ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3701–3720 of 6,161 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome in Minnesota.

Peterson, P K, Schenck, C H, Sherman, R·Minnesota medicine·1991

This study looked at 135 people in Minnesota with ME/CFS to understand who gets the disease and how it develops. Most patients reported that their illness started suddenly with what looked like an infection, and fatigue was their worst symptom. When researchers checked in with some patients a year later, none had fully recovered, though about 40% felt somewhat better.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome: clinical condition associated with immune activation.

Landay, A L, Jessop, C, Lennette, E T et al.·Lancet (London, England)·1991

Researchers used specialized tests to examine immune cells from 147 people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy people. They found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of certain immune cells (CD8 suppressor cells) and higher levels of immune activation markers on other immune cells. These differences were not seen in healthy people, contacts of patients, or people with other illnesses, suggesting that immune system activation may be involved in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Biopsychosocial aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

Yeomans, J D, Conway, S P·The Journal of infection·1991

This study looked at 15 people with chronic fatigue referred by their doctors. Researchers found that while most patients reported feeling emotionally distressed, only a few actually had a diagnosed depression disorder. Many patients struggled with work and daily activities. Tests for infections, blood abnormalities, and immune problems came back normal, suggesting ME/CFS is not simply caused by one medical problem.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

No association of HLA class II antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Middleton, D, Savage, D A, Smith, D G·Disease markers·1991

This study examined whether certain immune system markers called HLA class II antigens were associated with ME/CFS. Researchers compared these markers in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. The study found no link between these particular immune markers and ME/CFS, suggesting that HLA class II antigens are not a defining feature of the condition.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Primary fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wysenbeek, A J, Shapira, Y, Leibovici, L·Rheumatology international·1991

This study looked at 33 people with fibromyalgia to see how many also had ME/CFS. While most reported significant fatigue, only about one in five people met the full criteria for ME/CFS. The researchers found that symptoms like swollen lymph nodes and fever were rare in fibromyalgia patients but might be more common in ME/CFS, suggesting these could help doctors tell the two conditions apart.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome: I. Epstein-Barr virus immune response and molecular epidemiology.

Jones, J F, Streib, J, Baker, S et al.·Journal of medical virology·1991

This study looked at how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people who have been infected with EBV. Researchers found that immune cells from ME/CFS patients were much more likely to grow uncontrollably in the lab (30% vs 8%), and patients showed more signs of active viral infection in their blood. These findings suggest that some ME/CFS patients may have difficulty controlling EBV reactivation.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

A comprehensive immunological analysis in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gupta, S, Vayuvegula, B·Scandinavian journal of immunology·1991

Researchers compared immune system cells and antibodies in 20 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy people to see if there were differences. They found that ME/CFS patients had fewer natural killer cells (immune cells that fight infections), some changes in how their immune cells communicate with each other, and weaker responses to certain types of immune challenges. These findings suggest the immune system works differently in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

General practitioners' experience of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ho-Yen, D O, McNamara, I·The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·1991

Researchers surveyed doctors in Scotland to understand how common ME/CFS is and how they view the condition. Most doctors (71%) believed ME/CFS is real, though some were uncertain. The study found about 1-2 people per 1,000 patients have ME/CFS, with more women affected than men, and it particularly affects people in their 30s and 40s.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Immune responsiveness in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Milton, J D, Clements, G B, Edwards, R H·Postgraduate medical journal·1991

This 1991 study tested whether ME/CFS was caused by a persistent viral infection or a weakened immune response to viruses. Researchers compared immune markers and virus-fighting abilities in ME/CFS patients, healthy controls, and people with muscular dystrophy. They found no significant differences between groups, suggesting that standard viral infection or immune dysfunction wasn't the primary cause of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A comparative psychiatric assessment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle disease.

Wood, G C, Bentall, R P, Göpfert, M et al.·Psychological medicine·1991

This study compared the mental health of 34 patients with ME/CFS to 24 patients with muscle disease. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS were more likely to have psychiatric conditions like depression or anxiety—about 41% had clear psychiatric diagnoses and another 27% had partial ones. In contrast, only about 17% of muscle disease patients had psychiatric conditions. This suggests ME/CFS patients face a higher risk of developing psychiatric issues, though the study doesn't explain why.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Frequent double infection with Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus-6 in patients with acute infectious mononucleosis.

Bertram, G, Dreiner, N, Krueger, G R et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·1991

This study looked at 215 patients with infectious mononucleosis to see which viruses were causing their illness. Researchers found that most patients had Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), but many also had human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) at the same time. About 40% of patients had active infection with both viruses, and some had a third virus (CMV) as well. Patients were followed for two years to track changes in their virus levels.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Klimas, N G, Salvato, F R, Morgan, R et al.·Journal of clinical microbiology·1990

This study examined immune system markers in 30 ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. Researchers found that patients had multiple immune system abnormalities, with the most consistent problem being that natural killer cells—white blood cells that fight infections and cancer—were not working properly, even though patients had more of these cells than normal. Patients also showed reduced responses to immune stimulation and changes in other types of immune cells.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The psychiatric status of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hickie, I, Lloyd, A, Wakefield, D et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·1990

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have higher rates of depression and other mental health conditions than the general population. Researchers found that while some patients developed depression after getting ME/CFS, their rates of pre-existing mental illness were similar to everyone else. The study suggests that depression in ME/CFS patients is likely a response to having the illness, not a cause of it.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in an Australian population.

Lloyd, A R, Hickie, I, Boughton, C R et al.·The Medical journal of Australia·1990

This Australian study estimated how common ME/CFS is in the community by looking for cases in a town of 114,000 people. Researchers found about 37 cases per 100,000 people, mostly affecting young adults of both sexes. The illness caused serious problems for patients, with nearly half unable to work or attend school.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Asthenic symptoms in a rural family practice. Epidemiologic characteristics and a proposed classification.

Shahar, E, Lederer, J·The Journal of family practice·1990

This study looked at fatigue and weakness complaints in a rural doctor's office over 10 years. Researchers found that about 1 in 3 patients reported these symptoms at some point, with more women affected than men. Most cases improved on their own, and doctors often couldn't identify a specific cause.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Aerobic work capacity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Riley, M S, O'Brien, C J, McCluskey, D R et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·1990

This study tested how much physical activity patients with ME/CFS could manage on a treadmill and compared them to healthy people and those with irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients got tired much faster, had higher heart rates during exercise, and felt like they were working much harder than the other groups—even though they weren't doing as much activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

High frequency of fibromyalgia in patients with chronic fatigue seen in a primary care practice.

Goldenberg, D L, Simms, R W, Geiger, A et al.·Arthritis and rheumatism·1990

This study looked at whether people with chronic fatigue also have fibromyalgia, a condition involving widespread muscle pain and tender points. Researchers examined 27 patients with debilitating fatigue lasting at least 6 months and found that 70% of them had the widespread pain and tender points typical of fibromyalgia. This suggests that many people with chronic fatigue may also have fibromyalgia.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attributions and self-esteem in depression and chronic fatigue syndromes.

Powell, R, Dolan, R, Wessely, S·Journal of psychosomatic research·1990

This study compared how people with ME/CFS and depression think about their illness compared to people with depression alone. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to blame external factors (like viruses or stress) for their symptoms, while people with depression alone tend to blame themselves. Interestingly, this outward-focused thinking may protect ME/CFS patients from some depression-related thought patterns, but may make them more vulnerable to physical symptoms like fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Epstein-Barr antibody titer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Powell, M A·Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners·1990

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have higher levels of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (a common virus that causes mononucleosis) compared to healthy people. Researchers measured these antibody levels in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome to see if there was a connection between past or ongoing EBV infection and the development of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Tired, weak, or in need of rest: fatigue among general practice attenders.

David, A, Pelosi, A, McDonald, E et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·1990

This study asked over 600 people visiting their doctor about fatigue and what they thought caused it. About 1 in 10 people reported severe fatigue lasting a month or longer. People blamed fatigue on different causes—some physical (like infections), some psychological or social (like stress or family responsibilities)—and the study found that fatigue itself looked similar whether it lasted a short time or persisted longer.

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Evidence browser

Chronic fatigue syndrome in Minnesota.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: clinical condition associated with immune activation.

Biopsychosocial aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis).

No association of HLA class II antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Primary fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: I. Epstein-Barr virus immune response and molecular epidemiology.

A comprehensive immunological analysis in chronic fatigue syndrome.

General practitioners' experience of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immune responsiveness in chronic fatigue syndrome.

A comparative psychiatric assessment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle disease.

Frequent double infection with Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus-6 in patients with acute infectious mononucleosis.

Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The psychiatric status of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in an Australian population.

Asthenic symptoms in a rural family practice. Epidemiologic characteristics and a proposed classification.

Aerobic work capacity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

High frequency of fibromyalgia in patients with chronic fatigue seen in a primary care practice.

Attributions and self-esteem in depression and chronic fatigue syndromes.

Epstein-Barr antibody titer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tired, weak, or in need of rest: fatigue among general practice attenders.

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