ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2941–2960 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModeratePEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

Update on the NAS-NRC Twin Registry.

Page, William F·Twin research and human genetics : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·2006

This article describes an ongoing study of twin brothers who served in World War II, tracking their health over many decades. Researchers have collected detailed health information on over 15,900 pairs of twins and are studying various diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as how people age and stay healthy. The study is now organizing and combining all their collected data to better understand what factors influence disease risk.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Severe fatigue in adolescents: a common phenomenon?

ter Wolbeek, Maike, van Doornen, Lorenz J P, Kavelaars, Annemieke et al.·Pediatrics·2006

This study looked at how common severe tiredness is in teenagers and whether it's connected to depression, anxiety, and other symptoms seen in ME/CFS patients. Researchers surveyed over 3,400 teenagers about their fatigue, mood, sleep, and daily habits. They found that severe fatigue is quite common in adolescents—especially in girls—and that it often clusters with depression, anxiety, and ME/CFS-like symptoms.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A first study of cytokine genomic polymorphisms in CFS: Positive association of TNF-857 and IFNgamma 874 rare alleles.

Carlo-Stella, N, Badulli, C, De Silvestri, A et al.·Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2006

This study looked at genetic variations in immune system genes among Italian ME/CFS patients to see if certain genetic patterns might make some people more prone to developing the condition. Researchers found that patients with ME/CFS were more likely to carry specific genetic variants in two genes (TNF and IFNgamma) that are involved in controlling inflammation. These findings suggest that genetic differences might influence how a person's immune system responds and could play a role in ME/CFS development.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Coping styles in people with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the general population of Wichita, KS.

Nater, Urs M, Wagner, Dieter, Solomon, Laura et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS cope with their illness compared to people without ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to use more escape-avoiding coping strategies (like avoidance or wishful thinking) than healthy controls. Interestingly, people with unexplained fatigue that didn't meet full ME/CFS criteria used similar coping styles to those with ME/CFS, suggesting this pattern may be common across fatiguing illnesses.

E2 ModerateGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Management of patients presenting with Sjogren's syndrome.

Venables, P J·Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology·2006

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own glands that produce tears and saliva, causing dry eyes and mouth. This article explains how doctors diagnose and treat Sjögren's syndrome, emphasizing that most patients do well with local treatments (like eye drops) and a medication called hydroxychloroquine, while stronger drugs are reserved for patients with more serious complications.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cognitive dysfunction relates to subjective report of mental fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Capuron, Lucile, Welberg, Leonie, Heim, Christine et al.·Neuropsychopharmacology : official publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2006

People with ME/CFS often report trouble thinking clearly, but researchers haven't always found proof of this on tests. This study found that cognitive problems are real, but mainly in patients who experience significant mental fatigue. When researchers gave cognitive tests to ME/CFS patients, those with high mental fatigue showed genuine difficulties with memory and attention, while those with low mental fatigue performed normally.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

How relevant are exercise capacity measures for evaluating treatment effects in chronic fatigue syndrome? Results from a prospective, multidisciplinary outcome study.

Pardaens, K, Haagdorens, L, Van Wambeke, P et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2006

This study tested whether a 6-month rehabilitation program combining cognitive therapy and graded exercise improved ME/CFS patients' quality of life and physical fitness. Patients reported significant improvements in how they felt and functioned in daily life, but their measured physical capacity (like strength and endurance on a bike test) only improved modestly. Importantly, feeling better didn't require becoming noticeably fitter—especially for patients who started out less fit.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Gulf War veterans' health: medical evaluation of a U.S. cohort.

Eisen, Seth A, Kang, Han K, Murphy, Frances M et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2005

This study looked at over 2,000 U.S. veterans from the 1991 Gulf War, comparing those who were deployed to the Persian Gulf with those who were not. Researchers found that deployed veterans had higher rates of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, skin problems, and stomach issues 10 years after the war. Overall physical health scores were similar between the two groups, but the increased risk of these specific conditions in deployed veterans suggests Gulf War deployment may have lasting health effects.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The relationships among coping styles and fatigue in an ethnically diverse sample.

Njoku, Mary Gloria C, Jason, Leonard A, Torres-Harding, Susan R·Ethnicity & health·2005

This study looked at how people from different ethnic backgrounds (African Americans, Latinos, and European Americans) cope with ME/CFS and chronic fatigue. Researchers asked patients about their coping strategies—like turning to religion, staying active, accepting their illness, or focusing on their symptoms. The study found that different ethnic groups tend to use different coping strategies, and some approaches (like denial) seemed to be less helpful across all groups.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and cortisone output in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jerjes, W K, Cleare, A J, Wessely, S et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2005

This study measured stress hormone levels (cortisol and cortisone) in saliva samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people throughout the day. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of both hormones compared to healthy controls, but the daily pattern of these hormones remained similar between the two groups. This suggests that the body's stress response system may not be working at full capacity in some ME/CFS patients.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Black, Christopher D, O'connor, Patrick J, McCully, Kevin K·Dynamic medicine : DM·2005

This small study asked 6 people with ME/CFS to increase their daily walking by about 30% for 4 weeks and tracked how they felt. Unlike some previous research suggesting exercise helps, these patients reported that their muscle pain and mood actually got worse with more activity, even though they were able to increase their activity level. The researchers suggest that people with ME/CFS may have a daily limit to how much activity they can do before symptoms worsen.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue in adult coeliac disease.

Siniscalchi, M, Iovino, P, Tortora, R et al.·Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics·2005

This study looked at fatigue in people with coeliac disease (an immune condition triggered by gluten). Researchers compared 130 coeliac disease patients—some following a gluten-free diet and some not—with 80 healthy people. They found that people with coeliac disease experienced significantly more fatigue and depression symptoms than healthy controls, though fatigue improved somewhat in those following a strict gluten-free diet.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Prevalence of atopy in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Ferré Ybarz, L, Cardona Dahl, V, Cadahía García, A et al.·Allergologia et immunopathologia·2005

Researchers compared allergies and allergic sensitivity in 25 people with ME/CFS to 20 healthy controls. While patients with ME/CFS reported slightly more respiratory symptoms and drug allergies, the study found no significant difference in overall allergic sensitization between the two groups. This suggests that allergies may not be a core feature of ME/CFS, though some patients do experience them.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Is the chronic fatigue syndrome an exercise phobia? A case control study.

Gallagher, A M, Coldrick, A R, Hedge, B et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2005

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS avoid exercise because they are afraid of it (exercise phobia). Researchers compared patients with ME/CFS to healthy but inactive people, measuring their physical stress responses and anxiety levels during normal daily activities and during an exercise test. The study found that while ME/CFS patients felt more fatigued and anxious overall, they did not show signs of fear-based anxiety specifically triggered by exercise.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge.

Bowen, Jo, Pheby, Derek, Charlett, Andre et al.·Family practice·2005

This study asked general practitioners (GPs) in the UK what they knew about ME/CFS and how confident they felt diagnosing and treating it. About half of the GPs surveyed didn't feel confident making a diagnosis, and 41% didn't feel confident treating the condition. The study found that GPs who believed ME/CFS was a real medical condition had much more positive attitudes toward patients.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

Inder, Warrick J, Prickett, Timothy C R, Mulder, Roger T·Clinical endocrinology·2005

This study tested whether ME/CFS is caused by low levels of pain-relieving chemicals (opioids) in the brain or problems with the stress hormone system. Researchers measured hormone levels and responses in 12 ME/CFS patients and 11 healthy people, and found no differences between the groups, suggesting these hormonal systems are working normally in ME/CFS despite severe fatigue and physical limitations.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Bell, Iris R, Brooks, Audrey J, Baldwin, Carol M et al.·Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·2005

This study examined how exposure to low levels of jet fuel affected thinking and attention in Gulf War veterans who were chronically ill. Researchers tested veterans' reaction times on a computer task before and after brief exposures to either jet fuel fumes or clean air, done three times over three weeks. Veterans who were ill and had chemical sensitivities showed faster reaction times after jet fuel exposure, which the researchers suggest might indicate changes in brain chemistry rather than improved thinking.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Children and adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in non-specialist settings: beliefs, functional impairment and psychiatric disturbance.

Richards, Josephine, Turk, Jeremy, White, Sarah·European child & adolescent psychiatry·2005

This study looked at 30 children and teenagers with ME/CFS who were seen in regular medical clinics (not specialist ME/CFS centers) and compared them to 30 young people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Young people with ME/CFS had much higher rates of emotional and psychiatric symptoms, missed far more school, and strongly preferred rest over exercise compared to those with IBD. The study found that children and adolescents with ME/CFS experience significant disability and psychological distress.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Is chronic fatigue syndrome a connective tissue disorder? A cross-sectional study in adolescents.

van de Putte, E M, Uiterwaal, C S P M, Bots, M L et al.·Pediatrics·2005

Researchers investigated whether ME/CFS is related to loose or stretchy connective tissue (the material that holds joints, skin, and blood vessels together). They compared 32 adolescents with ME/CFS to 167 healthy teenagers and measured joint flexibility, blood pressure, skin stretchiness, and blood vessel stiffness. While they found some differences—including lower blood pressure and stretchier skin in the ME/CFS group—they did not find the joint hypermobility that would be expected if ME/CFS were a connective tissue disorder.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira, McGregor, Neil R et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2005

This study looked at whether problems with the immune system might explain why people with ME/CFS feel exhausted after exercise and cannot exercise as much as healthy people. Researchers tested 16 ME/CFS patients' immune cells and had them exercise on a stationary bike while measuring their oxygen use and heart rate. They found that two specific immune markers—elastase and protein kinase R—were linked to reduced exercise capacity, suggesting immune dysfunction may play a role in abnormal exercise responses.

Immune System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Update on the NAS-NRC Twin Registry.

Severe fatigue in adolescents: a common phenomenon?

A first study of cytokine genomic polymorphisms in CFS: Positive association of TNF-857 and IFNgamma 874 rare alleles.

Coping styles in people with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the general population of Wichita, KS.

Management of patients presenting with Sjogren's syndrome.

Cognitive dysfunction relates to subjective report of mental fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

How relevant are exercise capacity measures for evaluating treatment effects in chronic fatigue syndrome? Results from a prospective, multidisciplinary outcome study.

Gulf War veterans' health: medical evaluation of a U.S. cohort.

The relationships among coping styles and fatigue in an ethnically diverse sample.

Diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and cortisone output in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fatigue in adult coeliac disease.

[Prevalence of atopy in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Is the chronic fatigue syndrome an exercise phobia? A case control study.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge.

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Children and adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in non-specialist settings: beliefs, functional impairment and psychiatric disturbance.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome a connective tissue disorder? A cross-sectional study in adolescents.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research