ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2421–2440 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Health-related quality of life in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and frequently associated comorbidities.

Suskind, Anne M, Berry, Sandra H, Suttorp, Marika J et al.·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2013

This study looked at how chronic conditions—including fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and irritable bowel syndrome—affect quality of life in women with bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Researchers surveyed 276 women and found that fibromyalgia and IBS were linked to significantly worse physical and mental health outcomes, while ME/CFS showed no significant association. The findings suggest that treating bladder pain syndrome effectively requires addressing other conditions a patient may have.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

No evidence of cross-species transmission of mouse retroviruses to animal workers exposed to mice.

Brooks, James, Lycett-Lambert, Karly, Caminiti, Kyna et al.·Transfusion·2012

Researchers tested 43 people who work closely with mice to see if they had been infected with mouse viruses (XMRV and MLV) that some scientists had previously linked to ME/CFS. Using blood tests and genetic analysis, they found no evidence that these viruses had jumped from mice to humans, even among workers with high exposure.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Increased ventricular lactate in chronic fatigue syndrome. III. Relationships to cortical glutathione and clinical symptoms implicate oxidative stress in disorder pathophysiology.

Shungu, Dikoma C, Weiduschat, Nora, Murrough, James W et al.·NMR in biomedicine·2012

This study used specialized brain imaging to look for differences in how the brains of people with ME/CFS work compared to healthy people and those with depression or anxiety. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had higher levels of lactate (a chemical produced when cells don't get enough oxygen) in their brain fluid and lower levels of a natural antioxidant that protects cells from damage. These findings suggest that oxidative stress—damage from harmful molecules—may be an important part of what causes ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein-Barr virus IgG antibody titers.

Watt, Tessa, Oberfoell, Stephanie, Balise, Raymond et al.·Journal of medical virology·2012

This study looked at whether a antiviral medication called valganciclovir could help ME/CFS patients who had high levels of antibodies to two common viruses: HHV-6 and EBV. Sixty-one patients took the medication for varying lengths of time, and about half reported at least 30% improvement in their physical energy and thinking abilities. Interestingly, the improvement didn't depend on how high their antibody levels were at the start—patients improved simply from taking the medication, and those who took it longer did better.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[How do patients interpret terms for medically unexplained symptoms?].

Kingma, Eva M, Moddejonge, Raquel S, Rosmalen, Judith G M·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·2012

This study asked 184 patients in Dutch waiting rooms how they felt about different medical terms used to describe unexplained tiredness. The researchers found that patients reacted most negatively to the term 'psychosomatic tiredness' (suggesting the tiredness is psychological), while they were more accepting of terms like 'chronic fatigue syndrome' and 'functional fatigue.' This suggests that patients prefer medical terms that don't imply their condition is 'all in their head.'

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Dyspnea in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): comparison of two prospective cross-sectional studies.

Ravindran, Murugan, Adewuyi, Oluwatoyin, Zheng, Yin et al.·Global journal of health science·2012

Many people with ME/CFS experience shortness of breath, but this study found that their lungs work normally—the problem isn't with how well air moves in and out. Instead, people with ME/CFS seem to be overly sensitive to physical sensations like rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and dizziness during exertion, which makes them feel breathless. This suggests the shortness of breath in ME/CFS comes from how the nervous system processes these sensations rather than from damaged lungs.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Co-morbid pain conditions and feelings of invalidation and isolation among women with vulvodynia.

Nguyen, Ruby H N, Ecklund, Ali M, Maclehose, Richard F et al.·Psychology, health & medicine·2012

This study looked at women with vulvodynia (chronic pain in the vulva) who also had other chronic pain conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or endometriosis. The researchers found that women with multiple pain conditions were more likely to feel that others didn't believe their pain was real and to feel socially isolated. Having ME/CFS alongside vulvodynia was particularly linked to these feelings.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

No evidence of XMRV infection in immunocompromised patients and HIV-positive individuals from Germany.

Korn, K, Reil, H, Ensser, A et al.·Infection·2012

Researchers tested blood samples from 542 people in Germany—including those with weakened immune systems and people living with HIV—to see if they carried a virus called XMRV that had been suggested as a possible cause of ME/CFS. None of the 814 blood samples tested positive for XMRV, suggesting this virus is not present in these high-risk groups in Germany.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A prospective genetic marker of the visual-perception disorder Meares-Irlen syndrome.

Loew, Stephen J, Watson, Kenneth·Perceptual and motor skills·2012

This study looked at whether a specific gene called APOB might be linked to Meares-Irlen syndrome, a condition that affects how the eyes process visual information and can make reading difficult. The researchers found that certain variations of this gene were more common in people with Meares-Irlen syndrome than in people without it. This is interesting because the same gene has been connected to problems with fat and cholesterol metabolism, which have also been found in ME/CFS and other conditions.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Neurohumoral and haemodynamic profile in postural tachycardia and chronic fatigue syndromes.

Okamoto, Luis E, Raj, Satish R, Peltier, Amanda et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·2012

This study looked at patients with POTS (a condition where heart rate increases too much when standing) to see how many also have ME/CFS and whether they are different from POTS patients without ME/CFS. The researchers found that most POTS patients experience severe fatigue, and about two-thirds also meet ME/CFS criteria. Those with both conditions had stronger heart rate increases when standing and signs of greater stress hormone activity.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Patterns of food avoidance in chronic fatigue syndrome: is there a case for dietary recommendations?

Trabal, J, Leyes, P, Fernández-Solá, J et al.·Nutricion hospitalaria·2012

This study looked at what foods people with severe ME/CFS avoid eating and why. Researchers found that many patients restrict dairy and gluten, but digestive symptoms didn't actually improve when they avoided these foods. The study suggests that some dietary restrictions may be based on advice rather than actual food problems, and recommends that dietary changes should only be made when there's a proven allergy or intolerance.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Impaired cardiac function in chronic fatigue syndrome measured using magnetic resonance cardiac tagging.

Hollingsworth, K G, Hodgson, T, Macgowan, G A et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2012

This study used advanced heart imaging (MRI) to look at how the hearts of people with ME/CFS work compared to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had smaller hearts with less blood volume, weaker pumping strength, and abnormal twisting and relaxation patterns. These heart changes may help explain why ME/CFS patients experience such severe fatigue and exercise intolerance.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly US adults.

Chang, Cindy M, Warren, Joan L, Engels, Eric A·Cancer·2012

Researchers investigated whether people with ME/CFS have a higher risk of developing cancer. Using medical records from over 1.2 million elderly Americans, they found that people with ME/CFS had a slightly increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a blood cancer), particularly certain subtypes. The study does not prove that ME/CFS causes cancer, but suggests that shared immune system problems or infections might explain the connection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Telephone-based guided self-help for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: A non-randomised cohort study.

Lloyd, Samantha, Chalder, Trudie, Sallis, Hannah M et al.·Behaviour research and therapy·2012

This study tested whether teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome could benefit from a short telephone-based self-help program based on cognitive-behavioural therapy principles. Sixty-three adolescents received six sessions over three months, with follow-up support. Six months after treatment, participants reported significantly less fatigue and attended school more often, suggesting this simple intervention may help some young people with CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Prevalence of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus infection in different risk populations in Spain.

Arredondo, Miguel, Hackett, John, de Bethencourt, Fermín R et al.·AIDS research and human retroviruses·2012

Researchers tested blood samples from over 1,100 people in Spain, including those with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, to look for a virus called XMRV that had been suggested as a possible cause of these conditions. They found no reliable evidence that XMRV was present in any of the groups they studied, including people with ME/CFS, cancer, other viral infections, or healthy blood donors.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Antinuclear antibody detection by automated multiplex immunoassay in untreated patients at the time of diagnosis.

Op De Beéck, Katrijn, Vermeersch, Pieter, Verschueren, Patrick et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2012

This study compared two different blood tests for detecting autoantibodies (proteins the immune system makes that attack the body's own cells) in patients with various autoimmune diseases and in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that one newer automated test missed some antibodies that an older, more traditional test detected, and that having multiple antibodies together was much more common in autoimmune disease patients than in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Absence of XMRV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ARV-treatment naïve HIV-1 infected and HIV-1/HCV coinfected individuals and blood donors.

Gingaras, Cosmina, Danielson, Bryan P, Vigil, Karen J et al.·PloS one·2012

Researchers tested blood samples from HIV-infected patients, people with both HIV and hepatitis C, and healthy blood donors to see if they carried a virus called XMRV. XMRV had been reported in some ME/CFS patients, so scientists wanted to check if it was more common in people with weakened immune systems. They found virtually no XMRV in any of the blood samples tested, suggesting this virus is not present in these groups.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Are fatigue symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome following Q fever infection related to psychosocial variables?

Strauss, Bernhard, Löschau, Maria, Seidel, Thomas et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2012

This study looked at fatigue in people who had been infected with Q fever (a bacterial infection) compared to people who hadn't had it. Researchers found that Q fever survivors reported much more fatigue than the control group, but very few met the strict criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). People with Q fever who had fatigue also reported more health worries, physical symptoms, and emotional stress than those without fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lyme disease in a British referral clinic.

Cottle, L E, Mekonnen, E, Beadsworth, M B J et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2012

This UK study looked at 115 patients who were referred to a specialist clinic because doctors suspected they had Lyme disease. The researchers found that only 23% actually had Lyme disease, while about one-third had ME/CFS instead. Importantly, some ME/CFS patients had been incorrectly told they had Lyme disease by non-specialist doctors, leading them to take unnecessary antibiotics.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children.

Itoh, Yasuhiko, Shigemori, Tomoko, Igarashi, Tohru et al.·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·2012

This study looked at two conditions that cause long-term pain and exhaustion in children: fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers tested blood samples from children with each condition to see if they had similar immune system patterns. They found that while these conditions share some symptoms, they appear to have different immune system signatures, suggesting they may be separate diseases—though some children can have both.

Immune System

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Health-related quality of life in patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and frequently associated comorbidities.

No evidence of cross-species transmission of mouse retroviruses to animal workers exposed to mice.

Increased ventricular lactate in chronic fatigue syndrome. III. Relationships to cortical glutathione and clinical symptoms implicate oxidative stress in disorder pathophysiology.

Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein-Barr virus IgG antibody titers.

[How do patients interpret terms for medically unexplained symptoms?].

Dyspnea in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): comparison of two prospective cross-sectional studies.

Co-morbid pain conditions and feelings of invalidation and isolation among women with vulvodynia.

No evidence of XMRV infection in immunocompromised patients and HIV-positive individuals from Germany.

A prospective genetic marker of the visual-perception disorder Meares-Irlen syndrome.

Neurohumoral and haemodynamic profile in postural tachycardia and chronic fatigue syndromes.

Patterns of food avoidance in chronic fatigue syndrome: is there a case for dietary recommendations?

Impaired cardiac function in chronic fatigue syndrome measured using magnetic resonance cardiac tagging.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly US adults.

Telephone-based guided self-help for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: A non-randomised cohort study.

Prevalence of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus infection in different risk populations in Spain.

Antinuclear antibody detection by automated multiplex immunoassay in untreated patients at the time of diagnosis.

Absence of XMRV in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ARV-treatment naïve HIV-1 infected and HIV-1/HCV coinfected individuals and blood donors.

Are fatigue symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome following Q fever infection related to psychosocial variables?

Lyme disease in a British referral clinic.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children.

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