ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2641–2660 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Does hypocortisolism predict a poor response to cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome?

Roberts, A D L, Charler, M-L, Papadopoulos, A et al.·Psychological medicine·2010

This study looked at whether a hormone called cortisol, which helps regulate stress and energy, affects how well cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) works for ME/CFS patients. The researchers measured cortisol levels in 84 ME/CFS patients and tracked how many improved after receiving CBT. They found that patients with lower cortisol levels were less likely to respond well to CBT, suggesting that abnormal cortisol may be one reason why ME/CFS persists in some people.

Interventions

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 unclearCase-Control

Evidence for generalized hyperalgesia in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Meeus, Mira, Nijs, Jo, Huybrechts, Sven et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2010

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS feel pain more intensely than healthy people, even in areas where they don't typically experience pain. Researchers measured how much pressure patients and healthy volunteers could tolerate before feeling pain. They found that ME/CFS patients with chronic pain had significantly lower pain thresholds everywhere on their body, suggesting their nervous system may be in a heightened state of sensitivity.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

No evidence for XMRV association in pediatric idiopathic diseases in France.

Jeziorski, Eric, Foulongne, Vincent, Ludwig, Catherine et al.·Retrovirology·2010

Researchers tested whether a virus called XMRV might be causing various childhood illnesses and respiratory diseases. They checked samples from 151 children and adults with different conditions, but found no evidence that XMRV was present in any of them. This suggests that XMRV is likely not responsible for these particular diseases.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

One single diagnosis, bodily distress syndrome, succeeded to capture 10 diagnostic categories of functional somatic syndromes and somatoform disorders.

Fink, Per, Schröder, Andreas·Journal of psychosomatic research·2010

This study looked at whether a new diagnosis called 'bodily distress syndrome' could capture several different conditions that cause physical symptoms not explained by standard medical tests—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers tested nearly 1,000 patients and found that bodily distress syndrome successfully identified 95% of patients across all these different diagnoses, suggesting these conditions might be better understood as variations of one underlying problem rather than completely separate diseases.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A functional polymorphism in the disrupted-in schizophrenia 1 gene is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fukuda, Sanae, Hashimoto, Ryota, Ohi, Kazutaka et al.·Life sciences·2010

This study looked at a genetic variant (a small difference in DNA) in a gene called DISC1 to see if it might be linked to ME/CFS. Researchers compared blood samples from people with ME/CFS and healthy controls, and found that people carrying a particular version of this genetic variant (called Cys704) had a higher risk of developing ME/CFS. This suggests that DISC1 might play a role in how ME/CFS develops, though more research is needed to understand exactly how.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Nitric oxide metabolite production during exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Suárez, Andrea, Guillamó, Elisabet, Roig, Teresa et al.·Journal of women's health (2002)·2010

This study looked at a chemical called nitric oxide in the blood of people with ME/CFS and healthy controls before and after exercise. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had much higher levels of this chemical in their blood after exercise compared to healthy people. The findings suggest that measuring nitric oxide response to exercise might help doctors diagnose ME/CFS in the future.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Increased plasma peroxides and serum oxidized low density lipoprotein antibodies in major depression: markers that further explain the higher incidence of neurodegeneration and coronary artery disease.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivanka, Kubera, Marta et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2010

This study found that people with depression have higher levels of harmful molecules called peroxides and antibodies to oxidized cholesterol in their blood compared to healthy people. These markers suggest that depression involves increased oxidative stress—a type of cellular damage. Because these same markers are linked to heart disease and brain degeneration, the findings suggest depression may increase risk for these serious conditions through shared biological pathways.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Personality features and personality disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome: a population-based study.

Nater, Urs M, Jones, James F, Lin, Jin-Mann S et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2010

This study looked at whether certain personality traits are more common in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared 113 people with ME/CFS to people without it and found that those with ME/CFS had higher rates of certain personality patterns (like being more anxious or withdrawn) and personality disorders. However, these personality differences were not unique to ME/CFS—they also appeared in other chronically ill groups.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Methods for objective measure, quantification and analysis of sedentary behaviour and inactivity.

Chastin, S F M, Granat, M H·Gait & posture·2010

This study looked at how people spend their time sitting versus moving around by using objective tracking devices. The researchers compared four groups: healthy people with active jobs, healthy people with desk jobs, people with chronic back pain, and people with ME/CFS. Interestingly, all groups spent similar total amounts of time sitting, but the way they accumulated that sitting time was very different—people with ME/CFS and those with sedentary jobs tended to sit in longer stretches, while active people took more frequent breaks.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Fluctuation of serum vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) concentrations during exacerbation and remission phases in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Miwa, Kunihisa, Fujita, Masatoshi·Heart and vessels·2010

This study examined whether people with ME/CFS have lower levels of vitamin E, an important antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly lower vitamin E levels than healthy controls, and these levels improved when patients went into remission, suggesting that oxidative stress (cellular damage from chemical imbalances) may play a role in ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: epidemiological, clinical and prognostic differences between occupational and non-occupational cases].

Nogué Xarau, Santiago, Alarcón Romay, María, Martínez Martínez, José-Miguel et al.·Medicina clinica·2010

This study looked at 165 people with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)—a condition where people react badly to everyday chemicals—to see if it made a difference whether their condition started from workplace exposure or other sources. People whose MCS began at work had fewer related conditions like chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, and were less likely to become permanently disabled, compared to those whose MCS developed from non-work exposures.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome-like complaints in the general population.

van't Leven, Marjolein, Zielhuis, Gerhard A, van der Meer, Jos W et al.·European journal of public health·2010

This study surveyed over 9,000 Dutch adults to understand how common fatigue is in the general population and what factors might be associated with it. Researchers found that about 1% of adults experience fatigue meeting CFS-like criteria, and 30% experience longer-lasting fatigue. People with CFS-like fatigue were more likely to be female, less physically active, obese, and taking painkillers regularly.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Effectiveness of medical rehabilitation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome at a health resort].

Tovbushenko, M P, Merkulova, G A, Anashkin, V V et al.·Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury·2010

Researchers tested whether a spa resort program combined with specific treatments—including electrophoresis with succinic acid, mud therapy, and immune-boosting injections—could help ME/CFS patients feel better. The study found that this combination approach appeared to be effective at improving symptoms in the patients who participated.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Plasma IL-6, its soluble receptors and F2-isoprostanes at rest and during exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Robinson, M, Gray, S R, Watson, M S et al.·Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports·2010

This study looked at specific markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage) in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy individuals, both at rest and after exercise. Researchers found that a marker called F2-isoprostanes—which indicates oxidative stress—was consistently higher in ME/CFS patients. However, they did not find differences in inflammation markers like IL-6 between the two groups.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Failure to detect the novel retrovirus XMRV in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Erlwein, Otto, Kaye, Steve, McClure, Myra O et al.·PloS one·2010

In 2009, researchers reported finding a virus called XMRV in about two-thirds of ME/CFS patients in the US, raising hopes for a breakthrough in understanding the disease. This UK study tested blood samples from 186 ME/CFS patients to see if they also carried this virus, but found no evidence of XMRV in any of them. The results suggest the virus may not be common in ME/CFS patients in Europe, or that earlier findings may have been specific to certain populations.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lipid peroxidation is elevated in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brkic, Snezana, Tomic, Slavica, Maric, Daniela et al.·Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research·2010

This study found that women with ME/CFS have higher levels of a harmful substance called malondialdehyde (MDA), which is produced when the body experiences oxidative stress—like cellular damage from free radicals. The researchers also found that women with ME/CFS had lower levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) and higher triglycerides, patterns usually seen in people at risk for heart disease. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be contributing to ME/CFS in ways that could affect heart health.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Nitric oxide concentrations are normal and unrelated to activity level in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Meeus, Mira, VAN Eupen, Inge, Hondequin, Jasmien et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2010

This study examined whether a chemical messenger in the blood called nitric oxide (NO) is related to how active people are in ME/CFS. Researchers measured activity levels and blood NO in 30 ME/CFS patients and 29 healthy but inactive people over one week. While ME/CFS patients were indeed much less active than controls, the amount of NO in their blood was normal and had no connection to their activity levels.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a follow-up study.

van Geelen, Stefan M, Bakker, Rob J, Kuis, Wietse et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2010

This study followed 54 teenagers with ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) for about 2 years to see how they were doing. About half of the teens improved significantly, but the other half remained severely fatigued and physically limited. Teens who were older when they first got sick, had pain, struggled with mental health, or felt poorly about themselves were less likely to recover.

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Evidence browser

Does hypocortisolism predict a poor response to cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic 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.

Evidence for generalized hyperalgesia in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

No evidence for XMRV association in pediatric idiopathic diseases in France.

One single diagnosis, bodily distress syndrome, succeeded to capture 10 diagnostic categories of functional somatic syndromes and somatoform disorders.

A functional polymorphism in the disrupted-in schizophrenia 1 gene is associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nitric oxide metabolite production during exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Increased plasma peroxides and serum oxidized low density lipoprotein antibodies in major depression: markers that further explain the higher incidence of neurodegeneration and coronary artery disease.

Personality features and personality disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome: a population-based study.

Methods for objective measure, quantification and analysis of sedentary behaviour and inactivity.

Fluctuation of serum vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) concentrations during exacerbation and remission phases in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: epidemiological, clinical and prognostic differences between occupational and non-occupational cases].

Fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome-like complaints in the general population.

[Effectiveness of medical rehabilitation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome at a health resort].

Plasma IL-6, its soluble receptors and F2-isoprostanes at rest and during exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Failure to detect the novel retrovirus XMRV in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lipid peroxidation is elevated in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nitric oxide concentrations are normal and unrelated to activity level in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a follow-up study.

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