal of immunology research·2016

This study looked at specific immune cells called CD8+ T cells in people with ME/CFS and compared them to people with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of certain proteins on their CD8+ T cells that help these immune cells function properly. These findings suggest that ME/CFS may involve problems with how immune cells are working, similar to but different from what happens in multiple sclerosis.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Psychological wellbeing and quality-of-life among siblings of paediatric CFS/ME patients: A mixed-methods study.

Velleman, Sophie, Collin, Simon M, Beasant, Lucy et al.·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2016

This study looked at how having a brother or sister with ME/CFS affects the healthy siblings in the family. Researchers asked 34 siblings to answer questions about their mood, anxiety, and quality of life, and found that siblings had higher anxiety levels than other young people their age. When researchers talked in detail with nine of these siblings, they learned that the condition creates stress on family life, leaves siblings confused about what's happening, and can make them feel socially isolated—but good communication and family support can help.

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and genotypes of transient receptor potential ion channel and acetylcholine receptor genes from isolated B lymphocytes in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya, Johnston, Samantha, Chacko, Anu et al.·The Journal of international medical research·2016

This small study looked at genetic differences in immune cells (B cells) from ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had more variations in genes controlling calcium flow and acetylcholine signaling—two processes important for immune cell communication. Some of these genetic variations were much more common in patients with ME/CFS, suggesting they might play a role in the disease.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Long-term methylphenidate intake in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Blockmans, Daniel, Persoons, Philippe·Acta clinica Belgica·2016

This study looked at whether a medication called methylphenidate (also known as Ritalin) could help ME/CFS patients with concentration problems and fatigue over the long term. Researchers sent surveys to patients who had been prescribed this medication and found that about one-third of those still taking it reported significant improvement in both fatigue and concentration difficulties, and were able to work more hours.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Extended B cell phenotype in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Mensah, F, Bansal, A, Berkovitz, S et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2016

Researchers compared immune cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS and healthy people using specialized lab tests. While they didn't find major differences in the most common B cell types, they did discover subtle changes in how B cells are marked and organized in ME/CFS patients, particularly an increase in certain markers on specific B cell subsets. These findings suggest B cells may function differently in ME/CFS and could help explain why some patients improve with a drug that targets B cells.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A potential biomarker for fatigue: Oxidative stress and anti-oxidative activity.

Fukuda, Sanae, Nojima, Junzo, Motoki, Yukari et al.·Biological psychology·2016

This study looked at whether certain markers of cellular damage from harmful molecules (oxidative stress) and the body's ability to repair that damage (antioxidant capacity) could be used to identify ME/CFS patients and measure their fatigue levels. Researchers compared these markers in ME/CFS patients at rest versus healthy people during and after exercise, finding that ME/CFS patients had a different pattern of these markers compared to healthy controls.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclear

Association of mitochondrial DNA variants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms.

Hanson, Maureen R, Gu, Zhenglong, Keinan, Alon et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2016

This study looked at whether variations in mitochondrial DNA (the genetic material in the energy-producing parts of our cells) are linked to ME/CFS. Researchers compared genetic samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. While they didn't find that specific DNA variants caused the disease itself, they did discover that certain genetic variations were associated with specific symptoms and how severe those symptoms were.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Regulatory T, natural killer T and γδ T cells in multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a comparison.

Ramos, Sandra, Brenu, Ekua, Broadley, Simon et al.·Asian Pacific journal of allergy and immunology·2016

This study compared immune system cells in people with ME/CFS, people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of certain regulatory immune cells called Tregs, while MS patients had lower levels of gamma delta T cells. The findings suggest that ME/CFS and MS affect the immune system in different ways, rather than through the same mechanisms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Binocular Vision in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Godts, Daisy, Moorkens, Greta, Mathysen, Danny G P·The American orthoptic journal·2016

This study found that people with ME/CFS have differences in how their eyes work together compared to healthy people. Specifically, ME/CFS patients had weaker ability to focus both eyes on nearby objects, reduced eye convergence (bringing eyes together to focus), and a smaller range of accommodation (adjusting focus from far to near). The researchers suggest that ME/CFS patients may benefit from reading glasses or vision exercises earlier than other people.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia.

Meeus, Mira, Ickmans, Kelly, Struyf, Filip et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2016

This study compared people with ME/CFS to people with multiple sclerosis and healthy volunteers to see how sick they were and how well they could function. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had worse physical abilities (like muscle strength and recovery), more severe symptoms, lower quality of life, and more difficulty with daily activities. They also discovered that when ME/CFS patients also had fibromyalgia (widespread pain), their overall symptom burden was much greater.

DiagnosticsCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Are Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome different illnesses? A preliminary analysis.

Jason, Leonard A, Sunnquist, Madison, Brown, Abigail et al.·Journal of health psychology·2016

This study looked at whether ME/CFS might actually be two different illnesses depending on which diagnostic criteria doctors use. Researchers compared two sets of diagnostic guidelines and found that the stricter ME criteria (International Consensus Criteria) identified patients who were more severely ill and had greater functional problems than the broader chronic fatigue syndrome criteria. This suggests that the criteria doctors use to diagnose the condition can significantly affect who gets identified as having the illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytokine network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hornig, M, Gottschalk, G, Peterson, D L et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2016

Researchers examined fluid from around the spine (cerebrospinal fluid) in ME/CFS patients and compared it to healthy people and those with multiple sclerosis. They found that ME/CFS patients had unusual patterns of immune proteins called cytokines in this fluid, suggesting their immune system in the brain and spinal cord is activated differently. The most notable finding was higher levels of a protein called eotaxin, which typically helps recruit immune cells involved in allergic responses.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Experiences of general practitioner continuity among women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a cross-sectional study.

Hansen, Anne Helen, Lian, Olaug S·BMC health services research·2016

This study asked Norwegian women with ME/CFS about their experiences with their general practitioners across three areas: whether doctors shared information with them, whether their care was well-coordinated, and whether they felt their doctor understood them personally. Most women (about two-thirds) reported positive experiences in all three areas, though information-sharing and care coordination could be improved. The study found that longer relationships with the same GP and better communication were linked to more positive experiences.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: Differences in treatment outcome between a tertiary treatment centre in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Worm-Smeitink, M, Nikolaus, S, Goldsmith, K et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study compared how well cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) worked for ME/CFS patients at two different treatment centers—one in the Netherlands and one in the UK. Both centers used CBT but with slightly different approaches. The Dutch center saw larger improvements in fatigue, physical functioning, and ability to work or socialize compared to the UK center. The researchers found that differences in how patients were treated, rather than differences in the patients themselves, likely explained why one center had better results.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Subjective but Not Actigraphy-Defined Sleep Predicts Next-Day Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Prospective Daily Diary Study.

Russell, Charlotte, Wearden, Alison J, Fairclough, Gillian et al.·Sleep·2016

This study found that how people with ME/CFS feel about their sleep quality matters more for next-day fatigue than what sleep monitors actually measure. When patients reported poor sleep quality or felt their sleep wasn't refreshing, they experienced worse fatigue the following day. Interestingly, people who worried or felt anxious before bed reported worse sleep, and waking up in a bad mood partly explained why poor sleep led to more fatigue.

Sleep

E2 ModeratePEM unclearRegistry-Resource

Comorbidities treated in primary care in children with chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis: A nationwide registry linkage study from Norway.

Bakken, Inger J, Tveito, Kari, Aaberg, Kari M et al.·BMC family practice·2016

This large Norwegian study looked at health problems that children with ME/CFS commonly experience in primary care compared to other children. Children with ME/CFS were much more likely to have records of extreme tiredness, depression, anxiety, migraines, and muscle pain. Interestingly, many children with ME/CFS had a recent infection (especially infectious mononucleosis) before their diagnosis, suggesting infections might play a role in developing the condition.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Tropheryma whipplei in different populations from the North of Spain.

García-Álvarez, Lara, Pérez-Matute, Patricia, Blanco, José Ramón et al.·Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica·2016

Researchers tested stool samples from healthy people, HIV patients, and people with ME/CFS from Spain to see how common a bacterium called Tropheryma whipplei was in each group. They found this bacterium in about 25% of all samples, but it was more common in HIV patients (34%) than in healthy people without other conditions (20%), and was not found in any of the ME/CFS patients tested.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Epidemiological characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in Australian patients.

Johnston, Samantha C, Staines, Donald R, Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya M·Clinical epidemiology·2016

This study looked at 535 Australian patients with ME/CFS to understand who gets the disease and what symptoms they experience. Researchers found that ME/CFS mainly affects middle-aged women who are well-educated, and often starts after infections like the flu or gut illnesses, or during stressful periods. The most common symptoms included extreme fatigue, brain fog, poor sleep, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and sensitivity to temperature changes.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives.

Jason, Leonard A, McManimen, Stephanie, Sunnquist, Madison et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2016

This study looked at 556 ME/CFS patients from three countries to understand how doctors should diagnose this condition. The researchers found that patients fall into different groups based on their symptoms: some have chronic fatigue alone, some have fatigue with other medical reasons, and some have ME/CFS with additional symptoms like problems with exercise recovery, brain fog, and sleep issues. The groups with more specific ME/CFS symptoms were significantly more disabled than those with just general fatigue.

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Abnormal Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Results of Seed and Data-Driven Analyses.

A Preliminary Comparative Assessment of the Role of CD8+ T Cells in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis.

Psychological wellbeing and quality-of-life among siblings of paediatric CFS/ME patients: A mixed-methods study.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and genotypes of transient receptor potential ion channel and acetylcholine receptor genes from isolated B lymphocytes in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Long-term methylphenidate intake in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Extended B cell phenotype in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

A potential biomarker for fatigue: Oxidative stress and anti-oxidative activity.

Association of mitochondrial DNA variants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms.

Regulatory T, natural killer T and γδ T cells in multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a comparison.

Binocular Vision in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

What is in a name? Comparing diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome with or without fibromyalgia.

Are Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome different illnesses? A preliminary analysis.

Cytokine network analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Experiences of general practitioner continuity among women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a cross-sectional study.

Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: Differences in treatment outcome between a tertiary treatment centre in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Subjective but Not Actigraphy-Defined Sleep Predicts Next-Day Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Prospective Daily Diary Study.

Comorbidities treated in primary care in children with chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis: A nationwide registry linkage study from Norway.

High prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of Tropheryma whipplei in different populations from the North of Spain.

Epidemiological characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in Australian patients.

Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives.

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