ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2541–2560 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: study of a consecutive series of 824 cases assessed in two specialized units].

Ruiz, E, Alegre, J, García Quintana, A M et al.·Revista clinica espanola·2011

This study looked at 824 people with ME/CFS (91% women, average age 48) seen at two specialized clinics between 2008 and 2010. The researchers found that most people had severe fatigue that worsened with activity, sleep problems, and memory/concentration difficulties. Many also had anxiety, dry eyes (sicca syndrome), and fibromyalgia. On average, it took over 9 years for people to get a diagnosis after their symptoms started.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Up-regulation of TGF-β1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zhang, Hai-Ying, Liu, Zhan-Dong, Hu, Chao-Jun et al.·Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi·2011

Researchers measured levels of a immune signaling molecule called TGF-β1 in blood cells from ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people and patients with other illnesses. They found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of TGF-β1 than both groups, suggesting this molecule may play a role in ME/CFS disease development.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cumulative life stress in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nater, Urs M, Maloney, Elizabeth, Heim, Christine et al.·Psychiatry research·2011

This study looked at whether stressful life events are more common in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had experienced more stressors and reported higher levels of psychological distress, and were more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder. This suggests that life stress may play a role in ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus is not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome in patients from different areas of the us in the 1990s.

Ali, Mir A, Dale, Janet K, Kozak, Christine A et al.·Virology journal·2011

A 2009 study claimed to find a virus called XMRV in most ME/CFS patients, raising hopes for a viral cause. This 2011 study looked for the same virus in ME/CFS patients from similar U.S. regions but found no clear evidence it was present or unique to ME/CFS patients. The small DNA signals they detected appeared to be contamination from mouse DNA rather than actual virus infection.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Detection of antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and by solid phase assay.

Op De Beeck, Katrijn, Vermeersch, Pieter, Verschueren, Patrick et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2011

This study compared two different blood tests for detecting antinuclear antibodies (proteins the immune system sometimes makes against the body's own cells). Researchers tested these methods in people with autoimmune diseases, healthy people, ME/CFS patients, and other disease controls. The newer solid phase test was better at correctly identifying people with certain autoimmune diseases, though both tests rarely showed false positives in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in chronic fatigue syndrome as assessed by arterial spin labeling.

Biswal, Bharat, Kunwar, Pratap, Natelson, Benjamin H·Journal of the neurological sciences·2011

Researchers used a brain imaging technique called arterial spin labeling to measure blood flow in the brains of 11 ME/CFS patients and 10 healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients as a group had significantly lower blood flow to their brains compared to healthy controls, though this pattern wasn't universal—some patients showed normal or even slightly increased blood flow. This suggests that reduced brain blood flow may be one physical feature of ME/CFS, though it doesn't affect all patients in the same way.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Excess of activating killer cell immunoglobulin‑like receptors and lack of HLA-Bw4 ligands: a two‑edged weapon in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pasi, Annamaria, Bozzini, Sara, Carlo-Stella, Nicoletta et al.·Molecular medicine reports·2011

This study examined immune system genes called KIRs and their matching partners (HLA molecules) in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had an unusual pattern of these immune genes—specifically, more of a type called KIR3DS1 and fewer matching HLA partners for their receptors to recognize. The researchers suggest this mismatch might make it harder for the immune system to fight off infections, potentially allowing chronic infections to persist.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Absence of XMRV retrovirus and other murine leukemia virus-related viruses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Shin, Clifford H, Bateman, Lucinda, Schlaberg, Robert et al.·Journal of virology·2011

This study investigated whether a virus called XMRV or related viruses might cause ME/CFS by testing blood samples from 100 ME/CFS patients and 200 healthy volunteers. The researchers used multiple methods to look for the virus itself, genetic material, and antibodies to the virus. They found no evidence of these viruses in any of the patient samples, suggesting they are not responsible for ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Long-term sickness absence among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Knudsen, Ann Kristin, Henderson, Max, Harvey, Samuel B et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2011

This study looked at ME/CFS patients who were on long-term sick leave from work and compared them to those still working. Patients taking sick leave had more severe physical fatigue and sleep problems than other patients. Interestingly, those on sick leave also tended to avoid situations they found embarrassing and rested more often as a coping strategy. The researchers suggest that helping patients manage embarrassment-related thoughts and avoidance behaviors might help them return to work.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lack of infection with XMRV or other MLV-related viruses in blood, post-mortem brains and paternal gametes of autistic individuals.

Lintas, Carla, Guidi, Francesco, Manzi, Barbara et al.·PloS one·2011

Researchers wanted to know if a virus called XMRV or related viruses might cause autism. They tested blood, brain tissue, and semen samples from people with autism, their fathers, and control groups. They found no evidence that XMRV or similar viruses were present in autism patients, suggesting these viruses are unlikely to play a role in causing autism.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Webb, Carly M, Collin, Simon M, Deave, Toity et al.·BMC health services research·2011

Children with ME/CFS are waiting much longer than recommended to see a specialist—the typical wait is 18 months, while guidelines suggest assessment should happen within 3-6 months. This study found that many GPs and other doctors don't know enough about ME/CFS or how to refer children properly, and some had negative attitudes toward the condition. Parents also found it hard to explain an 'invisible' illness to healthcare providers, which delayed their children from getting the specialist care they needed.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

Puri, B K, Gunatilake, K D R, Fernando, K A C et al.·The Journal of international medical research·2011

Researchers examined the chests of 42 people with ME/CFS and 20 healthy people to look for physical signs. They found that 81% of people with ME/CFS had tenderness (pain when touched) in a specific area on the left side of their rib cage, while none of the healthy people had this tenderness. This suggests there may be a consistent physical finding that doctors could potentially use to help identify ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Patient-reported outcomes as a source of evidence in off-label prescribing: analysis of data from PatientsLikeMe.

Frost, Jeana, Okun, Sally, Vaughan, Timothy et al.·Journal of medical Internet research·2011

This study looked at how patients can help doctors understand whether existing medicines work for conditions they weren't originally designed to treat. Researchers analyzed information from an online patient community where people with conditions like ME/CFS shared their experiences with two medicines: amitriptyline and modafinil. The study found that most patients were using these drugs for purposes other than what they were officially approved for, and many reported the drugs helped them.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The search for pain relief in people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a descriptive study.

Marshall, Rebecca, Paul, Lorna, Wood, Les·Physiotherapy theory and practice·2011

This study asked 50 people with ME/CFS who experience pain about treatments they had tried to help manage their symptoms. Researchers found that many patients tried complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and physiotherapy, with acupuncture being the treatment most people reported as helpful for pain relief. The study suggests some of these treatments may help people cope with ME/CFS pain, though more research is needed to confirm how well they actually work.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

An unbiased metagenomic search for infectious agents using monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue.

Sullivan, Patrick F, Allander, Tobias, Lysholm, Fredrik et al.·BMC microbiology·2011

Researchers used advanced genetic sequencing to search for viruses in the blood of 45 people with chronic fatigue syndrome, comparing each patient to their identical twin who did not have the illness. They found that a virus called GB virus C appeared in a few patients but not in their healthy twins, suggesting it might be linked to ME/CFS. However, the overall results did not strongly support the idea that a single detectable virus causes chronic fatigue.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Lombardi, Vincent C, Hagen, Kathryn S, Hunter, Kenneth W et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2011

This 2011 study looked for a specific virus (XMRV) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and measured immune system chemicals called cytokines and chemokines. Researchers found a distinctive pattern of 10 immune chemicals that could identify XMRV-positive patients with very high accuracy (93-96%), suggesting that this virus may trigger a particular type of immune response in some people with ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Potential involvement of altered carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I activity.

Reuter, S E, Evans, A M·Journal of internal medicine·2011

This study found that people with ME/CFS have lower levels of certain fat-like molecules called acylcarnitines in their blood compared to healthy people. These molecules are important for cells to produce energy from fat. The researchers suggest this difference might be related to how the body processes fatty acids, and they propose that taking omega-3 fatty acids along with carnitine supplements might help improve symptoms.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Small heart with low cardiac output for orthostatic intolerance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Miwa, Kunihisa, Fujita, Masatoshi·Clinical cardiology·2011

This study found that ME/CFS patients who experience dizziness or fainting when standing up (orthostatic intolerance) have smaller hearts and pump less blood with each beat compared to ME/CFS patients without these symptoms and healthy people. The researchers used ultrasound imaging to measure heart size and function in different groups and discovered that about half of ME/CFS patients with orthostatic intolerance had unusually small left heart chambers.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Numbers and types of nonbladder syndromes as risk factors for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Warren, John W, Wesselmann, Ursula, Morozov, Vadim et al.·Urology·2011

This study looked at whether having multiple conditions alongside bladder pain (like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and allergies) increases the risk of developing interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Researchers found that people who had more of these accompanying conditions before developing IC/PBS were at higher risk, and that these conditions often appeared before the bladder symptoms started. The specific types of conditions varied, but their number seemed to matter most.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising chronic fatigue syndrome.

Davenport, Todd E, Stevens, Staci R, Baroni, Katie et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2011

This study looked at which symptoms best identify people with ME/CFS by comparing 16 patients with the condition to 14 healthy controls. The researchers found that failure to recover within one day after intense exercise was the strongest single indicator of ME/CFS, and combining three symptoms—immune problems, sleep disturbance, and pain—could accurately identify most patients. The findings suggest that fewer symptoms may be needed to diagnose ME/CFS than current guidelines require.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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[Chronic fatigue syndrome: study of a consecutive series of 824 cases assessed in two specialized units].

Up-regulation of TGF-β1 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cumulative life stress in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus is not associated with chronic fatigue syndrome in patients from different areas of the us in the 1990s.

Detection of antinuclear antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence and by solid phase assay.

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in chronic fatigue syndrome as assessed by arterial spin labeling.

Excess of activating killer cell immunoglobulin‑like receptors and lack of HLA-Bw4 ligands: a two‑edged weapon in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Absence of XMRV retrovirus and other murine leukemia virus-related viruses in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Long-term sickness absence among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lack of infection with XMRV or other MLV-related viruses in blood, post-mortem brains and paternal gametes of autistic individuals.

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

Patient-reported outcomes as a source of evidence in off-label prescribing: analysis of data from PatientsLikeMe.

The search for pain relief in people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a descriptive study.

An unbiased metagenomic search for infectious agents using monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Long-chain acylcarnitine deficiency in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Potential involvement of altered carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I activity.

Small heart with low cardiac output for orthostatic intolerance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Numbers and types of nonbladder syndromes as risk factors for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome.

Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising chronic fatigue syndrome.

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