ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

261–280 of 1,185 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Inflammation-type dysbiosis of the oral microbiome associates with the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and long COVID.

Haran, John P, Bradley, Evan, Zeamer, Abigail L et al.·JCI insight·2021

This study looked at bacteria in the mouth of people with COVID-19 to understand why some people develop long COVID. Researchers found that people with long COVID had higher levels of inflammation-causing bacteria, particularly types called Prevotella and Veillonella. Interestingly, the oral bacteria patterns in long COVID patients resembled those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome patients, suggesting the microbiome may play a role in prolonged illness.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Baklund, Ingrid H, Dammen, Toril, Moum, Torbjørn Åge et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Researchers compared blood test results from 149 ME/CFS patients with 264 healthy people to look for differences. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of inflammation markers and certain blood cells, along with lower potassium and muscle enzyme levels. These differences suggest that ME/CFS may involve both inflammation and possible muscle or metabolic problems.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

How peptic ulcer disease could potentially lead to the lifelong, debilitating effects of chronic fatigue syndrome: an insight.

Kuo, Chien-Feng, Shi, Leiyu, Lin, Cheng-Li et al.·Scientific reports·2021

This study looked at whether people who have had peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers often caused by H. pylori bacteria) are at higher risk of developing ME/CFS. Researchers compared hospital records from Taiwan for people with and without peptic ulcers over many years. They found that people with a history of peptic ulcers were about twice as likely to develop ME/CFS, with higher risk in women and older adults.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The antinuclear antibody dense fine speckled pattern and possible clinical associations: An indication of a proinflammatory microenvironment.

Lundgren, Mia C, Sapkota, Smarika, Peterson, Daniel J et al.·Journal of immunological methods·2021

This study looked at 425 patients who tested positive for a specific antibody pattern called ANA-DFS on a common autoimmune screening test. The researchers wanted to understand what conditions this pattern is associated with. They found that while some patients had known autoimmune diseases, many others had chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, skin problems, or allergic conditions, suggesting this antibody pattern may indicate a generally inflamed immune system rather than one specific disease.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sato, Wakiro, Ono, Hirohiko, Matsutani, Takaji et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2021

This study looked at immune cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients have an unusual pattern of B cells—certain types are overrepresented while others are underrepresented. These abnormal B cell patterns were especially strong in patients whose ME/CFS started after an infection, suggesting the immune system may be stuck responding to something from that earlier infection.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Delineating the Association Between Soluble CD26 and Autoantibodies Against G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Immunological and Cardiovascular Parameters Identifies Distinct Patterns in Post-Infectious vs. Non-Infection-Triggered Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Szklarski, Marvin, Freitag, Helma, Lorenz, Sebastian et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study looked at a protein called sCD26 in people with ME/CFS to understand how it relates to immune system problems and heart function issues. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS triggered by an infection had different patterns of immune problems linked to low sCD26 levels compared to people whose ME/CFS started without an infection. The findings suggest that infection-related and non-infection-related ME/CFS may involve different biological mechanisms.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms.

Nkiliza, Aurore, Parks, Megan, Cseresznye, Adam et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study analyzed fatty substances in the blood of ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see if they differ in ways that might explain symptoms. Researchers found that men and women with ME/CFS had different patterns of these blood fats compared to healthy people. Importantly, certain blood fats were connected to the severity of fatigue, headaches, and thinking difficulties, suggesting that problems with how the body processes fats may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Energy MetabolismBiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Co-occurrence of immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis among adolescents and adult women.

Shafrir, Amy L, Palmor, Marissa C, Fourquet, Jessica et al.·American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)·2021

This study looked at whether young women and adolescents with endometriosis (a painful condition where tissue grows outside the uterus) are more likely to have immune system problems like allergies, asthma, or chronic fatigue. Researchers compared 551 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis to 652 women without it and found that those with endometriosis were significantly more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or a history of mononucleosis. The more immune-related conditions a woman had, the higher her chances of also having endometriosis.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Evaluation of Immune Dysregulation in an Austrian Patient Cohort Suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lutz, Lena, Rohrhofer, Johanna, Zehetmayer, Sonja et al.·Biomolecules·2021

This study looked at blood test results from 262 ME/CFS patients to understand problems with their immune systems. Researchers found that nearly two-thirds of patients had low levels of certain immune proteins or cells, while about one-quarter showed signs of inflammation. These findings suggest that immune system dysfunction is a common feature of ME/CFS and could potentially be used to help diagnose or treat the condition.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Complement Component C1q as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Subtyping.

Castro-Marrero, Jesús, Zacares, Mario, Almenar-Pérez, Eloy et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Researchers analyzed blood samples from 250 women with ME/CFS to see if specific blood markers could help identify different types of the disease. They found that about 43% of participants had high levels of a protein called C1q, which was particularly associated with those experiencing more pain symptoms. This discovery suggests that blood tests might one day help doctors identify which ME/CFS patients belong to which subgroup, potentially leading to better tailored treatments.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lowered serum cesium levels in schizophrenia: association with immune-inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive impairments.

Almulla, Abbas F, Moustafa, Shatha R, Al-Dujaili, Arafat H et al.·Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)·2021

This study looked at a mineral called cesium in the blood of people with schizophrenia and compared it to healthy people. They found that people with schizophrenia had lower cesium levels, and this was connected to cognitive problems (like memory and thinking difficulties), fatigue symptoms, and signs of immune system activity. The researchers suggest that low cesium might contribute to some of the symptoms seen in schizophrenia.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lee, Ji-Sook, Lacerda, Eliana M, Nacul, Luis et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study tested saliva samples from people with ME/CFS and healthy people to measure levels of common viruses that stay dormant in the body. Researchers found that two viruses (HHV-6B and HHV-7) were present at higher levels in people with ME/CFS, especially in those whose viral levels went up and down over time. Importantly, when these viral levels were higher, patients reported worse symptoms like pain, brain fog, and heart/blood pressure problems.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia-like symptoms are an integral component of the phenome of schizophrenia: neuro-immune and opioid system correlates.

Mousa, Rana Fadhil, Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Alhaideri, Amer et al.·Metabolic brain disease·2021

This study examined whether chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia-like symptoms occur together in people with schizophrenia, and looked for biological markers associated with these symptoms. Researchers measured immune markers and opioid system proteins in 115 schizophrenia patients and 43 healthy controls. They observed that certain immune molecules and opioid receptor changes were associated with higher fatigue and pain scores, though it remains unclear whether these associations represent direct biological drivers or secondary effects of schizophrenia itself.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical Heterogeneity in ME/CFS. A Way to Understand Long-COVID19 Fatigue.

Murga, Iñigo, Aranburu, Larraitz, Gargiulo, Pascual A et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2021

This study examined 84 ME/CFS patients and 22 healthy controls using questionnaires to measure fatigue, pain, sleep quality, heart rate problems, thinking difficulties, mood, and other symptoms. Researchers used statistical clustering to group patients into five distinct subtypes based on their symptom patterns. The findings suggest that ME/CFS is not one-size-fits-all—some patients have high anxiety and depression without fibromyalgia, while others have fibromyalgia combined with heart rate regulation problems, hormone imbalances, or immune issues.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Tryptophan Metabolites, Cytokines, and Fatty Acid Binding Protein 2 in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Simonato, Manuela, Dall'Acqua, Stefano, Zilli, Caterina et al.·Biomedicines·2021

This study compared blood samples from 40 people with ME/CFS to 40 healthy people to look for biological differences. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had different levels of certain molecules related to immune function, gut health, and how the body uses the amino acid tryptophan. These differences were independent of each other, suggesting multiple biological pathways may be disrupted in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Bynke, Annie, Julin, Per, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

Researchers tested blood and spinal fluid samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for certain antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack nerve receptors in the body. They found higher levels of some of these antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly antibodies targeting muscarinic receptors (involved in nerve signaling). However, the amount of these antibodies did not match how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Sarría, Leonor, Nathanson, Lubov et al.·Scientific reports·2020

This study looked for biological markers (tiny genetic molecules called microRNAs) in blood samples from severely ill ME/CFS patients that could help doctors diagnose the disease. Researchers found that certain microRNAs and physical characteristics of particles in the blood appeared different in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. If validated in larger studies, these findings could eventually lead to a simple blood test for diagnosis.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Patients with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and chronic pain report similar level of sickness behavior as individuals injected with bacterial endotoxin at peak inflammation.

Jonsjö, Martin A, Åström, Jenny, Jones, Michael P et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study compared how 'sick' people with ME/CFS and chronic pain feel compared to other groups. Researchers found that ME/CFS and chronic pain patients reported feeling as sick as healthy people who were given a bacterial toxin to trigger temporary inflammation. These high levels of sickness feelings were similar across both conditions and higher than what primary care patients reported, suggesting that the persistent sickness sensation in ME/CFS and chronic pain may involve similar biological mechanisms related to inflammation and how the brain processes illness signals.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

MCP-1 is increased in patients with CFS and FM, whilst several other immune markers are significantly lower than healthy controls.

Groven, Nina, Fors, Egil Andreas, Stunes, Astrid Kamilla et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study looked at immune system markers in the blood of people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. Researchers found that one immune marker called MCP-1 was higher in patients, while many other immune markers were actually lower than in healthy controls. This suggests the immune system may work differently in these conditions, though the exact meaning of these differences is still unclear.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Multi-omics examination of Q fever fatigue syndrome identifies similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Raijmakers, Ruud P H, Roerink, Megan E, Jansen, Anne F M et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study compared people with Q fever fatigue syndrome (a prolonged tiredness that develops after a Q fever infection) to people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. Researchers examined three types of biological markers: gut bacteria, blood chemicals, and inflammatory proteins. They found that people with Q fever fatigue syndrome have very similar patterns to ME/CFS patients, suggesting these two conditions may share similar underlying biological mechanisms.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

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Inflammation-type dysbiosis of the oral microbiome associates with the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and long COVID.

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

How peptic ulcer disease could potentially lead to the lifelong, debilitating effects of chronic fatigue syndrome: an insight.

The antinuclear antibody dense fine speckled pattern and possible clinical associations: An indication of a proinflammatory microenvironment.

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Delineating the Association Between Soluble CD26 and Autoantibodies Against G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Immunological and Cardiovascular Parameters Identifies Distinct Patterns in Post-Infectious vs. Non-Infection-Triggered Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms.

Co-occurrence of immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis among adolescents and adult women.

Evaluation of Immune Dysregulation in an Austrian Patient Cohort Suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Complement Component C1q as a Potential Diagnostic Tool for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Subtyping.

Lowered serum cesium levels in schizophrenia: association with immune-inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive impairments.

Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia-like symptoms are an integral component of the phenome of schizophrenia: neuro-immune and opioid system correlates.

Clinical Heterogeneity in ME/CFS. A Way to Understand Long-COVID19 Fatigue.

Tryptophan Metabolites, Cytokines, and Fatty Acid Binding Protein 2 in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Patients with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and chronic pain report similar level of sickness behavior as individuals injected with bacterial endotoxin at peak inflammation.

MCP-1 is increased in patients with CFS and FM, whilst several other immune markers are significantly lower than healthy controls.

Multi-omics examination of Q fever fatigue syndrome identifies similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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