ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2901–2920 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

[Course, consequences and treatment of prolonged fatigue among workers: an overview of findings from the Maastricht Cohort Study].

Kant, Ij, Jansen, N W H, van Amelsvoort, L G P M et al.·Tijdschrift voor psychiatrie·2007

This study followed over 12,000 workers for 4 years to understand how prolonged fatigue develops and affects people's lives. Researchers found that fatigue often lasts a long time and can lead to serious problems like missed work, job loss, and weakened immunity. When doctors tried treating fatigue with brief talk therapy, it did not help.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

beta-Alanine and gamma-aminobutyric acid in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hannestad, Ulf, Theodorsson, Elvar, Evengård, Birgitta·Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry·2007

Researchers measured two brain chemicals (GABA and beta-alanine) in the urine of ME/CFS patients and healthy people to see if abnormal levels might explain fatigue and sleep problems. They found no overall difference between patients and controls, but a small subgroup of ME/CFS patients (4 out of 33) had unusually high beta-alanine levels, suggesting this chemical imbalance might affect some—but not all—people with ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Assessment of vulvodynia symptoms in a sample of US women: a prevalence survey with a nested case control study.

Arnold, Lauren D, Bachmann, Gloria A, Rosen, Raymond et al.·American journal of obstetrics and gynecology·2007

This study looked at how common vulvodynia (chronic pain in the vulva) is among American women and found that about 4% currently experience it. Women with vulvodynia were more likely to also have other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Many women reported that the pain significantly affected their sexual life and daily activities.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Not in the mind but in the cell: increased production of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivana, Kubera, Marta et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2007

This study found that people with ME/CFS have higher levels of two inflammatory molecules (COX-2 and iNOS) in their white blood cells compared to healthy people. The levels of these inflammatory markers were directly linked to how severe their symptoms were, including fatigue, pain, brain fog, and feeling like they have an infection. This suggests ME/CFS involves real inflammation in the body, not just psychological factors.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Publication trends in chronic fatigue syndrome: comparisons with fibromyalgia and fatigue: 1995-2004.

Friedberg, Fred, Sohl, Stephanie, Schmeizer, Brett·Journal of psychosomatic research·2007

This study looked at how many scientific articles about ME/CFS were published between 1995 and 2004, and compared this to articles about fibromyalgia and fatigue. The researchers found that while articles about fibromyalgia and general fatigue increased significantly during this decade, the number of ME/CFS articles stayed relatively flat. This suggests that ME/CFS was not receiving growing research attention compared to similar conditions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Cortisol and severe fatigue: a longitudinal study in adolescent girls.

Ter Wolbeek, Maike, van Doornen, Lorenz J P, Coffeng, Luc E et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2007

This study looked at whether girls with severe, ongoing fatigue have different stress hormone (cortisol) levels than girls without fatigue. Researchers tested cortisol levels at different times over a year and found that while fatigued girls reported much worse symptoms overall, their cortisol levels were actually normal and similar to non-fatigued girls. This suggests that severe fatigue in adolescents may not be caused by problems with how the body manages stress hormones.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reduced levels of oestrogen receptor beta mRNA in Swedish patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gräns, Hanna, Nilsson, Maria, Dahlman-Wright, Karin et al.·Journal of clinical pathology·2007

This study looked at a protein called estrogen receptor beta in immune cells from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of this protein compared to healthy controls. Since estrogen plays a role in immune function and ME/CFS affects more women than men, this finding suggests hormone-related immune problems might be involved in the disease.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A twin study of cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome: the effects of sudden illness onset.

Claypoole, Keith H, Noonan, Carolyn, Mahurin, Roderick K et al.·Neuropsychology·2007

This study compared 22 pairs of identical twins where one had ME/CFS and the other was healthy. Researchers gave both twins thinking and memory tests to see if ME/CFS affects the brain. Twins with ME/CFS had slower processing speed, weaker verbal memory, slower motor responses, and more difficulty with complex thinking tasks, even though they had the same genetic background as their healthy twin.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The impact of informational interventions about cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome on GPs referral behavior.

Scheeres, Korine, Wensing, Michel, Mes, Carola et al.·Patient education and counseling·2007

This study looked at whether giving doctors written information about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for ME/CFS would encourage them to refer their patients to try it. Researchers surveyed over 300 general practitioners and found that most who received the information remembered it and had better understanding of ME/CFS. About 22% of the doctors ended up referring at least one patient for CBT treatment during the study period.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Estimation of fatigue state in patient with CFS using actigraph and R-R interval power spectrum analysis].

Tajima, Seiki, Kuratsune, Hirohiko, Yamaguti, Kouzi et al.·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·2007

This study measured activity levels and sleep patterns in people with ME/CFS using wearable devices and heart rate analysis. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower activity during waking hours, slept longer, experienced more frequent sleep disruptions, and showed abnormal nervous system activity during sleep compared to healthy people.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Twin analyses of fatigue.

Schur, Ellen, Afari, Niloofar, Goldberg, Jack et al.·Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·2007

This study looked at whether fatigue and ME/CFS run in families by studying twins. Researchers asked over 1,000 pairs of identical twins and 800 pairs of fraternal twins about their fatigue symptoms. They found that in men, genetics played a bigger role in fatigue, while in women, life circumstances and personal experiences were more important.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rajeevan, M S, Smith, A K, Dimulescu, I et al.·Genes, brain, and behavior·2007

This study looked at whether differences in a specific gene (the glucocorticoid receptor gene) might affect who develops ME/CFS. Researchers compared 40 people with ME/CFS to people without the illness and found that certain genetic variations were more common in those with ME/CFS. This gene is involved in how the body manages stress through a system called the HPA axis, which may be disrupted in ME/CFS.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: study of 52 cases].

Nogué, Santiago, Fernández-Solá, Joaquim, Rovira, Elisabet et al.·Medicina clinica·2007

This study looked at 52 patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)—a condition where people react badly to everyday chemicals like pesticides and cleaning products. Most patients were middle-aged women, and about 60% developed MCS after a workplace chemical exposure. The researchers found that people with MCS often have very similar symptoms to chronic fatigue syndrome, and while their condition stayed stable over time, it significantly reduced their quality of life.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Health status and health care utilization of multiple sclerosis in Canada.

Pohar, Sheri L, Jones, C Allyson, Warren, Sharon et al.·The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques·2007

This Canadian study compared people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) to people without MS to understand how the disease affects their daily lives and health care needs. People with MS reported much worse overall health, were far more likely to experience fatigue and urinary problems, and had greater health care utilization. The study found that MS significantly burdens patients' quality of life and that their health care needs were often not being met.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Decreased expression of CD69 in chronic fatigue syndrome in relation to inflammatory markers: evidence for a severe disorder in the early activation of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

Mihaylova, Ivana, DeRuyter, Marcel, Rummens, Jean-Luc et al.·Neuro endocrinology letters·2007

This study looked at immune cell activation in people with ME/CFS by measuring a protein called CD69 on the surface of immune cells. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly lower levels of this activation marker on their T cells and natural killer cells compared to healthy people, even though the total number of immune cells was normal. This suggests that immune cells in ME/CFS may have trouble becoming activated properly in response to challenges.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

A real-time assessment of the effect of exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yoshiuchi, Kazuhiro, Cook, Dane B, Ohashi, Kyoko et al.·Physiology & behavior·2007

This study looked at what happens to people with ME/CFS after they exercise, tracking their symptoms in real-time using a watch-like computer for a week before and two weeks after exercise. The main finding was that physical symptoms like pain and fatigue got worse in ME/CFS patients, but this didn't happen right away—it took about five days to appear. Interestingly, mental symptoms and thinking abilities didn't show the same delayed worsening pattern that physical symptoms did.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The management of children with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Saidi, Guitta, Haines, Linda·The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·2006

This study looked at how family doctors (GPs) in the UK identify and care for children and teenagers with ME/CFS-like illness in their regular clinics. Researchers reviewed medical records and patient experiences from 116 young people with severe fatigue lasting over 3 months. Most were girls around age 13, and their illness had lasted several years. The study found that GPs diagnosed about half of them with CFS/ME, often within 6 months, and referred most patients to specialists or suggested strategies like pacing and graded exercise.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Generalized joint hypermobility is more common in chronic fatigue syndrome than in healthy control subjects.

Nijs, Jo, Aerts, Annemie, De Meirleir, Kenny·Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics·2006

This study found that people with ME/CFS are about 5 times more likely than healthy people to have loose, overly flexible joints (joint hypermobility). Researchers tested 68 ME/CFS patients and 69 healthy volunteers using physical exams and knee movement tests. Most ME/CFS patients in the study had joint hypermobility, but surprisingly, this looseness did not seem to be connected to how much pain they experienced.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Screening for psychological distress using internet administration of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McCue, Patricia, Buchanan, Tom, Martin, Colin R·The British journal of clinical psychology·2006

This study tested whether an online questionnaire called the HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) accurately measures anxiety and depression in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS did have higher anxiety and depression scores than healthy controls, but the online format may have artificially inflated these scores. The questionnaire appears useful for screening but measures three different aspects of emotional distress rather than just two as previously thought.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Sub-typing CFS patients on the basis of 'minor' symptoms.

Janal, Malvin N, Ciccone, Donald S, Natelson, Benjamin H·Biological psychology·2006

This study looked at 161 women with ME/CFS to see if different symptom patterns might point to different types of the illness. Researchers found three possible subtypes: one involving muscle and joint pain, one resembling infectious illness, and one affecting the brain and thinking. People with the brain-related subtype had more trouble with memory and attention, while those with the muscle/joint subtype were more likely to also have fibromyalgia.

Cognitive Impairment

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[Course, consequences and treatment of prolonged fatigue among workers: an overview of findings from the Maastricht Cohort Study].

beta-Alanine and gamma-aminobutyric acid in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Assessment of vulvodynia symptoms in a sample of US women: a prevalence survey with a nested case control study.

Not in the mind but in the cell: increased production of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Publication trends in chronic fatigue syndrome: comparisons with fibromyalgia and fatigue: 1995-2004.

Cortisol and severe fatigue: a longitudinal study in adolescent girls.

Reduced levels of oestrogen receptor beta mRNA in Swedish patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

A twin study of cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome: the effects of sudden illness onset.

The impact of informational interventions about cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome on GPs referral behavior.

[Estimation of fatigue state in patient with CFS using actigraph and R-R interval power spectrum analysis].

Twin analyses of fatigue.

Glucocorticoid receptor polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: study of 52 cases].

Health status and health care utilization of multiple sclerosis in Canada.

Decreased expression of CD69 in chronic fatigue syndrome in relation to inflammatory markers: evidence for a severe disorder in the early activation of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

A real-time assessment of the effect of exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The management of children with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness in primary care: a cross-sectional study.

Generalized joint hypermobility is more common in chronic fatigue syndrome than in healthy control subjects.

Screening for psychological distress using internet administration of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sub-typing CFS patients on the basis of 'minor' symptoms.

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