ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2941–2960 of 6,188 studies

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

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Linear data mining the Wichita clinical matrix suggests sleep and allostatic load involvement in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gurbaxani, Brian M, Jones, James F, Goertzel, Benjamin N et al.·Pharmacogenomics·2006

Researchers analyzed clinical data from 164 ME/CFS patients and controls to identify patterns that distinguish the condition from health. Using mathematical techniques to find which body measurements best separated the two groups, they found that sleep problems and markers of physical stress (allostatic load) were important—though no single measurement was strongly predictive on its own. The study suggests that ME/CFS may involve multiple interconnected biological changes rather than one simple cause.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Activation of human herpesviruses 6 and 7 in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chapenko, S, Krumina, A, Kozireva, S et al.·Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology·2006

This study looked at whether two common viruses (HHV-6 and HHV-7) that usually stay dormant in the body might be reactivating in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS were more likely to have both viruses active at the same time, and when both were active, their immune cells showed signs of stress. This suggests these viruses might play a role in ME/CFS, though the study cannot prove they cause the disease.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of acceptance.

Van Damme, Stefaan, Crombez, Geert, Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study looked at whether accepting ME/CFS—rather than fighting against it—might help patients feel better overall. Ninety-seven patients answered questionnaires about their fatigue, daily functioning, mood, and how much they accepted their illness. The researchers found that patients who accepted their condition reported better emotional health and less anxiety, even when accounting for how severe their fatigue was.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Influence of melatonin on fatigue severity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and late melatonin secretion.

van Heukelom, R O, Prins, J B, Smits, M G et al.·European journal of neurology·2006

This study tested whether melatonin could help reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients who have a delayed internal body clock. Twenty-nine patients took 5 mg of melatonin for 3 months timed to their natural sleep-wake rhythm, and researchers measured changes in their fatigue using a validated questionnaire. The treatment improved fatigue, concentration, motivation, and activity levels, with the biggest improvements seen in patients whose body clocks were most delayed.

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 requiredCross-Sectional

Shortened QT interval: a distinctive feature of the dysautonomia of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Naschitz, Jochanan, Fields, Madeline, Isseroff, Hillel et al.·Journal of electrocardiology·2006

This study examined heart rhythm patterns in ME/CFS patients by measuring a specific electrical timing interval on EKGs (called the QT interval). Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had shorter QT intervals than healthy controls, both when lying down and during a head-up tilt test. This shortened interval appears to be linked to the autonomic nervous system problems common in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Impaired natural immunity, cognitive dysfunction, and physical symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: preliminary evidence for a subgroup?

Siegel, Scott D, Antoni, Michael H, Fletcher, Mary Ann et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study looked at whether a specific immune system measure called natural killer cell activity (NKCA) could help identify different subgroups of ME/CFS patients. Researchers compared 41 women with ME/CFS who had low NKCA levels to those with normal levels, measuring their cognitive ability and symptoms. They found that patients with low NKCA reported worse cognitive problems, more daytime dysfunction, and performed worse on thinking tests compared to those with normal NKCA levels.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Probing the working memory system in chronic fatigue syndrome: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study using the n-back task.

Caseras, Xavier, Mataix-Cols, David, Giampietro, Vincent et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2006

Researchers used brain imaging to study how people with ME/CFS perform memory tasks. Although patients and healthy people did equally well on the tasks, their brains used different patterns of activity—patients showed unusual activation in certain brain regions during easier tasks and reduced activity in key memory areas during harder tasks. This suggests that people with ME/CFS may need to work harder mentally to achieve the same results.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Spectroscopic diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome by visible and near-infrared spectroscopy in serum samples.

Sakudo, Akikazu, Kuratsune, Hirohiko, Kobayashi, Takanori et al.·Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2006

Researchers used a special light-based scanning technique to analyze blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people. The scans could correctly identify which samples came from ME/CFS patients about 93% of the time. This suggests that a simple blood test using this technology might one day help doctors diagnose ME/CFS objectively, rather than relying only on symptoms and other tests.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Is chronic fatigue syndrome associated with platelet activation?

Kennedy, Gwen, Norris, Gillian, Spence, Vance et al.·Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis·2006

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have problems with blood clotting and platelet activation (small cells in blood that help form clots). Researchers tested 17 patients with CFS and 16 healthy control participants using standard blood tests. They found no evidence that CFS patients have increased clotting problems or overactive platelets.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Evaluation of maximal exercise performance, fatigue, and depression in athletes with acquired chronic training intolerance.

St Clair Gibson, A, Grobler, L A, Collins, M et al.·Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine·2006

This study looked at athletes who reported unusual tiredness and couldn't train like they normally could, even though their bodies seemed to work normally during fitness tests. Researchers found that these athletes' muscles and heart/lung capacity were just as strong as athletes without fatigue problems, but they had higher scores for depression and mood problems. The study suggests that the excessive tiredness these athletes felt might be connected to depression rather than a physical problem with their muscles or fitness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome and high allostatic load.

Maloney, Elizabeth M, Gurbaxani, Brian M, Jones, James F et al.·Pharmacogenomics·2006

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have higher "allostatic load"—a measure of how much physical stress the body is under based on things like blood pressure, cortisol levels, and waist-to-hip ratio. Researchers compared 43 ME/CFS patients to 60 healthy people and found that ME/CFS patients were about twice as likely to have high allostatic load. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve ongoing physical stress on the body's systems.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Linkages between goal attainment and quality of life for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Query, Michelle, Taylor, Renée R·Occupational therapy in health care·2006

This study looked at whether setting and achieving personal goals could improve quality of life for people with ME/CFS. Forty-seven participants attended eight group sessions where they set goals and tracked their progress. The researchers found that people who made progress toward their goals reported better quality of life, regardless of how severe their fatigue or other symptoms were.

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 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Differential diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

Hawk, Caroline, Jason, Leonard A, Torres-Harding, Susan·International journal of behavioral medicine·2006

This study compared people with ME/CFS, people with depression, and healthy controls to find which symptoms best tell these conditions apart. Researchers found that post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity), unrefreshing sleep, and memory problems were the strongest differences. When they used a combination of symptoms including fatigue duration and severity of various symptoms, they could correctly identify which group each person belonged to nearly 100% of the time.

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 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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Early adverse experience and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a population-based study.

Heim, Christine, Wagner, Dieter, Maloney, Elizabeth et al.·Archives of general psychiatry·2006

This study found that people with ME/CFS reported experiencing more childhood trauma (such as abuse or neglect) than people without the illness. The more types of trauma someone experienced as a child, the higher their risk of developing ME/CFS later in life. The connection between childhood trauma and ME/CFS risk was stronger when people also had depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

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

Linear data mining the Wichita clinical matrix suggests sleep and allostatic load involvement in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Activation of human herpesviruses 6 and 7 in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Well-being in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: the role of acceptance.

Influence of melatonin on fatigue severity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and late melatonin secretion.

Severe fatigue in adolescents: a common phenomenon?

Shortened QT interval: a distinctive feature of the dysautonomia of chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Impaired natural immunity, cognitive dysfunction, and physical symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: preliminary evidence for a subgroup?

Probing the working memory system in chronic fatigue syndrome: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study using the n-back task.

Spectroscopic diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome by visible and near-infrared spectroscopy in serum samples.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome associated with platelet activation?

Evaluation of maximal exercise performance, fatigue, and depression in athletes with acquired chronic training intolerance.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and high allostatic load.

Linkages between goal attainment and quality of life for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Update on the NAS-NRC Twin Registry.

Differential diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.

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

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

Early adverse experience and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: results from a population-based study.

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