ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3001–3020 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, James F, Nicholson, Ainsley, Nisenbaum, Rosane et al.·The American journal of medicine·2005

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have problems with their body's ability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate when changing positions (like standing up). Researchers compared 58 people with ME/CFS to 55 healthy people using a tilt table test. Surprisingly, they found that both groups had similar rates of these problems, suggesting that this particular type of autonomic dysfunction may not be a primary cause of ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome].

Wang, Qian, Xiong, Jia-Xuan·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2005

This small study looked at whether acupuncture with electrical stimulation could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Forty patients received electroacupuncture treatments targeting specific points on the back. After treatment, patients reported that their fatigue improved, their mood lifted, and anxiety decreased based on questionnaire scores.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with antibiotics: pilot study assessing the involvement of Coxiella burnetii infection.

Iwakami, Etsuko, Arashima, Yasutomo, Kato, Kimitoshi et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2005

Researchers tested whether a specific bacterium called Coxiella burnetii might be causing ME/CFS by treating infected patients with antibiotics. While the antibiotics successfully cleared the infection in all patients tested, symptoms like fever, headache, and fatigue did not improve in the ME/CFS group—though they did improve significantly in patients who had post-Q fever fatigue syndrome (a related condition). This suggests that even though some ME/CFS patients carry this bacterium, it may not be the main cause of their illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Reliability of physiological, psychological, and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wallman, Karen E, Morton, Alan R, Goodman, Carmel et al.·Research in sports medicine (Print)·2005

Researchers tested whether measurements of fatigue, mood, thinking ability, and physical performance in ME/CFS patients were reliable when checked weekly over four weeks. Most measurements were reliable and consistent, but fatigue ratings—both mental and physical—varied too much week-to-week to be fully trusted. Interestingly, how well people performed during exercise didn't match up well with their reported depression or mood, suggesting the problem may be in how the brain processes fatigue rather than actual muscle weakness.

Pain and Sensitization

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 requiredCross-Sectional

Stress-induced changes in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gaab, Jens, Rohleder, Nicolas, Heitz, Vera et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2005

This study tested how ME/CFS patients' immune systems respond to stress compared to healthy people. Researchers gave both groups a stressful public speaking task, then exposed their blood samples to a bacterial substance to measure immune response. Unlike healthy controls whose immune response increased after stress, ME/CFS patients showed a decreased immune response, suggesting their bodies may not mobilize infection-fighting chemicals normally during stress.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The epidemiology of chronic fatigue in the Swedish Twin Registry.

Evengård, Birgitta, Jacks, Andreas, Pedersen, Nancy L et al.·Psychological medicine·2005

This Swedish study contacted over 31,000 people and found that about 2.4% had symptoms matching chronic fatigue syndrome. Women were nearly four times more likely to have these symptoms than men. The researchers were surprised to find that ME/CFS may be more common than doctors previously thought.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The prevalence of self-reported chronic fatigue in a U.S. twin registry.

Furberg, Helena, Olarte, Megan, Afari, Niloo et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2005

This study looked at how common fatigue-related illnesses are among twins in the United States and found that fatigue symptoms are quite common, affecting over one-third of people at some point in their lives. Women were 2-3 times more likely to report fatigue than men, and women typically experienced it at younger ages. People with chronic fatigue had significantly worse quality of life and more additional symptoms than those without fatigue.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

Friedberg, Fred, Leung, Debbie W, Quick, Joyce·The Journal of rheumatology·2005

This study asked people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia whether support groups helped them. Researchers found that active members valued support groups mostly for feeling understood and learning new information, though fewer felt the groups directly improved their illness. Interestingly, people who stayed active in groups reported worse symptoms than those who stopped attending, which may mean sicker people keep going or that something about the groups themselves affects outcomes.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Fowler, Tom, Duthie, Pamela, Thapar, Anita et al.·BMC family practice·2005

This study looked at how disabling fatigue in children and teens should be defined, since the current definition used for adults might not fit young people well. Researchers found that children with disabling fatigue that didn't quite meet the strict adult criteria still suffered just as much and missed just as much school as those who did meet the strict criteria. The study suggests that doctors should use a broader, less restrictive definition to catch all children who need help.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

Nijs, Jo, Van de Putte, Karen, Louckx, Fred et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2005

This study looked at whether exercise tests and questionnaires could predict which ME/CFS patients could work. Researchers tested 54 employed patients with ME/CFS and asked them about their work status and quality of life. They found that while some measures weakly related to employment, neither exercise testing nor self-reported disability measures were strong enough to reliably predict who could work.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and cortisol in both menstrual phases of women with chronic fatigue syndrome and effect of depressive mood on these hormones.

Cevik, Remzi, Gur, Ali, Acar, Suat et al.·BMC musculoskeletal disorders·2004

This study examined hormone levels in women with ME/CFS, focusing on hormones that control the menstrual cycle and stress response. Researchers found that women with ME/CFS had lower stress hormone (cortisol) levels than healthy women, while menstrual cycle hormones were normal. Depression symptoms did not change these hormone patterns.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Patterns of cardiovascular reactivity in disease diagnosis.

Naschitz, J E, Rosner, I, Rozenbaum, M et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2004

This study looked at how the heart and blood vessels respond to changes in body position (lying down versus standing up) in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people and those with other conditions. Researchers used a simple test where patients lie down and then tilt upright while measuring heart rate and blood vessel changes. They found that people with ME/CFS have a distinctive pattern of heart and blood vessel responses that could help doctors identify the condition.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Prevalence of abnormal cardiac wall motion in the cardiomyopathy associated with incomplete multiplication of Epstein-barr Virus and/or cytomegalovirus in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lerner, A Martin, Dworkin, Howard J, Sayyed, Tawfeeq et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2004

This study examined whether certain ME/CFS patients have heart problems caused by incomplete viral infections with Epstein-Barr virus or cytomegalovirus. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients with specific viral antibodies in their blood were more likely to show abnormal heart wall movement compared to control patients without ME/CFS. Some ME/CFS patients even showed heart tissue damage (cardiomyopathy) on biopsy.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence of chronic disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Farmer, Anne, Fowler, Tom, Scourfield, Jane et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2004

This study looked at how common disabling fatigue is in children and teenagers aged 8-17 years old. Researchers asked parents whether their children had ever experienced periods of extreme tiredness lasting more than a few days, and then followed up with phone interviews. They found that about 2-3% of young people experienced disabling fatigue lasting at least 3 months, while about 1% met criteria similar to adult ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: results from a randomised trial.

Huibers, Marcus J H, Bleijenberg, Gijs, van Amelsvoort, Ludovic G P M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2004

This study followed 151 tired employees on sick leave for one year to see who recovered and who returned to work. The researchers found that about 43% of people stopped having persistent fatigue, and 62% went back to work. Interestingly, getting better from fatigue and returning to work were driven by different factors—people who recovered from fatigue tended to view their condition differently psychologically, while those who returned to work tended to be younger, male, and have fewer thinking/memory problems.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Temporal relations between unexplained fatigue and depression: longitudinal data from an international study in primary care.

Skapinakis, Petros, Lewis, Glyn, Mavreas, Venetsanos·Psychosomatic medicine·2004

This study tracked over 3,000 people from primary care clinics worldwide for one year to understand the relationship between unexplained fatigue and depression. They found that people with depression were four times more likely to develop fatigue, and people with fatigue were nearly three times more likely to develop depression. The results suggest these two conditions may increase the risk of each other developing.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Subjective and objective sleepiness in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Watson, Nathaniel F, Jacobsen, Clemma, Goldberg, Jack et al.·Sleep·2004

This study compared sleepiness in identical twins where one had ME/CFS and one did not. People with ME/CFS reported feeling much more sleepy on questionnaires, but when researchers measured how quickly they fell asleep in a lab test, both groups fell asleep at similar speeds. The researchers suggest that people with ME/CFS may be confusing their chronic exhaustion with sleepiness.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Health effects of dental amalgam exposure: a retrospective cohort study.

Bates, Michael N, Fawcett, Jackie, Garrett, Nick et al.·International journal of epidemiology·2004

This study looked at whether mercury in dental fillings causes health problems like chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer's disease. Researchers tracked 20,000 New Zealand Defence Force members for about 20 years and compared how many dental fillings they received to whether they developed these illnesses. The study found no link between dental fillings and chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting that amalgam fillings are unlikely to cause ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A comparison of pregnancies that occur before and after the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Schacterle, Richard S, Komaroff, Anthony L·Archives of internal medicine·2004

This study surveyed 86 women with ME/CFS about their pregnancies before and after developing the illness. During pregnancy, about 4 in 10 women had no change in symptoms, 3 in 10 improved, and 3 in 10 worsened. The study found that pregnancy itself did not consistently make ME/CFS worse, and most pregnancy outcomes were similar whether the illness was present or not, though miscarriage rates were higher in pregnancies after ME/CFS onset.

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Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome].

Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with antibiotics: pilot study assessing the involvement of Coxiella burnetii infection.

Reliability of physiological, psychological, and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Stress-induced changes in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The epidemiology of chronic fatigue in the Swedish Twin Registry.

The prevalence of self-reported chronic fatigue in a U.S. twin registry.

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and cortisol in both menstrual phases of women with chronic fatigue syndrome and effect of depressive mood on these hormones.

Patterns of cardiovascular reactivity in disease diagnosis.

Prevalence of abnormal cardiac wall motion in the cardiomyopathy associated with incomplete multiplication of Epstein-barr Virus and/or cytomegalovirus in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prevalence of chronic disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: results from a randomised trial.

Temporal relations between unexplained fatigue and depression: longitudinal data from an international study in primary care.

Subjective and objective sleepiness in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Health effects of dental amalgam exposure: a retrospective cohort study.

A comparison of pregnancies that occur before and after the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome.

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