ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2201–2220 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology.

Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Calvo, Natalia, Alegre, José et al.·Comprehensive psychiatry·2015

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients who experienced childhood trauma are more likely to have personality disorders and mental health challenges like depression. Researchers surveyed 166 ME/CFS patients using questionnaires about their childhood experiences and current mental health. They found that about one-third had experienced childhood trauma, and nearly half had signs of a personality disorder. Importantly, emotional trauma (like neglect or abuse) was more strongly connected to personality disorders than physical trauma.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Specific and number of comorbidities are associated with increased levels of temporomandibular pain intensity and duration.

Dahan, Haissam, Shir, Yoram, Velly, Ana et al.·The journal of headache and pain·2015

This study examined how jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder) relates to other chronic pain conditions, particularly in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with jaw pain who also had migraine or ME/CFS experienced more severe and longer-lasting jaw pain. Having multiple pain conditions at the same time was linked to worse jaw pain symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Sympathetic activation is associated with increased IL-6, but not CRP in the absence of obesity: lessons from postural tachycardia syndrome and obesity.

Okamoto, Luis E, Raj, Satish R, Gamboa, Alfredo et al.·American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology·2015

This study looked at how an overactive nervous system relates to inflammation in the body. Researchers compared people with POTS (a condition causing increased heart rate when standing) to healthy controls, both lean and obese. They found that an overactive nervous system was linked to higher levels of IL-6, a marker of inflammation, even in people without obesity—but only obesity combined with nervous system overactivity produced high CRP, another inflammation marker.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Role of polymorphisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in idiopathic environmental intolerances.

De Luca, Chiara, Gugliandolo, Agnese, Calabrò, Carlo et al.·Mediators of inflammation·2015

This study looked at genetic variations in genes that control nitric oxide (a chemical messenger in the body) in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and chemical sensitivities. Researchers found that certain genetic patterns were more common in these patient groups and were associated with higher levels of oxidative stress markers, suggesting these genetic differences might play a role in these overlapping conditions.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and DNA Hypomethylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Promoter 1F Region: Associations With HPA Axis Hypofunction and Childhood Trauma.

Vangeel, Elise, Van Den Eede, Filip, Hompes, Titia et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2015

This study looked at a chemical marker called DNA methylation on a gene (NR3C1) that controls how the body responds to stress. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of this methylation compared to healthy people, which may explain why their bodies don't handle stress hormones properly. Interestingly, childhood trauma did not appear to create additional changes in this marker among ME/CFS patients.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

The role of the partner and relationship satisfaction on treatment outcome in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Verspaandonk, J, Coenders, M, Bleijenberg, G et al.·Psychological medicine·2015

This study looked at how a patient's partner and their relationship quality affect how well cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) works for ME/CFS. Researchers found that when partners were overly helpful or protective (called 'solicitous responses'), patients were less likely to improve significantly from their fatigue and disability. The study suggests that addressing how partners respond to the illness during treatment may be important for better outcomes.

Interventions

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Comorbid personality disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a marker of psychopathological severity.

Calvo, Natalia, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Valero, Sergi et al.·Actas espanolas de psiquiatria·2015

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS are more likely to have personality disorders—long-standing patterns of thinking and behavior that can affect how someone relates to others. Researchers assessed 132 ME/CFS patients and found that about half had traits associated with personality disorders, particularly obsessive-compulsive and avoidant patterns. Patients with these personality traits also reported more depression, irritability, and guilt.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Peterson, D, Brenu, E W, Gottschalk, G et al.·Mediators of inflammation·2015

Researchers tested cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid around the brain and spinal cord) from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see if immune chemicals called cytokines were different. Out of 27 different immune chemicals tested, they found that only one—called IL-10—was lower in ME/CFS patients. This suggests that immune system problems in the brain and nervous system may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cytokine expression provides clues to the pathophysiology of Gulf War illness and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Khaiboullina, Svetlana F, DeMeirleir, Kenny L, Rawat, Shanti et al.·Cytokine·2015

This study looked at chemical messengers in the blood called cytokines to understand Gulf War illness (GWI) and ME/CFS better. Researchers found that certain cytokines could identify ME/CFS patients very well, but were less reliable for GWI patients. The findings suggest that while GWI and ME/CFS share many similar symptoms, they may have different underlying immune system problems.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

[Mapping of function in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Nyland, Harald, Næss, Halvor, Nyland, Morten·Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke·2015

This study examined how different body functions are affected in people with ME/CFS by mapping their characteristics across a group of patients. The research looked at various functional areas to better understand the pattern of symptoms and impairments experienced by those with the condition. This type of mapping helps clinicians and researchers see which functions are most commonly affected and how they relate to each other.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Response to vitamin B12 and folic acid in myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia.

Regland, Björn, Forsmark, Sara, Halaouate, Lena et al.·PloS one·2015

This study looked at 38 ME/CFS patients who were receiving vitamin B12 injections and oral folic acid to see how well this treatment worked for them. Patients who improved the most received more frequent injections at higher doses, took more folic acid, and were less likely to use strong pain medications like opioids. The researchers found that this treatment combination showed real benefits for some patients, particularly when carefully matched to individual needs.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cardiac dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and a small left ventricle.

Miwa, Kunihisa·Heart and vessels·2015

This study looked at heart function in 40 ME/CFS patients compared to 40 healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients frequently had smaller hearts and difficulty standing up without dizziness or other symptoms (orthostatic intolerance). The smaller heart size appeared to pump less blood with each beat, which may explain why patients struggle with upright posture and fatigue.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is different in children compared to in adults: a study of UK and Dutch clinical cohorts.

Collin, Simon M, Nuevo, Roberto, van de Putte, Elise M et al.·BMJ open·2015

This study compared how ME/CFS affects children, teenagers, and adults by looking at patient data from clinics in the UK and a trial in the Netherlands. The researchers found that ME/CFS looks quite different depending on age: younger children were more likely to have sore throats and less likely to have problems with thinking or memory, while teenagers were more prone to headaches and depression. Adults showed more severe fatigue and disability overall.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Increased Risk of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Atopy: A Population-Based Study.

Yang, Tse-Yen, Kuo, Haung-Tsung, Chen, Hsuan-Ju et al.·Medicine·2015

This study tracked over 200,000 people for 4-6 years to see if allergies and atopic conditions (like asthma, eczema, and hay fever) increase the risk of developing ME/CFS. People with atopy were 1.5 times more likely to develop ME/CFS than those without atopy, and the risk was even higher for people with multiple atopic conditions. This suggests a possible link between the body's allergic responses and the development of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Early menopause and other gynecologic risk indicators for chronic fatigue syndrome in women.

Boneva, Roumiana S, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Unger, Elizabeth R·Menopause (New York, N.Y.)·2015

This study looked at whether gynecological conditions—like irregular periods, endometriosis, and early menopause—are more common in women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women. Researchers found that women with ME/CFS reported significantly more gynecological problems and surgeries, including hysterectomies (removal of the uterus) performed at younger ages. The findings suggest that gynecological issues may be connected to ME/CFS, though more research is needed to understand exactly how.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Longitudinal analysis of immune abnormalities in varying severities of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients.

Hardcastle, Sharni Lee, Brenu, Ekua Weba, Johnston, Samantha et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2015

This study tracked immune system changes in 42 ME/CFS patients (divided into moderate and severe groups) and 18 healthy controls over 6 months. Researchers used blood tests to count different types of immune cells. They found that people with severe ME/CFS had noticeably different immune cell patterns than those with moderate ME/CFS or healthy controls, suggesting the immune system may work differently depending on how severe the illness is.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Fatigue in adults with post-infectious fatigue syndrome: a qualitative content analysis.

Stormorken, Eva, Jason, Leonard A, Kirkevold, Marit·BMC nursing·2015

This study interviewed 26 adults with ME/CFS about their fatigue to better understand what they experience. The researchers found that fatigue in ME/CFS is not just tiredness—it's a complex, all-consuming symptom that gets much worse with even small activities and is accompanied by other symptoms like brain fog and pain. The fatigue also changes throughout the day and is triggered by physical activity, emotions, stress, and sometimes things patients don't even realize are triggering it.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Falk Hvidberg, Michael, Brinth, Louise Schouborg, Olesen, Anne V et al.·PloS one·2015

This study measured how ME/CFS affects quality of life using a standard health questionnaire given to Danish ME/CFS patients. The results show that people with ME/CFS report significantly lower quality of life (a score of 0.47 out of 1.0) compared to the general population (0.85), and this impact is worse than 20 other health conditions studied. Even after accounting for other illnesses patients might have, ME/CFS itself was shown to cause substantial harm to daily life and wellbeing.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A Novel Anxiety and Affective Spectrum Disorder of Mind and Body-The ALPIM (Anxiety-Laxity-Pain-Immune-Mood) Syndrome: A Preliminary Report.

Coplan, Jeremy, Singh, Deepan, Gopinath, Srinath et al.·The Journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences·2015

Researchers found that people with anxiety disorders often experience multiple related physical and mental health conditions together—including joint looseness, chronic pain, immune problems, and mood disorders. They studied 76 patients and discovered that over 80% had panic attacks, fibromyalgia, and depression at the same time. This suggests these conditions may be connected as part of a larger syndrome rather than separate illnesses.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Sleep characteristics, exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aerenhouts, Dirk, Ickmans, Kelly, Clarys, Peter et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2015

This study looked at how sleep problems and low activity levels are connected in people with ME/CFS. Researchers measured fitness capacity, sleep patterns, and daily activity in 42 women with ME/CFS and compared them to 24 healthy inactive women. People with ME/CFS slept more, spent more time in bed, had difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and were less physically active than the control group.

Sleep

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Childhood trauma in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: focus on personality disorders and psychopathology.

Specific and number of comorbidities are associated with increased levels of temporomandibular pain intensity and duration.

Sympathetic activation is associated with increased IL-6, but not CRP in the absence of obesity: lessons from postural tachycardia syndrome and obesity.

Role of polymorphisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in idiopathic environmental intolerances.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and DNA Hypomethylation of the Glucocorticoid Receptor Gene Promoter 1F Region: Associations With HPA Axis Hypofunction and Childhood Trauma.

The role of the partner and relationship satisfaction on treatment outcome in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Comorbid personality disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a marker of psychopathological severity.

Cytokines in the cerebrospinal fluids of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Cytokine expression provides clues to the pathophysiology of Gulf War illness and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

[Mapping of function in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Response to vitamin B12 and folic acid in myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia.

Cardiac dysfunction and orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and a small left ventricle.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is different in children compared to in adults: a study of UK and Dutch clinical cohorts.

Increased Risk of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Following Atopy: A Population-Based Study.

Early menopause and other gynecologic risk indicators for chronic fatigue syndrome in women.

Longitudinal analysis of immune abnormalities in varying severities of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients.

Fatigue in adults with post-infectious fatigue syndrome: a qualitative content analysis.

The Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

A Novel Anxiety and Affective Spectrum Disorder of Mind and Body-The ALPIM (Anxiety-Laxity-Pain-Immune-Mood) Syndrome: A Preliminary Report.

Sleep characteristics, exercise capacity and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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