ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2981–3000 of 6,209 studies

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 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 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

Chronic widespread pain and its comorbidities: a population-based study.

Kato, Kenji, Sullivan, Patrick F, Evengård, Birgitta et al.·Archives of internal medicine·2006

This large study of over 44,000 Swedish adults found that chronic widespread pain (a hallmark of fibromyalgia) occurs together with ME/CFS, joint pain, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome much more often than by chance alone. Interestingly, when researchers compared twins, they discovered that shared family genes and home environment—not just the pain condition itself—explained much of why these conditions cluster together.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Patterns of hypocapnia on tilt in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, nonspecific dizziness, and neurally mediated syncope.

Naschitz, Jochanan E, Mussafia-Priselac, Renata, Kovalev, Yulia et al.·The American journal of the medical sciences·2006

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and dizziness breathe too fast when standing up, causing them to exhale too much carbon dioxide (a condition called hypocapnia). Researchers tested 585 people using a tilt table that slowly raises the upper body while measuring breathing patterns. They found that 9-27% of people with these conditions showed abnormal breathing on the tilt test, compared to 0-2% of healthy controls, suggesting this may be a real but not universal feature of these illnesses.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Allostatic load is associated with symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Goertzel, Benjamin N, Pennachin, Cassio, de Souza Coelho, Lucio et al.·Pharmacogenomics·2006

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients have higher 'allostatic load'—a measure of stress on the body's systems including metabolism, heart function, and hormones. Researchers compared 43 ME/CFS patients to 60 healthy controls and found that ME/CFS patients with higher allostatic load reported worse physical function, more body pain, and more frequent symptoms. The study suggests the body's stress response systems may play a role in ME/CFS severity.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Medically evaluated psychological and physical health of Australian Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue.

Kelsall, Helen, Sim, Malcolm, McKenzie, Dean et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

This study compared fatigue and health problems in Australian military veterans who served in the Gulf War with similar military personnel who did not deploy there. Researchers found that Gulf War veterans reported more fatigue at all severity levels than the comparison group. Importantly, unexplained chronic fatigue (similar to ME/CFS) was more common in veterans, though true ME/CFS remained rare in both groups, at levels similar to the general population.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The influence of aerobic fitness and fibromyalgia on cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cook, Dane B, Nagelkirk, Paul R, Poluri, Ashok et al.·Arthritis and rheumatism·2006

This study compared how people with ME/CFS respond to exercise on a stationary bike, looking at heart rate, breathing, and how hard the exercise felt. People with ME/CFS alone had similar physical responses to healthy controls, but those with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia showed different breathing patterns and found exercise much more painful and exhausting.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Clinical burnout is not reflected in the cortisol awakening response, the day-curve or the response to a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.

Mommersteeg, Paula M C, Heijnen, Cobi J, Verbraak, Marc J P M et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2006

This study tested whether burnout affects the body's stress hormone system (cortisol levels) in the same way that chronic stress does. Researchers measured cortisol levels in 74 people with burnout and 35 healthy people using saliva samples and a hormone suppression test. They found no differences between the two groups, suggesting that burnout may not change cortisol patterns the way researchers expected.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Long-term predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: a 4-year follow-up study.

Leone, Stephanie S, Huibers, Marcus J H, Kant, Ijmert et al.·Psychological medicine·2006

This study followed 127 people who were on sick leave due to fatigue for 4 years to see who would recover and return to work. After 4 years, about one-quarter of the participants were still unable to work due to disability. The study found that people with lower physical functioning at the start were more likely to remain disabled and continue experiencing fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: an example of cytokine mediated sickness behaviour?

Heesen, C, Nawrath, L, Reich, C et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2006

This study looked at whether immune system chemicals called cytokines might cause fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients, similar to how infection makes you feel tired and sick. Researchers compared blood samples from 15 MS patients with severe fatigue to 15 MS patients without fatigue, and found that those with fatigue had significantly higher levels of inflammatory molecules. This suggests that immune system activation may be a key driver of MS-related fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

The war-related illness and injury study centers: a resource for deployment-related health concerns.

Lincoln, Andrew E, Helmer, Drew A, Schneiderman, Aaron I et al.·Military medicine·2006

This study looked at 53 combat veterans from the Persian Gulf War who had unexplained illnesses after returning home. Researchers found that many of these veterans had chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and PTSD. When veterans received specialized care through a referral program, they showed a modest improvement in mental health symptoms and used more rehabilitation services.

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 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

The incidence of fibromyalgia and its associated comorbidities: a population-based retrospective cohort study based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes.

Weir, Peter T, Harlan, Gregory A, Nkoy, Flo L et al.·Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases·2006

This study looked at how often fibromyalgia is diagnosed in a large group of insured people over a 6-year period. The researchers found that fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in women than men, though not as dramatically as previous studies suggested. People with fibromyalgia were much more likely to also have other conditions like depression, anxiety, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Mirrored symptoms in mother and child with chronic fatigue syndrome.

van de Putte, Elise M, van Doornen, Lorenz J P, Engelbert, Raoul H H et al.·Pediatrics·2006

This study looked at whether parents of teenagers with ME/CFS also have ME/CFS or similar fatigue symptoms. Researchers compared 40 adolescents with ME/CFS to 36 healthy teens and surveyed both children and parents about fatigue and mood. They found that mothers of teens with ME/CFS were significantly more likely to have fatigue and psychological distress similar to their child, while fathers showed no such pattern.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment of increased oxidative stress and altered muscle excitability in response to incremental exercise.

Jammes, Y, Steinberg, J G, Mambrini, O et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2005

This study examined how muscles respond to exercise in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers had patients cycle at increasing intensities while measuring oxygen use, heart rate, muscle electrical signals, and markers of cellular stress. They found that ME/CFS patients showed increased oxidative stress (cellular damage) and abnormal muscle electrical activity during and after exercise, which may explain exercise-related pain and exhaustion.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Family health and characteristics in chronic fatigue syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and emotional disorders of childhood.

Rangel, Luiza, Garralda, M Elena, Jeffs, Jim et al.·Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·2005

This study looked at families of children with ME/CFS and compared them to families of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA, an autoimmune joint disease) and emotional disorders like anxiety or depression. Researchers found that parents of children with ME/CFS were more likely to have ME/CFS-like symptoms themselves, experience greater emotional stress, and report their child's illness as more burdensome to family life compared to parents of children with JRA.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivana, De Ruyter, Marcel·Neuro endocrinology letters·2005

This study compared hormone levels in people with ME/CFS to healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly lower levels of DHEAS (a hormone made by the adrenal glands), but normal levels of another hormone called IGF1. The low DHEAS was closely linked to markers of immune system activation and inflammation, suggesting this hormone imbalance may contribute to ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

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 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.

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

Is chronic fatigue syndrome associated with platelet activation?

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

Chronic widespread pain and its comorbidities: a population-based study.

Patterns of hypocapnia on tilt in patients with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, nonspecific dizziness, and neurally mediated syncope.

Allostatic load is associated with symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Medically evaluated psychological and physical health of Australian Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue.

The influence of aerobic fitness and fibromyalgia on cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clinical burnout is not reflected in the cortisol awakening response, the day-curve or the response to a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test.

Long-term predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: a 4-year follow-up study.

Fatigue in multiple sclerosis: an example of cytokine mediated sickness behaviour?

The war-related illness and injury study centers: a resource for deployment-related health concerns.

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

The incidence of fibromyalgia and its associated comorbidities: a population-based retrospective cohort study based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes.

Mirrored symptoms in mother and child with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment of increased oxidative stress and altered muscle excitability in response to incremental exercise.

Family health and characteristics in chronic fatigue syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and emotional disorders of childhood.

Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS.

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

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

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