ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2281–2300 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Psychological outcome, fatigue, and quality of life after infection with shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104.

Löwe, Bernd, Andresen, Viola, Fraedrich, Katharina et al.·Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·2014

After a large bacterial infection outbreak in Germany in 2011, researchers followed patients for 6 months to see how they recovered emotionally and physically. They found that nearly half of the patients experienced persistent, significant fatigue, and many reported depression, trauma-related symptoms, and lower quality of life than healthy people. Patients who had experienced previous trauma, had anxious personalities, or lacked social support were most likely to have ongoing problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Recovery of upper limb muscle function in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia.

Ickmans, Kelly, Meeus, Mira, De Kooning, Margot et al.·European journal of clinical investigation·2014

This study looked at how quickly upper arm muscles recover after exercise in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared three groups: people with ME/CFS alone, people with ME/CFS plus fibromyalgia, and healthy controls. They found that people with both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia had slower muscle recovery than healthy people, but those with ME/CFS alone did not show this difference. This suggests ME/CFS may affect people differently depending on whether they also have fibromyalgia.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[FREQUENCY OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN E DEFICIENCY AMONG PATIENTS WITH IMMUNODEPENDENT DISORDERS].

Kazmirchuk, V Ie, Tsaryk, V V, Sydorenko, O I et al.·Likars'ka sprava·2014

This study examined nearly 5,300 patients with suspected immune problems and found that 7% had abnormally low levels of IgE, an antibody that normally helps fight infections. Among patients with this IgE deficiency, the most common symptoms were recurrent respiratory infections (63%), followed by digestive problems (13%), autoimmune conditions (10%), allergies (7%), and chronic fatigue (7%). The researchers concluded that IgE deficiency is more common than previously recognized and may contribute to various health problems.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Pain and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study.

Winger, Anette, Kvarstein, Gunnvald, Wyller, Vegard Bruun et al.·BMJ open·2014

This study looked at pain in teenagers with ME/CFS compared to healthy teenagers. Teenagers with ME/CFS experienced more pain overall, in more places (headaches, stomach, muscles, and joints), and had lower pain thresholds—meaning their bodies reacted to pressure more sensitively. The researchers found that pain significantly interfered with daily activities in those with ME/CFS.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

A comparison of health status in patients meeting alternative definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Johnston, Samantha C, Brenu, Ekua W, Hardcastle, Sharni L et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2014

This study compared two different sets of criteria used to diagnose ME/CFS and looked at how severely the disease affected patients who met each definition. Researchers found that patients meeting the stricter International Consensus Criteria (ICC) definition had worse physical functioning, more pain, and greater disability than those who only met the older CDC criteria. This suggests that the ICC criteria identify a more severely affected group of patients within the broader ME/CFS population.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with the risk of fracture: a nationwide cohort study.

Chen, C-S, Lin, W-M, Yang, T-Y et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2014

This study found that people with ME/CFS have a higher risk of breaking bones compared to people without ME/CFS. Researchers followed nearly 4,000 patients with ME/CFS and about 15,000 without the condition over several years and found that fractures occurred more frequently in the ME/CFS group. Interestingly, this increased fracture risk did not appear to be mainly caused by weakened bones (osteoporosis), suggesting a different mechanism may be at play.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: a population-based matched-cohort study.

Chung, Shiu-Dong, Lin, Ching-Chun, Liu, Shih-Ping et al.·Neurourology and urodynamics·2014

This study found that people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition where breathing stops repeatedly during sleep—are nearly 4 times more likely to develop bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) compared to people without OSA. Researchers followed over 32,000 people in Taiwan for 3 years and tracked who developed BPS/IC. The findings suggest that sleep problems and bladder pain may be connected, and doctors should ask patients with sleep apnea about urinary symptoms.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Use of an online survey to explore positive and negative outcomes of rehabilitation for people with CFS/ME.

Gladwell, Peter William, Pheby, Derek, Rodriguez, Tristana et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2014

This study asked 76 people with ME/CFS about their experiences with rehabilitation therapies like graded exercise. Researchers found that people had both positive and negative experiences. Good experiences happened when therapists communicated well, helped patients set realistic goals, and worked at a sustainable pace. Bad experiences occurred when therapists pushed patients too hard, didn't listen to their concerns, or blamed patients when symptoms got worse.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Evidence for the existence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) with and without abdominal discomfort (irritable bowel) syndrome.

Maes, Michael, Leunis, Jean-Claude, Geffard, Michel et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2014

This study found that many people with ME/CFS experience stomach and digestive problems, and this appears to be linked to bacteria from the gut leaking into the bloodstream. Researchers identified two groups of ME/CFS patients: those with significant abdominal discomfort and those without. The group with digestive symptoms showed higher levels of immune responses to gut bacteria, suggesting their intestinal barrier may be more permeable.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Dimensions of pure chronic fatigue: psychophysical, cognitive and biological correlates in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neu, Daniel, Mairesse, Olivier, Montana, Xavier et al.·European journal of applied physiology·2014

This study compared 16 people with ME/CFS to 14 healthy controls to understand fatigue better. Researchers measured attention, reaction time, muscle strength, sleep patterns, and immune markers (cytokines). They found that people with ME/CFS had cognitive problems, slower reactions, weaker grip strength, and higher levels of certain inflammatory markers—but their sleep time was actually similar to controls.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

What is the current NHS service provision for patients severely affected by chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis? A national scoping exercise.

McDermott, Clare, Al Haddabi, Atheer, Akagi, Hiroko et al.·BMJ open·2014

This study looked at how NHS specialist centres in England were caring for people with severe ME/CFS who are too ill to leave their homes or beds. Researchers asked all 49 NHS specialist ME/CFS services about their treatment for severely affected patients. The results showed significant gaps: one-third of services didn't treat housebound patients at all, while just over half followed recommended treatment guidelines. Only one hospital in England offered inpatient specialist care for ME/CFS.

Severe ME

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

How is paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis diagnosed and managed by paediatricians? An Australian Paediatric Research Network Study.

Knight, Sarah, Harvey, Adrienne, Towns, Susan et al.·Journal of paediatrics and child health·2014

This study asked Australian pediatricians how they diagnose and treat children with ME/CFS. Only 39% of the doctors who responded said they actually diagnose and manage this condition, and they used very different approaches from each other. The doctors found that children with ME/CFS often also have anxiety, depression, and other conditions, and most used a team approach involving teachers, physiotherapists, and psychologists.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome and personality: a case-control study using the Alternative Five Factor Model.

Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Valero, Sergi, Calvo, Natalia et al.·Psychiatry research·2014

This study looked at personality traits in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people without the condition. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to have lower levels of activity and drive, and higher levels of anxiety and worry. These personality differences were the strongest markers that could distinguish ME/CFS patients from people without the condition.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Can recovery of peripheral muscle function predict cognitive task performance in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia?

Ickmans, Kelly, Meeus, Mira, De Kooning, Margot et al.·Physical therapy·2014

This study looked at whether better physical recovery after exercise could predict better thinking skills in people with ME/CFS, with and without fibromyalgia. Researchers tested 78 people—some with ME/CFS only, some with both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, and healthy controls—measuring their attention, focus, and memory, then their muscle recovery after an arm exercise test. They found that in ME/CFS patients, better physical recovery was linked to better cognitive performance, and the group with both conditions showed more thinking problems than healthy controls.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attention processes in chronic fatigue syndrome: attentional bias for health-related threat and the role of attentional control.

Hou, Ruihua, Moss-Morris, Rona, Risdale, Anna et al.·Behaviour research and therapy·2014

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS pay more attention to health-related words and images, and whether difficulty controlling attention might be connected to this pattern. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS do tend to focus more on health-threat words, and many also have trouble with executive attention (the mental control needed to stay focused). Importantly, people with ME/CFS who had weaker attention control showed the strongest focus on health threats.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Stress management skills, cortisol awakening response, and post-exertional malaise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Hall, Daniel L, Lattie, Emily G, Antoni, Michael H et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2014

This study looked at whether learning better stress management skills could help reduce post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the exhaustion that happens after physical or mental activity in ME/CFS. Researchers measured stress hormones called cortisol in saliva samples from 117 people with ME/CFS and found that those who reported better stress management skills had healthier cortisol patterns and less severe PEM symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue and depression in sick-listed chronic low back pain patients.

Snekkevik, Hildegun, Eriksen, Hege R, Tangen, Tone et al.·Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)·2014

This study looked at 569 people with chronic lower back pain who were off work, and found that about 70% of them experienced severe fatigue. People with more fatigue also reported more pain, depression, and disability. Importantly, fatigue was able to predict who would have more difficulty functioning 6 to 12 months later, even after accounting for pain and depression.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Longitudinal follow-up of employment status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome after mononucleosis.

Nyland, Morten, Naess, Halvor, Birkeland, Jon Steinar et al.·BMJ open·2014

This study followed young patients with ME/CFS (triggered by mononucleosis) over 13 years to see how many could return to work. Surprisingly, about half of patients who initially couldn't work were able to return to part-time or full-time employment by the follow-up. The study found that depression, joint pain, and how long someone has been sick were linked to staying unable to work.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Implementing evidence-based practice for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wiborg, Jan F, Wensing, Michel, Tummers, Marcia et al.·Clinical psychology & psychotherapy·2014

This study looked at whether community mental health centres could successfully offer cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) to ME/CFS patients using a training manual and support. Three centres treated over 40 patients each, with good results—most patients improved in fatigue and physical functioning. The research found that while the manual was helpful, therapists still needed direct support from experts when starting out.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Prevalence, health care utilization, and costs of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel, and chronic fatigue syndromes in the military health system, 2006-2010.

Jeffery, Diana D, Bulathsinhala, Lakmini, Kroc, Michelle et al.·Military medicine·2014

This study looked at how many military service members had fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome between 2006 and 2010. Fibromyalgia diagnoses increased significantly during this period, while chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses stayed about the same. The cost of treating fibromyalgia cases rose dramatically, especially after new fibromyalgia medications became available.

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Psychological outcome, fatigue, and quality of life after infection with shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O104.

Recovery of upper limb muscle function in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia.

[FREQUENCY OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN E DEFICIENCY AMONG PATIENTS WITH IMMUNODEPENDENT DISORDERS].

Pain and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy controls: a cross-sectional study.

A comparison of health status in patients meeting alternative definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with the risk of fracture: a nationwide cohort study.

Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: a population-based matched-cohort study.

Use of an online survey to explore positive and negative outcomes of rehabilitation for people with CFS/ME.

Evidence for the existence of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) with and without abdominal discomfort (irritable bowel) syndrome.

Dimensions of pure chronic fatigue: psychophysical, cognitive and biological correlates in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

What is the current NHS service provision for patients severely affected by chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis? A national scoping exercise.

How is paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis diagnosed and managed by paediatricians? An Australian Paediatric Research Network Study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and personality: a case-control study using the Alternative Five Factor Model.

Can recovery of peripheral muscle function predict cognitive task performance in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without fibromyalgia?

Attention processes in chronic fatigue syndrome: attentional bias for health-related threat and the role of attentional control.

Stress management skills, cortisol awakening response, and post-exertional malaise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Fatigue and depression in sick-listed chronic low back pain patients.

Longitudinal follow-up of employment status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome after mononucleosis.

Implementing evidence-based practice for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prevalence, health care utilization, and costs of fibromyalgia, irritable bowel, and chronic fatigue syndromes in the military health system, 2006-2010.

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