ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2821–2840 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An IgM-mediated immune response directed against nitro-bovine serum albumin (nitro-BSA) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and major depression: evidence that nitrosative stress is another factor underpinning the comorbidity between major depression and CFS.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivana, Kubera, Marta et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2008

This study looked for signs of damage from harmful molecules called nitrosative stress in people with ME/CFS and depression. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS and depression had higher levels of immune antibodies (IgM) attacking damaged proteins, suggesting their bodies are being harmed by these harmful molecules more than healthy people. The study also found a connection between this damage and leaky gut, where bacteria products leak through the intestinal barrier.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Implementing cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in mental health care: a costs and outcomes analysis.

Scheeres, Korine, Wensing, Michel, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·BMC health services research·2008

This study tested whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), a talk-based treatment, could be successfully offered to ME/CFS patients at a mental health center and whether it was worth the cost. Researchers tracked 125 patients before and after treatment and found that 37% recovered from CFS, patients' healthcare costs went down, and overall costs to society were lower. The study suggests that offering CBT for ME/CFS in mental health settings could be both helpful and financially reasonable.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Negotiating the diagnostic uncertainty of contested illnesses: physician practices and paradigms.

Swoboda, Debra A·Health (London, England : 1997)·2008

This study surveyed 800 U.S. doctors to understand how they diagnose ME/CFS and similar illnesses that lack clear lab tests or agreed-upon causes. Researchers found that many doctors do diagnose these conditions, even without complete scientific consensus, by using practical strategies like consulting expert resources, ordering specific tests, and considering how the body might be affected. The study shows that doctors can rationally diagnose ME/CFS by using thoughtful decision-making processes, and that patients may benefit from seeing doctors who use these careful diagnostic approaches.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Alterations in diurnal salivary cortisol rhythm in a population-based sample of cases with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nater, Urs M, Youngblood, Laura Solomon, Jones, James F et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2008

This study measured stress hormone (cortisol) levels and immune markers in saliva and blood from people with ME/CFS, people with significant fatigue who don't meet full CFS criteria, and healthy controls. People with ME/CFS showed an abnormal pattern: lower cortisol in the morning and higher in the evening (the opposite of what's healthy), suggesting their stress-response system may not be working normally.

Immune 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 unclearObservational

Measuring health outcomes of a multidisciplinary care approach in individuals with chronic environmental conditions using an abbreviated symptoms questionnaire.

Fox, Roy, Sampalli, Tara, Fox, Jonathan·Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare·2008

This study looked at how well a multidisciplinary treatment program (combining different types of care) worked for people with multiple chemical sensitivity and related conditions like ME/CFS. Researchers tracked 292 patients over time and used a symptom questionnaire to measure improvement. They found that some symptoms like difficulty concentrating and tiredness improved quickly (within 6 months), while others like fatigue took longer to improve.

Cognitive Impairment

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

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.

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 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 requiredCross-Sectional

Towards standard setting for patient-reported outcomes in the NHS homeopathic hospitals.

Thompson, Elizabeth A, Mathie, Robert T, Baitson, Elizabeth S et al.·Homeopathy : the journal of the Faculty of Homeopathy·2008

This study collected information from five NHS homeopathic hospitals in the UK to understand what conditions patients were being treated for and whether they felt better. Researchers recorded data from nearly 1,800 patient visits over 4 weeks, including what health problems patients had and whether they noticed improvements in their daily life. Among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), about 59% reported meaningful improvements in their daily functioning after 6 or more appointments.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Physical health 25 years later: the predictive ability of neuroticism.

Charles, Susan Turk, Gatz, Margaret, Kato, Kenji et al.·Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·2008

This study followed over 21,000 people for 25 years to see if personality traits measured in 1973 could predict physical health problems in 1998–2002. The researchers found that people who scored higher on neuroticism—a trait involving worry, emotional sensitivity, and stress—were more likely to report having chronic conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome. However, when family history was considered, some of these connections weakened, suggesting that genetics may partly explain why certain personality traits and health problems run in families.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with chronic enterovirus infection of the stomach.

Chia, J K S, Chia, A Y·Journal of clinical pathology·2008

This study examined stomach biopsies from 165 ME/CFS patients to look for enterovirus (a type of virus) because many patients report stomach problems. Researchers found that 82% of ME/CFS patients had signs of enterovirus in their stomach cells, compared to only 20% of healthy control patients. Some patients tested positive for the virus years apart, suggesting a persistent infection rather than a one-time illness.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

'Physical or psychological?'- a comparative study of causal attribution for chronic fatigue in Brazilian and British primary care patients.

Cho, H J, Bhugra, D, Wessely, S·Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica·2008

This study compared how patients with long-term unexplained fatigue in Brazil and Britain understand what caused their illness. British patients were more likely to believe their fatigue had a physical cause, while both groups experienced similar levels of disability despite their different beliefs about its origin. The findings suggest that culture and society influence how people understand and talk about their chronic fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Prevalence of chronic widespread pain and chronic fatigue syndrome in Korean livestock raisers.

Kim, Seong-Ho, Lee, Kwan, Lim, Hyun-Sul·Journal of occupational health·2008

This study looked at how common chronic widespread pain and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) are among Korean livestock farmers. Researchers surveyed farmers to understand whether their work environments and conditions might be connected to these conditions. The study helps show that ME/CFS affects not just office workers, but also people in physically demanding jobs like farming.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Deficits of interference control in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

van de Putte, Elise M, Böcker, Koen B, Buitelaar, Jan et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2008

This study looked at how well teenagers with ME/CFS could focus and filter out distractions compared to healthy teenagers. Researchers used brain activity tests to see if adolescents with ME/CFS had difficulty with tasks requiring concentration and filtering out irrelevant information. The findings suggest that ME/CFS in teenagers may affect how the brain controls attention and handles competing information.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Neurocognitive and functional outcomes in persons recovering from West Nile virus illness.

Sejvar, James J, Curns, Aaron T, Welburg, Leonie et al.·Journal of neuropsychology·2008

This study looked at 54 people who had recovered from West Nile virus infection about 1.5 years after getting sick. Researchers tested their memory, thinking skills, and quality of life. They found that half of the mildly ill patients and three-quarters of those with more severe illness still had ongoing symptoms and problems with daily functioning, even though most performed normally on formal cognitive tests.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A matched case control study of orthostatic intolerance in children/adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Galland, Barbara C, Jackson, Pamela M, Sayers, Rachel M et al.·Pediatric research·2008

This study looked at how the hearts and blood vessels of children and teenagers with ME/CFS respond when they stand up or are tilted upright. Researchers compared 26 young people with ME/CFS to similar healthy controls using a tilt table test. They found that children with ME/CFS were much more likely to experience dizziness and abnormal heart rate responses during the test, suggesting their bodies struggle to regulate blood pressure and heart function when upright.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii among employees of the Veterinary University in Kosice, eastern Slovakia.

Dorko, Erik, Kalinova, Zuzana, Weissova, Tatiana et al.·Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM·2008

This study tested veterinary university employees in Slovakia for past or present infection with a bacteria called Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever—a disease spread mainly through contact with infected animals or their fluids. Researchers found that more than one-third of the employees had antibodies (immune markers) suggesting exposure to this bacteria, and some employees reported having chronic fatigue syndrome, fever of unknown origin, and other unexplained health problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Genetic evaluation of the serotonergic system in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Smith, Alicia K, Dimulescu, Irina, Falkenberg, Virginia R et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2008

This study looked at genes related to serotonin (a brain chemical) to see if certain genetic variations are more common in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared 40 ME/CFS patients with 97 control subjects and found that specific genetic markers in the HTR2A gene were associated with ME/CFS and with severity of fatigue and disability. These genetic variations may increase how active the serotonin system is in the brain, which could play a role in ME/CFS.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

An IgM-mediated immune response directed against nitro-bovine serum albumin (nitro-BSA) in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and major depression: evidence that nitrosative stress is another factor underpinning the comorbidity between major depression and CFS.

Implementing cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in mental health care: a costs and outcomes analysis.

Negotiating the diagnostic uncertainty of contested illnesses: physician practices and paradigms.

Alterations in diurnal salivary cortisol rhythm in a population-based sample of cases with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic pain and fatigue: Associations with religion and spirituality.

Measuring health outcomes of a multidisciplinary care approach in individuals with chronic environmental conditions using an abbreviated symptoms questionnaire.

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

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

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

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

Towards standard setting for patient-reported outcomes in the NHS homeopathic hospitals.

Physical health 25 years later: the predictive ability of neuroticism.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with chronic enterovirus infection of the stomach.

'Physical or psychological?'- a comparative study of causal attribution for chronic fatigue in Brazilian and British primary care patients.

Prevalence of chronic widespread pain and chronic fatigue syndrome in Korean livestock raisers.

Deficits of interference control in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neurocognitive and functional outcomes in persons recovering from West Nile virus illness.

A matched case control study of orthostatic intolerance in children/adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to Coxiella burnetii among employees of the Veterinary University in Kosice, eastern Slovakia.

Genetic evaluation of the serotonergic system in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research