Evidence browser

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Perfectionism, depression and anxiety in chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

Wright, Amelia, Fisher, Peter L, Baker, Nita et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This review looked at seven studies examining whether perfectionism (setting very high standards and worrying about mistakes) is connected to depression in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found strong links between perfectionism and depression, particularly worrying excessively about making mistakes. However, there's much less research on whether perfectionism is linked to anxiety in ME/CFS patients.

ME/CFS: Exercise goals should be set by patients and not driven by treatment plan, says NICE.

Torjesen, Ingrid·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2021

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued new guidance stating that people with ME/CFS should set their own exercise goals based on their personal circumstances, rather than having exercise targets imposed by healthcare providers as part of a standard treatment plan. This represents an important shift in how ME/CFS care should be approached, emphasizing patient autonomy and individual needs.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Human Herpesviruses Are Back!

Ariza, Maria Eugenia·Biomolecules·2021

This review examines whether certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may play a role in ME/CFS. Earlier research on this topic produced mixed results, leading some scientists to think viruses weren't involved. However, newer research methods have found that specific proteins made by EBV could contribute to immune system and nervous system problems in some ME/CFS patients.

BiomarkersImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Cognitive and emotional variables predicting treatment outcome of cognitive behavior therapies for patients with medically unexplained symptoms: A meta-analysis.

Sarter, Lena, Heider, Jens, Kirchner, Lukas et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This study looked at 37 research papers about cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy—for people with medically unexplained symptoms. The researchers found that people who worry a lot about their symptoms, have anxiety or mood problems, tend to notice body sensations intensely, or don't believe they can manage their illness tend to get less benefit from CBT. The findings suggest that tailoring CBT to each person's specific concerns might help treatments work better.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The Safety of Baduanjin Exercise: A Systematic Review.

Fang, Jianqi, Zhang, Liying, Wu, Fangzhen et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2021

Baduanjin is a gentle exercise therapy from traditional Chinese medicine that is becoming more popular around the world. This review looked at 47 studies involving 3,877 people to find out what side effects people experienced when doing Baduanjin. Most studies didn't carefully track side effects, but those that did reported issues like muscle aches, heart palpitations, dizziness, knee pain, and fatigue—though it's unclear if Baduanjin actually caused these problems.

The importance of child abuse and neglect in adult medicine.

Gordon, Jeoffry B·Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior·2021

This review looks at how childhood abuse and neglect can affect physical health in adults. The authors found that these traumatic experiences are linked to many chronic diseases, including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. They recommend that doctors routinely ask patients about their childhood experiences as part of standard medical care.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

Long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome: putative pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatments.

Yong, Shin Jie·Infectious diseases (London, England)·2021

This review examines what we know about Long COVID, an illness that affects some people after they recover from COVID-19 infection. The main symptoms are extreme tiredness and breathing difficulties that last for months, along with brain fog, pain, and heart problems. Researchers found that Long COVID may be caused by lasting damage to organs like the lungs and brain, combined with ongoing inflammation in the body.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long COVID a New Derivative in the Chaos of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Emergent Pandemic?

Fernández-Lázaro, Diego, Sánchez-Serrano, Nerea, Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Long COVID is a condition where symptoms persist for weeks to months after an acute COVID-19 infection. The main symptoms include severe fatigue, difficulty with physical activity that worsens symptoms, brain fog, and reduced ability to do daily activities. This review summarizes what is currently known about Long COVID, including its causes, risk factors, and possible treatments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive symptoms after COVID-19.

Altuna, M, Sánchez-Saudinós, Mª B, Lleó, A·Neurology perspectives·2021

COVID-19 can cause cognitive problems—such as difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering—that sometimes last for months after infection. These cognitive symptoms can happen even in people with mild COVID cases, which is unusual compared to other viral illnesses. This review found that cognitive problems after COVID share similarities with symptoms seen in ME/CFS and can significantly affect daily life and quality of life.

Cognitive Impairment

Redox imbalance links COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Paul, Bindu D, Lemle, Marian D, Komaroff, Anthony L et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2021

This review examines how COVID-19 and ME/CFS may share similar biological problems, particularly an imbalance in how the body handles harmful molecules called free radicals. Both conditions appear to involve problems with inflammation, energy production in cells, and a slowed metabolism. While this research shows these biological abnormalities exist in both illnesses, more studies are needed to understand exactly how they work together and how to treat them.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology.

Wong, Timothy L, Weitzer, Danielle J·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

Researchers reviewed 21 studies about Long COVID (symptoms lasting months after COVID-19 infection) and compared them to ME/CFS symptoms. They found that Long COVID patients reported 25 out of 29 known ME/CFS symptoms, suggesting these two conditions share many similarities. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment of patients with Long COVID, and calls for more standardized research methods to understand both conditions better.

Long COVID Overlap

Associations Between Psychological and Immunological Variables in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review.

Raanes, Emilie F W, Stiles, Tore C·Frontiers in psychiatry·2021

This review looked at 14 studies to understand how the mind and immune system are connected in ME/CFS. Researchers found that psychological factors like sleep quality, how people manage emotions, and how well they interact with others were linked to immune markers called cytokines. While these connections exist, the evidence is still limited and most studies were done at single points in time rather than following patients over years.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Coenzyme Q10: Clinical Applications beyond Cardiovascular Diseases.

Testai, Lara, Martelli, Alma, Flori, Lorenzo et al.·Nutrients·2021

This review examines how Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a natural substance found in cells that helps produce energy, might help with various conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. CoQ10 also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect cells from damage. The researchers looked at studies on CoQ10's effects on migraine, neurological diseases, cancer, and muscle disorders to see if supplementation could improve patient health and quality of life.

Energy Metabolism

The Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Current Evidence and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

Varesi, Angelica, Deumer, Undine-Sophie, Ananth, Sanjana et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Many people with ME/CFS experience stomach and digestive problems alongside their fatigue and pain. This review explores how the bacteria living in our gut might be different in ME/CFS patients and could be contributing to symptoms. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to have fewer types of gut bacteria compared to healthy people, and they discuss how treating the gut microbiome might help reduce ME/CFS symptoms overall.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Review: How has cognitive behaviour therapy been adapted for adolescents with comorbid depression and chronic illness? A scoping review.

Morey, Alice, Loades, Maria E·Child and adolescent mental health·2021

This review looked at how therapy called cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) has been modified to help teenagers with both depression and long-term illnesses like diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. The researchers found that CBT is often adapted by helping young people think differently about their illness, do activities they enjoy while managing their condition, and involving their family. However, there is still limited research showing how well these adapted treatments actually work for this group.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclear

Pathomechanisms and possible interventions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Fluge, Øystein, Tronstad, Karl J, Mella, Olav·The Journal of clinical investigation·2021

This review article examines what we know about how ME/CFS damages the body and discusses possible treatments. Researchers looked at existing scientific evidence to understand the disease mechanisms—the biological processes that cause ME/CFS symptoms—and evaluated various interventions that might help patients. The goal was to create a comprehensive overview of current scientific understanding to guide future research and treatment development.

BiomarkersImmune System