ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3461–3480 of 6,161 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment and its role in fatigue.

Vercoulen, J H, Bazelmans, E, Swanink, C M et al.·Journal of psychiatric research·1997

This study looked at how active people with ME/CFS actually are compared to healthy people and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers used three different methods to measure activity: questionnaires, daily logs, and a wearable device. They found that ME/CFS patients were less active than healthy people, similar to MS patients, but ME/CFS patients were more likely to avoid activities they feared would make their fatigue worse.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic debilitating fatigue in Irish general practice: a survey of general practitioners' experience.

Fitzgibbon, E J, Murphy, D, O'Shea, K et al.·The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·1997

Irish doctors were surveyed about their experience treating patients with chronic, debilitating fatigue. The study found that fatigue is common in general practice—affecting about 1 in 1,000 people—with twice as many women as men affected. However, doctors used very different approaches to treating these patients and many were unhappy with the care they could provide.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A common genetic variant affecting folate metabolism is not over-represented in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Harmon, D L, McMaster, D, McCluskey, D R et al.·Annals of clinical biochemistry·1997

This study looked at whether a specific genetic variant related to how the body processes folate (a B vitamin) is more common in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. The researchers found that this particular genetic variation was not significantly more frequent in ME/CFS patients, suggesting this specific genetic factor is unlikely to be a major cause of the condition.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Post-Lyme syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuropsychiatric similarities and differences.

Gaudino, E A, Coyle, P K, Krupp, L B·Archives of neurology·1997

This study compared people with ME/CFS and people with post-Lyme syndrome (ongoing fatigue after Lyme disease treatment) to understand how their symptoms differ. Both groups had severe fatigue and trouble thinking clearly, but people with post-Lyme syndrome showed more significant problems with memory, attention, and processing speed than people with ME/CFS. The findings suggest these two conditions may involve different types of brain function problems despite feeling similar to patients.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High frequency of autoantibodies to insoluble cellular antigens in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

von Mikecz, A, Konstantinov, K, Buchwald, D S et al.·Arthritis and rheumatism·1997

Researchers tested blood samples from 60 ME/CFS patients and found that 83% had unusual antibodies (immune proteins) attacking their own cells—specifically targeting proteins that form the structural framework inside and around cell nuclei. These antibodies were rarely seen in healthy people (only 17%), suggesting this autoimmune pattern might be unique to ME/CFS and could potentially help doctors identify the disease.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

An investigation of sympathetic hypersensitivity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sendrowski, D P, Buker, E A, Gee, S S·Optometry and vision science : official publication of the American Academy of Optometry·1997

Researchers tested whether ME/CFS patients have unusually sensitive nerves that control pupil size, similar to what is seen in fibromyalgia. They applied eye drops to 29 ME/CFS patients and 33 healthy controls and measured how much the pupils dilated. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups, suggesting that ME/CFS patients do not have this type of nerve sensitivity.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Outcomes of occupational stressors on nurses: chronic fatigue syndrome--related symptoms.

Wagner, L I, Jason, L A·NursingConnections·1997

This study looked at whether job stress in nurses is connected to ME/CFS-like symptoms. Researchers followed 202 nurses with prolonged exhaustion for one year, asking about their symptoms and work conditions. They found that specific workplace hazards—like fear of accidents and poor working environments—were linked to ME/CFS-related symptoms, though not all stressed nurses developed these symptoms.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cognitive functioning is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome devoid of psychiatric disease.

DeLuca, J, Johnson, S K, Ellis, S P et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·1997

This study tested thinking and memory skills in people with ME/CFS and found they performed worse than healthy people, even among those without depression or anxiety. The cognitive problems—like difficulty concentrating, remembering things, and processing information—appear to be a direct part of ME/CFS itself, not caused by mental health conditions. This suggests the 'brain fog' many ME/CFS patients experience is a real biological feature of the illness.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Does the chronic fatigue syndrome involve the autonomic nervous system?

Freeman, R, Komaroff, A L·The American journal of medicine·1997

This study tested whether ME/CFS patients have problems with their autonomic nervous system—the part of the nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate and blood pressure. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had abnormal heart rate and blood pressure responses during standing and tilting tests, and their nervous system wasn't regulating these responses properly. The findings suggest that either deconditioning from reduced activity, a viral infection damaging the nervous system, or both could explain why many ME/CFS patients feel dizzy or faint when standing up.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Somatomedin C (insulin-like growth factor I) levels in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bennett, A L, Mayes, D M, Fagioli, L R et al.·Journal of psychiatric research·1997

Researchers measured levels of somatomedin C (a growth-related hormone) in 49 ME/CFS patients and compared them to 30 healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of this hormone than healthy controls. This is interesting because a similar condition called fibromyalgia shows the opposite pattern—lower levels of this hormone.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lack of association of Borna disease virus and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infections with psychiatric disorders among Japanese patients.

Kubo, K, Fujiyoshi, T, Yokoyama, M M et al.·Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology·1997

Researchers tested whether two viruses—Borna disease virus (BDV) and HTLV-1—might be linked to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia and depression in Japanese patients. After testing blood samples from 346 patients with psychiatric conditions and 70 healthy people, they found almost no evidence that either virus was associated with these mental health conditions.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Magnesium deficit in a sample of the Belgian population presenting with chronic fatigue.

Moorkens, G, Manuel y Keenoy, B, Vertommen, J et al.·Magnesium research·1997

This study tested whether people with chronic fatigue have low magnesium levels. Researchers gave 97 patients a special magnesium test and found that 44 had magnesium deficiency. After magnesium supplements, their bodies retained less magnesium, suggesting the treatment may have helped. However, the researchers did not find a clear link between low magnesium and chronic fatigue syndrome itself.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Comparison of heart rate variability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and controls.

Yataco, A, Talo, H, Rowe, P et al.·Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·1997

Researchers tested whether ME/CFS patients have problems with their autonomic nervous system (the system that automatically controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital functions). They measured heart rate variability—natural variations in heart rate—in ME/CFS patients and healthy controls while lying down and standing up. They found that the heart rate patterns were similar between the two groups both at rest and when standing, suggesting that basic autonomic function may not be obviously different in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Physical and mental problems attributed to dental amalgam fillings: a descriptive study of 99 self-referred patients compared with 272 controls.

Malt, U F, Nerdrum, P, Oppedal, B et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·1997

This study looked at 99 people who believed their symptoms were caused by mercury in dental fillings and compared them to 272 control subjects without these concerns. The dental-amalgam group reported far more physical symptoms across their bodies, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. The researchers found that many in this group had mental health conditions like anxiety disorders and depression, and about one-third reported symptoms similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Sudden vs gradual onset of chronic fatigue syndrome differentiates individuals on cognitive and psychiatric measures.

DeLuca, J, Johnson, S K, Ellis, S P et al.·Journal of psychiatric research·1997

This study looked at whether the way ME/CFS starts—suddenly or gradually—affects thinking abilities and mental health. Researchers tested 36 ME/CFS patients on memory, concentration, and processing speed, and compared them to healthy controls. They found that people whose ME/CFS came on gradually were more likely to have depression or anxiety, while those with sudden onset had more severe memory problems.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Pathogenesis and management of delayed orthostatic hypotension in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

De Lorenzo, F, Hargreaves, J, Kakkar, V V·Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·1997

Some ME/CFS patients experience dizziness or fainting when standing up, a condition called orthostatic hypotension. This study tested whether salt supplements could help 22 ME/CFS patients with this symptom. After 8 weeks, salt helped 11 patients feel better, but 10 patients' symptoms returned—and those 10 had lower levels of a hormone called renin that helps regulate blood pressure.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A population-based incidence study of chronic fatigue.

Lawrie, S M, Manders, D N, Geddes, J R et al.·Psychological medicine·1997

This study looked at how many people develop chronic fatigue in the general population (rather than just in doctor's offices), and what factors might increase the risk. Researchers found that people who were already somewhat fatigued before the study began were more likely to develop chronic fatigue later on. Interestingly, emotional difficulties and psychiatric conditions appeared less common in ME/CFS patients when researchers carefully adjusted for fatigue itself.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Patterns of utilization of medical care and perceptions of the relationship between doctor and patient with chronic illness including chronic fatigue syndrome.

Twemlow, S W, Bradshaw, S L, Coyne, L et al.·Psychological reports·1997

This study surveyed 609 people with ME/CFS to understand how their relationships with doctors differ from those of other patients with medical conditions. People with ME/CFS reported missing about 65 days of work per year due to illness, experienced more side effects from medical treatments, spent more money on healthcare, and visited more specialists than patients with typical medical conditions. The researchers found that doctors may need to pay more attention to how ME/CFS patients perceive their illness and their doctor-patient relationship, as these beliefs can affect how well treatments work.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The natural history of concurrent sick building syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chester, A C, Levine, P H·Journal of psychiatric research·1997

This study followed 23 people who developed fatigue and other symptoms during an outbreak linked to a problem building environment. Four years later, about two-thirds of the group had improved significantly or felt much better, while about one-third remained quite ill and unable to work. People who improved tended to also see their respiratory symptoms, sore throats, and headaches get better over time.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Markers of inflammation and immune activation in chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Buchwald, D, Wener, M H, Pearlman, T et al.·The Journal of rheumatology·1997

Researchers tested blood samples from 153 patients with severe fatigue to see if certain immune markers were elevated, thinking that an overactive immune system might cause ME/CFS. They found that three markers (C-reactive protein, beta 2-microglobulin, and neopterin) were higher in fatigued patients compared to healthy controls, but these markers couldn't reliably distinguish between ME/CFS and other types of chronic fatigue. The results suggest that some patients have signs of immune activation, but it's unclear whether this is a temporary response to infection or part of the ongoing illness.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome: assessment and its role in fatigue.

Chronic debilitating fatigue in Irish general practice: a survey of general practitioners' experience.

A common genetic variant affecting folate metabolism is not over-represented in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Post-Lyme syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Neuropsychiatric similarities and differences.

High frequency of autoantibodies to insoluble cellular antigens in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

An investigation of sympathetic hypersensitivity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Outcomes of occupational stressors on nurses: chronic fatigue syndrome--related symptoms.

Cognitive functioning is impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome devoid of psychiatric disease.

Does the chronic fatigue syndrome involve the autonomic nervous system?

Somatomedin C (insulin-like growth factor I) levels in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lack of association of Borna disease virus and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infections with psychiatric disorders among Japanese patients.

Magnesium deficit in a sample of the Belgian population presenting with chronic fatigue.

Comparison of heart rate variability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and controls.

Physical and mental problems attributed to dental amalgam fillings: a descriptive study of 99 self-referred patients compared with 272 controls.

Sudden vs gradual onset of chronic fatigue syndrome differentiates individuals on cognitive and psychiatric measures.

Pathogenesis and management of delayed orthostatic hypotension in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

A population-based incidence study of chronic fatigue.

Patterns of utilization of medical care and perceptions of the relationship between doctor and patient with chronic illness including chronic fatigue syndrome.

The natural history of concurrent sick building syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Markers of inflammation and immune activation in chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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