ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3121–3140 of 6,209 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses in adolescents: a population-based study.

Jones, James F, Nisenbaum, Rosane, Solomon, Laura et al.·The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine·2004

Researchers surveyed families in Kansas to see how many adolescents (ages 12-17) had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or other long-term fatigue illnesses. They found that CFS is much less common in teenagers than in adults. When both teens and their parents were carefully evaluated by doctors, none of the participating teenagers actually met the full definition of CFS, though some had prolonged fatigue from other causes.

Diagnostics

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 requiredLongitudinal

Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome-like caseness in the working population: results from the Maastricht cohort study.

Huibers, M J H, Kant, I J, Swaen, G M H et al.·Occupational and environmental medicine·2004

This study looked at how common ME/CFS-like illness is among working people in the Netherlands. Researchers followed nearly 5,500 employees over about 3 years and 8 months and found that 3.6% met the medical criteria for ME/CFS, even though only 0.36% had actually been diagnosed by a doctor. This suggests that ME/CFS may be going unrecognized and undiagnosed in many working people.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Elevated levels of some neuroactive progesterone metabolites, particularly isopregnanolone, in women with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Murphy, B E Pearson, Abbott, F V, Allison, C M et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2004

Researchers measured hormone breakdown products in the blood of women with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy women. They found that women with ME/CFS had significantly higher levels of a specific progesterone metabolite called isopregnanolone—more than twice as high as controls. This suggests that abnormal hormone metabolism may be involved in ME/CFS, and that depression alone cannot explain these chemical differences.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Predictive immunophenotypes: disease-related profile in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Stewart, Carleton C, Cookfair, Diane L, Hovey, Kathleen M et al.·Cytometry. Part B, Clinical cytometry·2003

This study compared immune system cells called natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells between people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had different patterns of these immune cells compared to healthy people, but interestingly, healthy people living in the same town as ME/CFS cases had immune cell patterns that looked more similar to ME/CFS patients. This suggests that living in an area where ME/CFS is common might affect how people's immune systems work.

Immune 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 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

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 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 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

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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Prospective study of the prognosis of unexplained chronic fatigue in a clinic-based cohort.

Schmaling, Karen B, Fiedelak, Jessica I, Katon, Wayne J et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2003

This study followed 100 patients with unexplained chronic fatigue for 18 months to see how their symptoms changed over time. Researchers found that about 1 in 5 patients no longer met criteria for chronic fatigue by the end of the study, and energy levels improved somewhat, but fatigue symptoms themselves did not decrease much. Mental health, education level, employment status, and how people thought about their symptoms were important factors in predicting whether patients would improve or get worse.

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 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

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Determination of fatty acid levels in erythrocyte membranes of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Liu, Zhandong, Wang, Dexin, Xue, Qiming et al.·Nutritional neuroscience·2003

This study looked at the levels of different types of fatty acids in the red blood cells of people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of two important fatty acids (arachidonic acid and docosahexanoic acid) but higher levels of two others (palmitic acid and oleic acid). The researchers suggested this imbalance might be caused by oxidative stress damaging these fatty acids in the body.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome versus neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome:differential attributions.

Jason, Leonard A, Holbert, Cordelia, Torres-Harding, Susan et al.·Journal of health & social policy·2003

This study looked at how doctors and nurses react differently to the name of this illness. Researchers presented the same patient case to healthcare providers but used different diagnostic labels—some were told it was "chronic fatigue syndrome," while others were told it was "chronic neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome." The results showed that the more medical-sounding name led providers to view the illness as more serious and disabling, even though it was the same patient story.

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

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 requiredObservational

Non-vascular claudication: a clinical conundrum.

Fasih, T, Pickin, M, Cuschieri, R J·International journal of clinical practice·2003

Doctors sometimes see patients complaining of leg pain that resembles poor circulation (claudication), but the pain isn't actually caused by blood vessel problems. This study looked at over 1,000 patients with suspected circulation problems and found that 33 had other causes for their symptoms, including spine problems, nerve damage, or other conditions. One patient was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The study highlights that doctors need to correctly identify the real cause of symptoms before recommending treatments.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children: a cross sectional survey.

Patel, M X, Smith, D G, Chalder, T et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2003

This study looked at 36 children with ME/CFS who were seen at a specialist clinic in England. Most children improved significantly or returned to normal health, and those who received treatment attended school more often. However, about one-third of children left school without any qualifications, showing that ME/CFS can seriously disrupt education even when health improves.

Interventions

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Chronic fatigue syndrome and other fatiguing illnesses in adolescents: a population-based study.

Alcohol use in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome-like caseness in the working population: results from the Maastricht cohort study.

Elevated levels of some neuroactive progesterone metabolites, particularly isopregnanolone, in women with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Predictive immunophenotypes: disease-related profile in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Perceived exertion in fatiguing illness: Gulf War veterans 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.

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

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

Prospective study of the prognosis of unexplained chronic fatigue in a clinic-based cohort.

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

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

Determination of fatty acid levels in erythrocyte membranes of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome versus neuroendocrineimmune dysfunction syndrome:differential attributions.

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

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

Non-vascular claudication: a clinical conundrum.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children: a cross sectional survey.

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