ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2581–2600 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The effect of exercise cessation on non-articular tenderness measures and quality of life in well-trained athletes.

Zeller, Lior, Abu-Shakra, Mahmoud, Weitzman, Dahlia et al.·The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ·2011

This study looked at what happens to healthy athletes when they stop exercising for just one week. Researchers found that after 7 days without exercise, athletes developed increased body tenderness (similar to fibromyalgia pain) and reported lower quality of life. The findings suggest that lack of exercise might trigger symptoms similar to those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The retrovirus XMRV is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy.

Waugh, Elspeth M, Jarrett, Ruth F, Shield, Lesley et al.·Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology·2011

Researchers tested whether a virus called XMRV, which had been found in some ME/CFS patients, might cause blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. They checked blood samples from 368 patients with these cancers and 507 control samples using three different sensitive tests. The virus was not found in any cancer patient samples, suggesting XMRV is not a major cause of these blood cancers.

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 unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles.

Knudsen, Ann Kristen, Omenås, Anne Nagelgaard, Harvey, Samuel B et al.·JRSM short reports·2011

Researchers analyzed Norwegian newspaper articles about ME/CFS published between 2008-2009 to see how they described treatments. They found that newspapers were much more likely to write positively about alternative treatments (like the Lightning Process) and negatively about evidence-based treatments (like cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise) than the scientific evidence supports. This matters because many people get health information from newspapers, so unbalanced reporting could influence patient choices.

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 unclearCross-Sectional

An Italian study on health-related quality of life and fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and patients with chronic HCV virus infection: similarities and differences.

Racciatti, Delia, Gorgoretti, V, Sepede, G et al.·International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology·2011

This Italian study compared fatigue and quality of life in 39 ME/CFS patients versus 49 people with chronic hepatitis C. Using standard questionnaires, researchers found that ME/CFS patients experienced significantly more severe fatigue and lower quality of life than hepatitis C patients. The study concludes that managing fatigue should be a priority for ME/CFS patients to help improve their overall well-being.

E2 ModerateTrialPEM requiredObservational

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Øystein Fluge, Olav Mella, Ove Bruland et al.·PLoS ONE·2011·n=30

In this pilot RCT, 30 ME/CFS patients received rituximab (a B-cell depleting antibody used in cancer and autoimmune disease) or placebo. Two-thirds of the rituximab group showed clinical improvement, with delayed response patterns consistent with autoimmune disease mechanisms. The placebo group had minimal response.

InterventionsImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Distinct cerebrospinal fluid proteomes differentiate post-treatment lyme disease from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Schutzer, Steven E, Angel, Thomas E, Liu, Tao et al.·PloS one·2011

This study examined spinal fluid from people with post-treatment Lyme disease and ME/CFS to see if these two conditions are different. Using advanced laboratory techniques, researchers found that each condition has a unique pattern of proteins in the spinal fluid, meaning they appear to be distinct diseases rather than the same illness. This discovery could eventually help doctors tell these conditions apart and develop better treatments for each.

Neuroinflammation

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The functional status and well being of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and their carers.

Nacul, Luis C, Lacerda, Eliana M, Campion, Peter et al.·BMC public health·2011

This study measured how ME/CFS affects daily life and well-being in 170 patients and 44 family caregivers. Using a standard health questionnaire, researchers found that ME/CFS causes severe disability—worse than many other chronic illnesses like cancer—affecting both physical abilities and mental health. The emotional burden also significantly impacts the family members and caregivers who support people with ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

No evidence of XMRV in prostate cancer cohorts in the Midwestern United States.

Sakuma, Toshie, Hué, Stéphane, Squillace, Karen A et al.·Retrovirology·2011

Researchers tested prostate tissue and blood samples from men with and without prostate cancer to see if a virus called XMRV was present. They found a few samples that tested positive, but further investigation showed these were likely contaminated with mouse DNA from the laboratory rather than real virus. The study found no strong evidence that XMRV is actually infecting people's prostate tissue or blood.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Mitochondrial enzymes discriminate between mitochondrial disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Smits, Bart, van den Heuvel, Lambert, Knoop, Hans et al.·Mitochondrion·2011

This study looked at whether measurements of mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells) can help distinguish ME/CFS from true mitochondrial diseases. The researchers found that while people with ME/CFS have fewer mitochondria overall, the mitochondria that are present work normally. In contrast, people with actual mitochondrial disorders have mitochondria that don't function well, even when mitochondrial numbers are considered.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Convergent genomic studies identify association of GRIK2 and NPAS2 with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Smith, Alicia K, Fang, Hong, Whistler, Toni et al.·Neuropsychobiology·2011

Researchers used a novel genetic screening approach to search for genes that might be involved in ME/CFS by comparing DNA variants and gene activity between people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They identified two genes—GRIK2 and NPAS2—that showed both genetic differences and altered activity levels in people with ME/CFS. GRIK2 is involved in communication between nerve cells, while NPAS2 controls the body's internal clock, suggesting these biological systems may play a role in the condition.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[The role of depression in cognitive impairment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Santamarina-Pérez, Pilar, Freniche, Verónica, Eiroa-Orosa, Francisco Jose et al.·Medicina clinica·2011

This study tested whether depression explains the thinking and memory problems that people with ME/CFS experience. Researchers gave 57 women with ME/CFS a variety of cognitive tests measuring attention, memory, and processing speed, then compared results between those with and without depression. The findings showed that cognitive problems were present in ME/CFS patients regardless of whether they had depression, suggesting that the brain fog and thinking difficulties are part of ME/CFS itself, not caused by depression.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression and disordered sleep in chronic post-SARS syndrome; a case-controlled study.

Moldofsky, Harvey, Patcai, John·BMC neurology·2011

This study looked at people who had severe SARS infection and were unable to return to work for over a year afterward. These patients experienced long-lasting fatigue, widespread muscle pain, weakness, depression, and poor sleep quality. Researchers found that their sleep patterns and symptoms were very similar to those seen in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Meeus, Mira, van Eupen, Inge, van Baarle, Ellen et al.·Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2011

This study tracked physical activity and daily symptoms in 67 women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women who were not very active. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients were generally less active overall, but surprisingly, on days when patients were more active, they experienced more symptoms and greater symptom fluctuations the same day and the next day. Conversely, patients had fewer symptom changes on days when they stayed more sedentary and spread their limited activity throughout the day.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 not requiredObservational

Serological and virological investigation of the role of the herpesviruses EBV, CMV and HHV-6 in post-infective fatigue syndrome.

Cameron, Barbara, Flamand, Louis, Juwana, Hedy et al.·Journal of medical virology·2010

Researchers tested blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see whether three common herpesviruses (EBV, CMV, and HHV-6) were actively reactivating or causing ongoing infection. They found no evidence that these viruses were actively infected or reactivating in ME/CFS patients compared to controls who recovered normally from infection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Latent class analysis of functional somatic symptoms in a population-based sample of twins.

Kato, Kenji, Sullivan, Patrick F, Pedersen, Nancy L·Journal of psychosomatic research·2010

This study looked at how people with chronic fatigue and multiple physical symptoms cluster into different groups. Researchers studied over 28,000 twins and found five distinct groups: those with no symptoms, those mainly tired, those with stomach problems, those with pain, and those with many symptoms across all areas. The study suggests that while genes play a small role, environmental factors (like stress, infections, or lifestyle) are much more important in determining who develops these symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Plasma cytokine profiles in females with irritable bowel syndrome and extra-intestinal co-morbidity.

Scully, Paul, McKernan, Declan P, Keohane, John et al.·The American journal of gastroenterology·2010

This study looked at inflammation markers in the blood of women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particularly those who also had fibromyalgia, premenstrual symptoms, or chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers found that women with IBS plus these extra conditions had higher levels of four inflammation-related substances (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNFα) compared to healthy women, while those with IBS alone had elevated levels of two of these markers.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Detection of MLV-related virus gene sequences in blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy blood donors.

Lo, Shyh-Ching, Pripuzova, Natalia, Li, Bingjie et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2010

This study looked for traces of a virus called MLV (murine leukemia virus-related virus) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and healthy people. Researchers found viral genetic material in 86.5% of CFS patients compared to only 6.8% of healthy controls. The viruses found were diverse rather than identical, and some patients who tested positive years earlier still showed the virus in follow-up testing.

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The effect of exercise cessation on non-articular tenderness measures and quality of life in well-trained athletes.

The retrovirus XMRV is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of common types of lymphoid malignancy.

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

Chronic fatigue syndrome in the media: a content analysis of newspaper articles.

Cumulative life stress in chronic fatigue syndrome.

An Italian study on health-related quality of life and fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and patients with chronic HCV virus infection: similarities and differences.

Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Distinct cerebrospinal fluid proteomes differentiate post-treatment lyme disease from chronic fatigue syndrome.

The functional status and well being of people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and their carers.

No evidence of XMRV in prostate cancer cohorts in the Midwestern United States.

Mitochondrial enzymes discriminate between mitochondrial disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Convergent genomic studies identify association of GRIK2 and NPAS2 with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[The role of depression in cognitive impairment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression and disordered sleep in chronic post-SARS syndrome; a case-controlled study.

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

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

Serological and virological investigation of the role of the herpesviruses EBV, CMV and HHV-6 in post-infective fatigue syndrome.

Latent class analysis of functional somatic symptoms in a population-based sample of twins.

Plasma cytokine profiles in females with irritable bowel syndrome and extra-intestinal co-morbidity.

Detection of MLV-related virus gene sequences in blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy blood donors.

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