ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2341–2360 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Prognostic factors for recent-onset interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Warren, John W, Clauw, Daniel J, Langenberg, Patricia·BJU international·2013

This study followed 304 women with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS)—a condition causing bladder pain, urgency, and frequent urination—for about 3 years after their symptoms started. Researchers found that women who had mild symptoms at the beginning were more likely to stay mild, while women who also had chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) tended to develop more severe bladder symptoms over time.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Treatment of 741 Italian patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tirelli, U, Lleshi, A, Berretta, M et al.·European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·2013

This study looked at 741 ME/CFS patients treated at an Italian hospital between 2000 and 2005 to see which treatments helped the most. Antiviral and immunoglobulin drugs (which boost the immune system) showed the best results, with about 15% of patients improving. The study also found that patients who received 4 or more different treatments had better outcomes than those who received fewer treatments.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Temporal organization of rest defined by actigraphy data in healthy and childhood chronic fatigue syndrome children.

Kawabata, Minako, Ueno, Taro, Tomita, Jun et al.·BMC psychiatry·2013

This study looked at sleep and rest patterns in healthy children and children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) using wristband activity trackers. The researchers found that when they looked at the patterns of rest and sleep separately—distinguishing between time spent out of bed versus in bed—children with CFS had different patterns compared to healthy children. This suggests that how the body organizes rest and activity may be disrupted in CFS.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A comparison of sex-specific immune signatures in Gulf War illness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Smylie, Anne Liese, Broderick, Gordon, Fernandes, Henrique et al.·BMC immunology·2013

This study compared immune system markers in blood samples from Gulf War veterans with illness, people with ME/CFS, and healthy controls. Researchers measured immune chemicals (called cytokines) before, during, and after exercise to see if different patterns could identify each group. They found distinct immune fingerprints for each condition, and importantly, these patterns differed between men and women.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Multiscale analysis of heart rate variability in non-stationary environments.

Gao, Jianbo, Gurbaxani, Brian M, Hu, Jing et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2013

This study looked at how the heart rate patterns of people with ME/CFS differ from healthy people, especially when they're under stress. Researchers used advanced computer methods to analyze heart rate data collected during a social stress test. They found that before the stress test, people with ME/CFS had noticeably different heart rate patterns than healthy controls, but these differences became smaller during the stress test itself.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Latent class analysis of comorbidity patterns among women with generalized and localized vulvodynia: preliminary findings.

Nguyen, Ruby Hn, Veasley, Christin, Smolenski, Derek·Journal of pain research·2013

This study examined 1,457 women with vulvodynia (chronic vulvar pain) to understand which other pain conditions tend to occur together. Researchers found that women with more severe vulvar pain were much more likely to also have multiple other pain conditions, particularly irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. The findings suggest that these different pain conditions may share common underlying causes.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The role of the therapeutic relationship in cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Heins, Marianne J, Knoop, Hans, Bleijenberg, Gijs·Behaviour research and therapy·2013

This study looked at whether the quality of the relationship between patients and their CBT therapist affects how much CBT helps reduce fatigue in ME/CFS. Researchers followed 217 patients through CBT treatment and measured both the therapeutic relationship (like whether patients felt heard and had confidence in treatment) and changes in fatigue-related thoughts and behaviors. They found that when patients started therapy with positive expectations and felt they understood what the therapy aimed to do, they experienced better improvements in fatigue by the end of treatment.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Migraine in gulf war illness and chronic fatigue syndrome: prevalence, potential mechanisms, and evaluation.

Rayhan, Rakib U, Ravindran, Murugan K, Baraniuk, James N·Frontiers in physiology·2013

This study found that migraines are very common in people with ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness—occurring in about 8 out of 10 ME/CFS patients and 6 out of 10 Gulf War Illness patients, compared to only 1 out of 8 healthy people. The researchers suggest that both conditions may affect how the brain and nervous system process pain, and that doctors should routinely check for and treat migraines in patients with these illnesses.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Lack of evidence for retroviral infections formerly related to chronic fatigue in Spanish fibromyalgia patients.

Oltra, Elisa, García-Escudero, María, Mena-Durán, Armando Vicente et al.·Virology journal·2013

Researchers tested whether two viruses previously thought to be linked to ME/CFS and fibromyalgia were actually present in Spanish patients with these conditions. They found no reliable evidence that either virus was present in patient samples, and concluded that earlier positive results were likely due to contamination in the laboratory rather than genuine infections.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue and personality: a twin study of causal pathways and shared liabilities.

Poeschla, Brian, Strachan, Eric, Dansie, Elizabeth et al.·Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine·2013

This study looked at whether personality traits like emotional stability and sociability are connected to chronic fatigue and ME/CFS. Researchers studied 245 pairs of twins and found that people who are more emotionally unstable tend to have more chronic fatigue, while people who are less outgoing also experience more fatigue. Interestingly, emotional instability and fatigue appear to be linked through shared genes, but low sociability may actually contribute to fatigue in a way that works both directions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

In myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, increased autoimmune activity against 5-HT is associated with immuno-inflammatory pathways and bacterial translocation.

Maes, Michael, Ringel, Karl, Kubera, Marta et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2013

This study found that people with ME/CFS often develop antibodies (immune proteins) against serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. These antibodies were linked to higher levels of inflammation, signs of bacteria leaking from the gut, and worse symptoms including pain, fatigue, brain fog, and mood changes. The findings suggest ME/CFS involves immune system problems that may contribute to the condition's core symptoms.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Examining the impact of obesity on individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Flores, Samantha, Brown, Abigail, Adeoye, Samuel et al.·Workplace health & safety·2013

This study looked at how weight affects people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people of similar weight. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS who were overweight or obese had worse health and functioning than healthy people carrying the same amount of weight. The findings suggest that having ME/CFS makes weight-related health challenges even more difficult.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Heart rate variability during sleep and subsequent sleepiness in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Togo, Fumiharu, Natelson, Benjamin H·Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2013

This study looked at how the heart's rhythm changes during sleep in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and whether these changes relate to feeling more or less tired after sleep. Researchers found that some ME/CFS patients who woke up feeling sleepier had different heart rhythm patterns during deep sleep than healthy controls, even though standard sleep measurements looked normal. This suggests the nervous system's control of the heart during sleep might be disrupted in ME/CFS, which could contribute to unrefreshing sleep.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Human endogenous retrovirus-K18 superantigen expression and human herpesvirus-6 and human herpesvirus-7 viral loads in chronic fatigue patients.

Oakes, Brendan, Hoagland-Henefield, Matthias, Komaroff, Anthony L et al.·Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2013

Researchers tested whether two common viruses (HHV-6 and HHV-7) and a genetic element called HERV-K18 were present at higher levels in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. They measured these in blood and saliva samples from 39 ME/CFS patients and 9 healthy people. They found no significant differences between the two groups, and these markers did not correlate with how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: complex presentations and protracted time to diagnosis.

Knight, Sarah, Harvey, Adrienne, Lubitz, Lionel et al.·Journal of paediatrics and child health·2013

This study looked at 59 young people (average age 15) diagnosed with ME/CFS at a specialist clinic in Australia to understand how the illness affects them and how long it takes to get diagnosed. Researchers found that young people typically wait over a year after their symptoms start before getting a diagnosis, and most experience significant problems with school attendance and daily activities. The most common symptoms included extreme tiredness, sleep problems, pain, and difficulty thinking clearly.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brewer, Joseph H, Thrasher, Jack D, Straus, David C et al.·Toxins·2013

Researchers tested urine samples from 112 ME/CFS patients to see if they had been exposed to mycotoxins—toxic substances produced by mold found in water-damaged buildings. They found that 93% of patients had detectable mycotoxins in their urine, with most patients having been exposed to moldy buildings. When they tested urine from 55 healthy people with no mold exposure, none showed mycotoxins at detectable levels.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

HIV-associated fatigue in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: novel biological mechanisms?

Payne, B A I, Hateley, C L, Ong, E L C et al.·HIV medicine·2013

This study looked at fatigue in people living with HIV who were taking modern HIV medications and had their virus under control. Surprisingly, about half of these patients still reported significant fatigue, even though their HIV was suppressed and their immune systems were recovering. The researchers found that fatigue was often linked to problems with blood pressure control (orthostatic intolerance) and previous exposure to certain older HIV medications.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The role of neuroticism, perfectionism and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome. A structural equation modeling approach.

Valero, Sergi, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Calvo, Natalia et al.·Comprehensive psychiatry·2013

This study examined whether personality traits and depression influence how severe ME/CFS symptoms are in patients. Researchers looked at 229 ME/CFS patients and tested whether neuroticism (a tendency toward negative emotions) and perfectionism affect fatigue severity, and whether depression acts as a connecting link between these traits and fatigue. They found that neuroticism appears to influence fatigue severity primarily through depression—meaning people with high neuroticism tend to develop depression, which then worsens fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Association of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis with urinary calculus: a nationwide population-based study.

Keller, Joseph, Chen, Yi-Kuang, Lin, Herng-Ching·International urogynecology journal·2013

This study looked at whether people with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) are more likely to have had kidney stones or other urinary stones. Researchers compared about 9,000 people newly diagnosed with BPS/IC to over 46,000 similar people without BPS/IC and found that those with BPS/IC were significantly more likely to have a history of urinary stones, particularly bladder stones.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) severity score based on case designation criteria.

Baraniuk, James N, Adewuyi, Oluwatoyin, Merck, Samantha Jean et al.·American journal of translational research·2013

This study created a scoring system to help doctors better identify and measure ME/CFS severity by combining eight common symptoms (fatigue, pain, cognitive problems, sleep issues, and post-exertion exhaustion). Researchers found that a total symptom score of 14 or higher, combined with moderate-to-severe fatigue, accurately distinguished ME/CFS patients from healthy people. This scoring system was highly consistent and may help match patients to specific disease subtypes.

Diagnostics

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Prognostic factors for recent-onset interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Treatment of 741 Italian patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Temporal organization of rest defined by actigraphy data in healthy and childhood chronic fatigue syndrome children.

A comparison of sex-specific immune signatures in Gulf War illness and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Multiscale analysis of heart rate variability in non-stationary environments.

Latent class analysis of comorbidity patterns among women with generalized and localized vulvodynia: preliminary findings.

The role of the therapeutic relationship in cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Migraine in gulf war illness and chronic fatigue syndrome: prevalence, potential mechanisms, and evaluation.

Lack of evidence for retroviral infections formerly related to chronic fatigue in Spanish fibromyalgia patients.

Chronic fatigue and personality: a twin study of causal pathways and shared liabilities.

In myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, increased autoimmune activity against 5-HT is associated with immuno-inflammatory pathways and bacterial translocation.

Examining the impact of obesity on individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Heart rate variability during sleep and subsequent sleepiness in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Human endogenous retrovirus-K18 superantigen expression and human herpesvirus-6 and human herpesvirus-7 viral loads in chronic fatigue patients.

Paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: complex presentations and protracted time to diagnosis.

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

HIV-associated fatigue in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: novel biological mechanisms?

The role of neuroticism, perfectionism and depression in chronic fatigue syndrome. A structural equation modeling approach.

Association of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis with urinary calculus: a nationwide population-based study.

A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) severity score based on case designation criteria.

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