ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2761–2780 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: association with neuroendocrine dysfunction.

Heim, Christine, Nater, Urs M, Maloney, Elizabeth et al.·Archives of general psychiatry·2009

This study found that people with ME/CFS who experienced childhood trauma (such as abuse or neglect) have significantly different stress hormone levels compared to healthy people. Specifically, those with ME/CFS and childhood trauma history showed lower cortisol (a stress hormone) levels after waking up. The research suggests that early difficult experiences may damage the body's stress-response system in ways that increase vulnerability to developing ME/CFS later in life.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Health of US veterans of 1991 Gulf War: a follow-up survey in 10 years.

Kang, Han K, Li, Bo, Mahan, Clare M et al.·Journal of occupational and environmental medicine·2009

This study followed over 30,000 U.S. military veterans for 14 years after the 1991 Gulf War to track their health. Veterans who were deployed to the Gulf reported significantly more chronic fatigue, unexplained multi-symptom illness, PTSD, and other health problems compared to veterans who were not deployed. These health differences persisted over time, suggesting the Gulf deployment had lasting effects on veterans' wellbeing.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An investigation into the cognitive deficits associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Thomas, Marie, Smith, Andrew·The open neurology journal·2009

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have real problems with thinking and memory, not just imagine they do. The researchers gave a large group of properly diagnosed ME/CFS patients a thorough set of cognitive tests and found clear evidence of cognitive difficulties. Importantly, these problems were not caused by depression or anxiety, suggesting they are a direct part of the illness.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Illness behaviors in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue are associated with significant other responses.

Romano, Joan M, Jensen, Mark P, Schmaling, Karen B et al.·Journal of behavioral medicine·2009

This study looked at how the responses of family members and close partners affect people with chronic fatigue. Researchers found that when significant others were supportive or 'solicitous' (caring and attentive), patients tended to show more illness-related behaviors. Interestingly, when significant others responded negatively, patients reported higher levels of depression. The findings suggest that social interactions and family dynamics may play a role in how chronic fatigue affects daily functioning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An angiotensin-1 converting enzyme polymorphism is associated with allostatic load mediated by C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and cortisol.

Smith, Alicia K, Maloney, Elizabeth M, Falkenberg, Virginia R et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2009

This study looked at whether a specific genetic variation in a gene called ACE affects how people's bodies respond to stress and illness. Researchers measured multiple stress-related markers (inflammation, immune system activity, and cortisol levels) in people with and without ME/CFS. They found that people carrying a particular version of the ACE gene tended to have higher stress responses and more inflammation, suggesting genes may play a role in how severely someone's body reacts to stress.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies, polymorphisms in the serotonin pathway, and human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in chronic fatigue syndrome: are they associated with age at onset and specific symptoms?

Ortega-Hernandez, Oscar-Danilo, Cuccia, Mariaclara, Bozzini, Sara et al.·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2009

This study looked at whether certain genetic traits and immune markers in the blood are linked to when ME/CFS develops and what symptoms people experience. Researchers tested 81 ME/CFS patients for specific genes related to serotonin (a brain chemical), immune system genes, and antibodies. They found that different genetic patterns were associated with developing ME/CFS at different ages and with certain symptoms like joint pain and fever, but not muscle pain.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Chronic fatigue syndrome after infectious mononucleosis in adolescents.

Katz, Ben Z, Shiraishi, Yukiko, Mears, Cynthia J et al.·Pediatrics·2009

This study followed 301 teenagers with infectious mononucleosis (mono) to see how many developed ME/CFS afterward. Researchers checked in at 6, 12, and 24 months and found that fewer teenagers had ME/CFS as time went on: 13% at 6 months, 7% at 12 months, and 4% at 24 months. All 13 teenagers still diagnosed with ME/CFS at 24 months were female, and they had reported more severe fatigue earlier in their illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Illness intrusiveness in myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory study.

Goudsmit, E M, Stouten, B, Howes, S·Journal of health psychology·2009

This study looked at how much ME disrupts different areas of patients' lives—work, social activities, hobbies, and relationships. Researchers asked 24 people with ME about their symptoms, how disabled they felt, and their mood. They found that ME significantly intrudes on daily life, and this intrusion was linked to fatigue, brain fog, disability, and depression. Patients who had ME plus other health conditions reported even more life disruption than those with ME alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in two "ideologically" contrasting clinics.

Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn, Van Hoof, Elke, Becq, Katrien et al.·The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2009

This study compared ME/CFS patients from two Belgian clinics—one focused on biological causes and one on psychological/social factors. Researchers found that patients at both clinics were actually quite similar in terms of fatigue levels, mood problems, and confidence in managing their illness. However, patients who experienced a sudden illness onset and believed their condition was physical in nature were more likely to attend the biologically-focused clinic.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Diffuse noxious inhibitory control is delayed in chronic fatigue syndrome: an experimental study.

Meeus, Mira, Nijs, Jo, Van de Wauwer, Naomi et al.·Pain·2008

This study tested how quickly the body's natural pain-blocking system kicks in when ME/CFS patients experience heat pain compared to healthy people. Researchers immersed participants' arms in warm water and tracked pain levels over time. They found that people with ME/CFS have stronger pain sensations overall, and their bodies take longer to activate the natural pain-suppression mechanism that normally reduces pain during ongoing stimulation.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attentional bias towards health-threat information in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hou, Ruihua, Moss-Morris, Rona, Bradley, Brendan P et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2008

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS pay more attention to health-related threats compared to neutral information. Researchers used a simple computer task showing words and pictures related to health threats or neutral topics, and found that people with ME/CFS did indeed focus more on the health-threat information than healthy people did. This pattern of attention might help explain why some cognitive therapy approaches can be helpful for ME/CFS.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: testing popular hypotheses using a national birth cohort study.

Harvey, Samuel B, Wadsworth, Michael, Wessely, Simon et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2008

This study followed nearly 5,000 people from birth into their 50s to understand what causes ME/CFS. Researchers found that people who exercised more throughout their life—and continued exercising even as they felt increasingly tired—were more likely to develop ME/CFS later on. The study suggests that continuing to push yourself physically while experiencing growing fatigue may play a role in developing this condition.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome and related disorders in UK veterans of the Gulf War 1990-1991: results from a two-phase cohort study.

Ismail, K, Kent, K, Sherwood, R et al.·Psychological medicine·2008

This study looked at whether Gulf War veterans had higher rates of ME/CFS and related conditions compared to other military personnel. Researchers surveyed over 10,000 military personnel and then closely examined disabled Gulf War veterans and similarly disabled veterans who served elsewhere. They found that Gulf War veterans were about 8 times more likely to meet the criteria for ME/CFS than veterans who were not deployed to the Gulf.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is an under-recognized condition in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hoad, A, Spickett, G, Elliott, J et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2008

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have a condition called POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), which causes the heart to beat much faster when standing up. Researchers tested 59 ME/CFS patients and compared them to 52 healthy people, measuring heart rate changes when they stood up. They found that 27% of ME/CFS patients had POTS, compared to only 9% of healthy controls, suggesting this condition is common but often missed in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic pain and fatigue: Associations with religion and spirituality.

Baetz, M, Bowen, R·Pain research & management·2008

This study looked at whether religion and spiritual beliefs affect how people experience chronic pain and fatigue, including ME/CFS. Using data from over 37,000 Canadians, researchers found that people who actively practice religion had fewer chronic pain and fatigue symptoms, while those who were spiritual but didn't attend religious services were more likely to have these conditions. People with chronic pain and fatigue often used prayer and spiritual support to cope, and those combining both religion and spirituality reported better emotional well-being.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prefrontal cortex oxygenation during incremental exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Patrick Neary, J, Roberts, Andy D W, Leavins, Nina et al.·Clinical physiology and functional imaging·2008

This study measured oxygen levels in the brain during exercise in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. People with ME/CFS became exhausted much faster, at lower exercise levels, and showed lower oxygen and blood volume in their brain during and after exercise, suggesting that reduced blood flow to the brain may be part of what causes exercise problems in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Disability associated with comorbid anxiety disorders in women with chronic physical illness in Ontario, Canada.

Gadalla, Tahany M·Women & health·2008

This study looked at data from over 40,000 Canadian adults to understand how anxiety disorders affect people with chronic illnesses, particularly women. The researchers found that women with chronic physical illnesses—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and digestive problems—are much more likely to also experience anxiety disorders. When anxiety and physical illness occur together, people report more disability in daily activities and higher rates of suicidal thoughts.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Gait characteristics of subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome and controls at self-selected and matched velocities.

Paul, Lorna, Rafferty, Danny, Wood, Leslie et al.·Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation·2008

People with ME/CFS often walk differently than healthy people. Researchers tracked how 12 people with ME/CFS and 12 healthy controls walked, measuring their leg and ankle movements. People with ME/CFS walked slower and had different ankle movements, especially when walking at their own comfortable pace.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

The economic impact of ME/CFS: individual and societal costs.

Jason, Leonard A, Benton, Mary C, Valentine, Lisa et al.·Dynamic medicine : DM·2008

This study looked at how much money ME/CFS costs both individual patients and society as a whole in the United States. Researchers examined medical bills, test costs, and medication expenses for ME/CFS patients in two different groups. They found that ME/CFS is very expensive—costing between $2,000 and $8,600 per patient per year in direct medical costs alone, and billions of dollars to society when you include lost work and productivity.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The prevalence of generalized soft tissue rheumatic conditions in Turkish medical students.

Eyigor, Sibel, Ozdedeli, Selcen, Durmaz, Berrin·Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases·2008

This study looked at how common soft tissue pain conditions—including fibromyalgia, muscle pain, and joint hypermobility—are among medical students in Turkey. Researchers found that about 1 in 5 students had one of these conditions, with women affected much more often than men. Students with these conditions reported lower quality of life, especially in physical functioning and energy levels.

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Childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: association with neuroendocrine dysfunction.

Health of US veterans of 1991 Gulf War: a follow-up survey in 10 years.

An investigation into the cognitive deficits associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Illness behaviors in patients with unexplained chronic fatigue are associated with significant other responses.

An angiotensin-1 converting enzyme polymorphism is associated with allostatic load mediated by C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 and cortisol.

Autoantibodies, polymorphisms in the serotonin pathway, and human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in chronic fatigue syndrome: are they associated with age at onset and specific symptoms?

Chronic fatigue syndrome after infectious mononucleosis in adolescents.

Illness intrusiveness in myalgic encephalomyelitis: an exploratory study.

A comparison of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in two "ideologically" contrasting clinics.

Diffuse noxious inhibitory control is delayed in chronic fatigue syndrome: an experimental study.

Attentional bias towards health-threat information in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: testing popular hypotheses using a national birth cohort study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and related disorders in UK veterans of the Gulf War 1990-1991: results from a two-phase cohort study.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is an under-recognized condition in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic pain and fatigue: Associations with religion and spirituality.

Prefrontal cortex oxygenation during incremental exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Disability associated with comorbid anxiety disorders in women with chronic physical illness in Ontario, Canada.

Gait characteristics of subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome and controls at self-selected and matched velocities.

The economic impact of ME/CFS: individual and societal costs.

The prevalence of generalized soft tissue rheumatic conditions in Turkish medical students.

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