ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3101–3120 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Disability evaluation in chronic fatigue syndrome: associations between exercise capacity and activity limitations/participation restrictions.

Nijs, J, De Meirleir, K, Wolfs, S et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2004

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients with lower exercise capacity also have more difficulty with daily activities. Researchers tested 77 patients on an exercise bike and asked them to report how limited they were in everyday life. They found a modest connection between poor exercise performance and activity limitations, but the link was not strong enough to predict disability from exercise tests alone.

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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Alcohol use in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Woolley, James, Allen, Roz, Wessely, Simon·Journal of psychosomatic research·2004

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS relate to alcohol. Researchers surveyed 114 patients and found that about two-thirds reduced or stopped drinking alcohol after getting ME/CFS. The main reasons were that alcohol made their tiredness worse (67%), caused more nausea (33%), made hangovers worse (23%), and disturbed sleep (24%). Most people made this decision based on their own experience rather than medical advice.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Narita, Masaaki, Nishigami, Naoko, Narita, Naoko et al.·Biochemical and biophysical research communications·2003

This study looked at a specific gene that controls serotonin, a chemical messenger in the brain. Researchers compared the genetic versions of this gene in 78 ME/CFS patients and healthy controls. They found that ME/CFS patients were more likely to have a genetic variant that may reduce how much serotonin stays active in the brain, which could make people more vulnerable to developing ME/CFS.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A measure of heart rate variability is sensitive to orthostatic challenge in women with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yamamoto, Yoshiharu, LaManca, John J, Natelson, Benjamin H·Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)·2003

This study tested whether a simple heart rhythm measurement during a tilt test could help diagnose ME/CFS. Researchers compared heart rate patterns in 24 women with ME/CFS and 22 healthy women while they lay down and then tilted upright for 10 minutes. They found that women with ME/CFS showed a distinctive abnormal change in their heart rhythm pattern during tilting that could identify about 9 out of 10 ME/CFS patients correctly.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Diagnostic evaluation of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activities and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus and Coxiella burnetii in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan.

Ikuta, Kazufumi, Yamada, Takeshi, Shimomura, Tokio et al.·Microbes and infection·2003

This study tested whether certain viral infections and immune system markers are linked to ME/CFS. Researchers measured a protein called 2-5AS in blood cells from ME/CFS patients in Japan and compared it to healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of this immune marker than healthy controls, and some patients showed signs of past infections with Epstein-Barr virus or another bacteria.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Childhood experiences of illness and parenting in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fisher, Linda, Chalder, Trudie·Journal of psychosomatic research·2003

This study looked at whether childhood experiences—particularly how parents cared for them and how they handled illness—might influence whether someone develops ME/CFS as an adult. Researchers compared 30 people with ME/CFS to 30 people with broken bones (as a comparison group) by asking them about their childhood. They found that having an overprotective mother or a mother with depression was more common in the ME/CFS group, suggesting these factors might increase the risk of developing the condition.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue and organophosphate pesticides in sheep farming: a retrospective study amongst people reporting to a UK pharmacovigilance scheme.

Tahmaz, N, Soutar, A, Cherrie, J W·The Annals of occupational hygiene·2003

This study looked at sheep farmers in the UK who reported health problems they believed were caused by pesticides used in sheep dipping. Researchers wanted to know if repeated exposure to these pesticides was linked to chronic fatigue. They found that fatigue was very common among farmers who thought pesticides affected their health, and there was some association between higher pesticide exposure and higher fatigue scores, though the evidence was limited.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

A population-based study of the clinical course of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nisenbaum, Rosane, Jones, James F, Unger, Elizabeth R et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2003

This study followed 65 people with ME/CFS for up to 3 years to understand how the illness changes over time. Most people experienced periods where symptoms improved (called remission), though only 10% had complete and lasting improvement. The study found that people who had been sick for 2 years or less were more likely to recover, and that sleep problems remained a major issue even when other symptoms improved.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Self-management training for people with chronic disease: an exploratory study.

Wright, C C, Barlow, J H, Turner, A P et al.·British journal of health psychology·2003

This study tested whether a self-management training course designed for people with various chronic diseases—including ME/CFS—could help them feel better. The course, taught by community volunteers, focused on practical skills like managing symptoms using mental strategies and talking with doctors. After four months, participants reported less fatigue, better mood, and more confidence in managing their illness.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional status, neuropsychological functioning, and mood in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relationship to psychiatric disorder.

Tiersky, Lana A, Matheis, Robert J, Deluca, John et al.·The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2003

This study looked at how depression and anxiety affect people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared four groups: people with ME/CFS alone, people with ME/CFS plus mental health symptoms that started after CFS, people with ME/CFS plus mental health symptoms that started before CFS, and healthy controls. The main finding was that while mental health problems don't make the physical fatigue and weakness worse, they do make people feel more emotionally distressed—especially if those mental health issues came before the CFS diagnosis.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome and self reported myalgic encephalomyelitis in 5-15 year olds: cross sectional study.

Chalder, T, Goodman, R, Wessely, S et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2003

This study looked at how common ME/CFS is in children aged 5-15 years old in the United Kingdom. Researchers surveyed thousands of families to find out how many children experienced long-lasting tiredness and muscle pain similar to ME/CFS. The findings help doctors understand how widespread this condition is in young people.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Unexplained fatigue syndromes in a multinational primary care sample: specificity of definition and prevalence and distinctiveness from depression and generalized anxiety.

Skapinakis, Petros, Lewis, Glyn, Mavreas, Venetsanos·The American journal of psychiatry·2003

This study looked at how different definitions of unexplained fatigue affect how many people are diagnosed and whether they also have depression or anxiety. Researchers interviewed over 5,400 primary care patients from 14 countries and found that when they required more physical symptoms in addition to fatigue, fewer people were diagnosed, but those diagnosed were more likely to also have depression or anxiety.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The head-up tilt test with haemodynamic instability score in diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome.

Naschitz, J E, Rosner, I, Rozenbaum, M et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2003

Researchers developed a simple test using a tilting table to measure how well the body controls blood pressure and heart rate in ME/CFS patients. By tilting people upright and measuring these vital signs, they found a pattern (called a haemodynamic instability score) that appeared in ME/CFS patients but not in healthy people or those with other conditions. This test could help doctors confirm an ME/CFS diagnosis with objective measurements rather than relying only on symptoms.

Autonomic Nervous SystemDiagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Normal production of inflammatory cytokines in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes determined by intracellular cytokine staining in short-term cultured blood mononuclear cells.

Amel Kashipaz, M R, Swinden, D, Todd, I et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2003

Researchers tested whether immune system cells from ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients produce abnormal levels of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. Using advanced microscopy techniques to examine individual immune cells, they found that cytokine production was normal in patients compared to healthy controls. This suggests that abnormal cytokine production may not be the main cause of these conditions.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Psychiatric adjustment in chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Rangel, L, Garralda, M E, Hall, A et al.·Psychological medicine·2003

This study compared psychiatric and emotional problems in children with ME/CFS versus children with juvenile arthritis, another serious chronic illness. Children with ME/CFS had significantly more depression, anxiety, and personality difficulties than the arthritis group, even though both groups faced similar challenges from living with chronic illness. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve specific factors that increase psychiatric risk beyond what chronic illness alone would explain.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

RNase L levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: 37-kilodalton/83-kilodalton isoform ratio is a potential test for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tiev, Kiet Phong, Demettre, Edith, Ercolano, Philippe et al.·Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology·2003

This study looked at a protein called RNase L in the immune cells of ME/CFS patients and healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had a different pattern of RNase L forms compared to healthy volunteers, and this pattern could potentially be used as a simple blood test to help diagnose ME/CFS. The test showed promise in distinguishing ME/CFS patients from healthy people in this small group.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional status of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Wichita, Kansas, population.

Solomon, Laura, Nisenbaum, Rosane, Reyes, Michele et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2003

This study surveyed people in Wichita, Kansas to understand how ME/CFS affects daily life and work. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS were just as impaired in their ability to work and do activities as people whose fatigue came from other medical or psychiatric conditions, and all of them had much less energy than people without fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Perceived exertion in fatiguing illness: Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cook, Dane B, Nagelkirk, Paul R, Peckerman, Arnold et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2003

This study compared how hard exercise felt to Gulf War veterans with ME/CFS versus healthy Gulf War veterans. Researchers had both groups exercise on stationary bikes while measuring their effort ratings. People with ME/CFS reported that the same amount of exercise felt much harder than it did for healthy veterans, even though they had similar physical fitness levels.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Perceived exertion in fatiguing illness: civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cook, Dane B, Nagelkirk, Paul R, Peckerman, Arnold et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2003

This study looked at how hard exercise feels to people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers had both groups exercise on a treadmill and rate their effort. While people with ME/CFS said exercise felt harder at moderate intensities, when researchers compared effort levels to each person's maximum oxygen capacity, there was no real difference—suggesting the difference in how hard it felt might be explained by their lower fitness level rather than a problem with how their body perceives effort.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Disability evaluation in chronic fatigue syndrome: associations between exercise capacity and activity limitations/participation restrictions.

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.

Alcohol use in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Association between serotonin transporter gene polymorphism and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A measure of heart rate variability is sensitive to orthostatic challenge in women with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Diagnostic evaluation of 2', 5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activities and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus and Coxiella burnetii in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in Japan.

Childhood experiences of illness and parenting in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue and organophosphate pesticides in sheep farming: a retrospective study amongst people reporting to a UK pharmacovigilance scheme.

A population-based study of the clinical course of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Self-management training for people with chronic disease: an exploratory study.

Functional status, neuropsychological functioning, and mood in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relationship to psychiatric disorder.

Epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome and self reported myalgic encephalomyelitis in 5-15 year olds: cross sectional study.

Unexplained fatigue syndromes in a multinational primary care sample: specificity of definition and prevalence and distinctiveness from depression and generalized anxiety.

The head-up tilt test with haemodynamic instability score in diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome.

Normal production of inflammatory cytokines in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes determined by intracellular cytokine staining in short-term cultured blood mononuclear cells.

Psychiatric adjustment in chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood and in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

RNase L levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells: 37-kilodalton/83-kilodalton isoform ratio is a potential test for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Functional status of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome in the Wichita, Kansas, population.

Perceived exertion in fatiguing illness: Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Perceived exertion in fatiguing illness: civilians with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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