ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4101–4120 of 6,209 studies

The fragile process of Homecoming - Young women in recovery from severe ME/CFS.

Krabbe, Silje Helen, Groven, Karen Synne, Schrøder Bjorbækmo, Wenche et al.·International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being·2023

This study followed 13 young women who recovered from severe ME/CFS that started during childhood or adolescence. Through in-depth interviews, researchers explored what helped them get better. The women described recovery as a slow, bumpy process that involved learning how their bodies worked and gradually gaining confidence, rather than a straight path to wellness.

E3 PreliminaryPEM required

Case report: Rapid improvements of anorexia nervosa and probable myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome upon metreleptin treatment during two dosing episodes.

Hebebrand, Johannes, Antel, Jochen, von Piechowski, Linda et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2023

This case report describes a 17-year-old boy who had both anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder) and probable ME/CFS (a condition causing extreme fatigue and pain after exertion). He was treated with a medication called metreleptin for short periods. Notably, the treatment appeared to improve not only his eating disorder symptoms but also his ME/CFS symptoms like fatigue and post-exertional muscle pain. This raises the possibility that metreleptin might help people with ME/CFS, especially those who have also lost significant weight.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

A review of cytokine-based pathophysiology of Long COVID symptoms.

Low, Russell N, Low, Ryan J, Akrami, Athena·Frontiers in medicine·2023

This review examines how Long COVID may develop through a chain reaction of immune system problems. When the virus infects the body, it can trigger ongoing inflammation that affects both the immune system and the brain, potentially causing blood clots in small vessels. This combination may explain symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and pain that Long COVID and ME/CFS patients experience.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

Achleitner, Martin, Steenblock, Charlotte, Dänhardt, Juliane et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2023

Researchers tested a treatment called therapeutic apheresis (a blood-cleaning procedure) in Long-COVID patients and found that those who improved had significant reductions in harmful immune molecules, fatty substances, and inflammatory markers in their blood. The study also showed that a blood protein called fibrinogen dropped by 70% after treatment, and abnormal blood clumping patterns disappeared. This suggests the treatment may work by removing specific harmful substances from the blood.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Association of multiple sclerosis with chronic fatigue syndrome, restless legs syndrome, and various sleep disorders, along with the recent updates.

Prajjwal, Priyadarshi, Kalluru, Pavan K R, Marsool, Mohammed Dheyaa et al.·Annals of medicine and surgery (2012)·2023

This review examines how multiple sclerosis (MS) and ME/CFS are similar, particularly in how they cause fatigue and affect sleep. Both conditions involve damage to similar brain regions and may share genetic risk factors. The authors discuss how treatments like supervised exercise can help manage fatigue in both illnesses, though the underlying causes differ.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Accelerating discovery: A novel flow cytometric method for detecting fibrin(ogen) amyloid microclots using long COVID as a model.

Turner, Simone, Laubscher, Gert Jacobus, Khan, M Asad et al.·Heliyon·2023

Long COVID patients often have abnormal blood clotting that creates tiny, sticky clots resistant to the body's natural clot-dissolving processes. This study developed a faster, more reliable laboratory test using imaging flow cytometry to detect these microclots in blood samples. The new method successfully identified larger and more numerous microclots in Long COVID patients compared to healthy controls, and it could potentially be used in regular hospital labs to help diagnose and treat affected patients.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

First insights into multidisciplinary and multispecialty long COVID networks-a SWOT analysis from the perspective of ambulatory health care professionals.

Stengel, Sandra, Gölz, Lea, Kolb, Joachim et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2023

This study looked at how two regional networks in Germany organized care for long COVID patients by having different doctors and therapists work together. Researchers interviewed healthcare professionals from these networks to understand what worked well, what was difficult, and what could be improved. Both networks focused on primary care doctors coordinating care with specialists, though they took slightly different approaches—one emphasized treating individual patients in clinics, while the other connected hospitals and community services across a wider region.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

A case of post-COVID-19 myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome characterized by post-exertional malaise and low serum acylcarnitine level.

Jinushi, Ryuhei, Nishiguchi, Sho, Masuda, Sakue et al.·Clinical case reports·2023

This study describes a patient who developed ME/CFS after recovering from COVID-19. The researchers found that this patient had lower-than-normal levels of acylcarnitine, a substance the body uses to produce energy. The study reviews existing research on how COVID-19 can lead to ME/CFS, a condition that causes severe fatigue and symptoms that worsen after physical activity.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Using Communities of Practice Theory to Understand the Crisis of Identity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Murray, Rebecca, Turner, Lynda·Chronic illness·2023

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects how people see themselves and their identity. Researchers created a private Facebook group with 22 people who have ME/CFS and asked them to share their experiences. They found that supportive communities—whether online or with understanding people—help patients develop a stronger sense of self that isn't defined solely by illness or shame.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Bodies in lockdown: Young women's narratives of falling severely ill with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence.

Krabbe, Silje Helen, Mengshoel, Anne Marit, Schrøder Bjorbækmo, Wenche et al.·Health care for women international·2023

This study listened to the stories of 13 young women who became severely ill with ME/CFS during their childhood or teenage years. The researchers found that these women experienced a gradual loss of their normal, active lives, felt increasingly isolated and abandoned by others, and struggled with uncertainty about their future. The study highlights how challenging and life-altering this illness can be during crucial developmental years.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are indistinguishable by their cerebrospinal fluid proteomes.

Schutzer, Steven E, Liu, Tao, Tsai, Chia-Feng et al.·Annals of medicine·2023

Researchers examined the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord in people with ME/CFS—some of whom also had fibromyalgia and some who did not. Using advanced technology to measure thousands of proteins in this fluid, they found no significant differences between the two groups. This suggests that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia may not be completely separate diseases, but rather may overlap or be related conditions.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Detection of Elevated Level of Tetrahydrobiopterin in Serum Samples of ME/CFS Patients with Orthostatic Intolerance: A Pilot Study.

Gottschalk, Carl Gunnar, Whelan, Ryan, Peterson, Daniel et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study looked at a molecule called BH4 in the blood of ME/CFS patients, particularly those who experience dizziness when standing up. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients have higher levels of BH4 than healthy people, and this may be connected to oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions in the body). This finding could help explain why some ME/CFS patients struggle with dizziness and blood flow problems.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

[Post-COVID Rehabilitation].

Küst, Jutta, Disko, Andreas, Calendo, Luigi Riccardo et al.·Praxis·2023

This guideline explains how to help people recover from post-COVID illness, which can cause lasting fatigue and memory problems that make it hard to work or manage daily life. Since there is no cure yet, treatment focuses on rehabilitation that is tailored to each patient's symptoms and goals, with special attention to gradually rebuilding activity while watching for post-exertional malaise—a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental effort. The approach involves multiple healthcare professionals working together to adjust the workload based on how the patient is doing over time.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Bayesian Statistics Improves Biological Interpretability of Metabolomics Data from Human Cohorts.

Brydges, Christopher, Che, Xiaoyu, Lipkin, Walter Ian et al.·Metabolites·2023

This study compared blood chemistry samples from three different groups of ME/CFS patients and healthy people to find differences in metabolites—small molecules in the blood. Instead of using the traditional statistical method, researchers used a newer approach called Bayesian statistics that allows them to combine results from multiple studies to find patterns that traditional methods missed. They discovered several important differences in blood metabolites between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, including abnormal fat molecules and reduced levels of prostaglandin F2alpha.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Broadband Electrical Spectroscopy to Distinguish Single-Cell Ca2+ Changes Due to Ionomycin Treatment in a Skeletal Muscle Cell Line.

Ferguson, Caroline A, Santangelo, Carmen, Marramiero, Lorenzo et al.·Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

Researchers used a specialized technology to measure electrical changes in muscle cells when calcium levels increased abnormally. They found that calcium buildup—a problem seen in ME/CFS and other muscle diseases—creates detectable electrical differences that can be measured. This new method may eventually help doctors identify calcium problems in patient cells more easily.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Contesting misrecognition online: Experiences of epistemic in/justice by vloggers with contested illnesses.

Groenevelt, I P Irene, de Boer, M L Marjolein·Social science & medicine (1982)·2023

This study looked at how seven Dutch women with ME/CFS and other contested illnesses used video blogs (vlogs) to share their experiences online. The researchers found that these women felt their knowledge and experiences were often discredited because of prejudice against their illnesses—a problem called "epistemic injustice." While vlogging helped some women feel more empowered to share their true experiences, they still faced challenges from YouTube's design and social pressure to soften their messages.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Investigating Antibody Reactivity to the Intestinal Microbiome in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Feasibility Study.

Seton, Katharine A, Defernez, Marianne, Telatin, Andrea et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This study explored whether ME/CFS might be caused by a leaky gut that allows bacteria to escape into the bloodstream, triggering an abnormal immune response. Researchers compared antibody levels and immune reactions to gut bacteria in severely ill ME/CFS patients and healthy household members. They found that ME/CFS patients showed reduced immune responses to their gut bacteria, which was unexpected and suggests the immune system may not be working properly in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredPreprintPreprint

A Mixed Methods System for the Assessment of Post Exertional Malaise in Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stussman, Barbara, Calco, Brice, Norato, Gina et al.·medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2023

This study looked at how to better measure post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the symptom flare-up that happens after activity in ME/CFS patients. Researchers asked 10 ME/CFS patients and 9 healthy people to do an exercise test, then tracked their symptoms over 72 hours using both rating scales and detailed interviews. They found that combining interviews with rating scales captured PEM patterns much better than rating scales alone, especially because rating scales sometimes hit their limits and couldn't show the full picture of symptom changes.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Life changing response to successive surgical interventions on cranial venous outflow: A case report on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Higgins, J Nicholas P, Axon, Patrick R, Lever, Andrew M L·Frontiers in neurology·2023

This case report describes one patient with ME/CFS who had narrowing in the veins that drain blood from the brain. Surgery to open one of these narrowed veins led to significant improvement in fatigue and other symptoms over the follow-up period. The authors suggest that blocked brain venous drainage might explain ME/CFS symptoms in some patients, similar to a related condition called intracranial hypertension.

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Adolescents: Practical Guidance and Management Challenges.

Rowe, Katherine·Adolescent health, medicine and therapeutics·2023

ME/CFS is a serious illness causing extreme tiredness that doesn't improve with rest, along with worsening after activity, brain fog, poor sleep, and sometimes dizziness and pain. This paper reviews what we know about treating ME/CFS in teenagers and young people, finding that currently there are no proven cure treatments, but symptom management and lifestyle adjustments help most. The study emphasizes that staying connected to school and having supportive doctors who listen made the biggest difference in how well young people managed their illness over time.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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The fragile process of Homecoming - Young women in recovery from severe ME/CFS.

Case report: Rapid improvements of anorexia nervosa and probable myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome upon metreleptin treatment during two dosing episodes.

A review of cytokine-based pathophysiology of Long COVID symptoms.

Clinical improvement of Long-COVID is associated with reduction in autoantibodies, lipids, and inflammation following therapeutic apheresis.

Association of multiple sclerosis with chronic fatigue syndrome, restless legs syndrome, and various sleep disorders, along with the recent updates.

Accelerating discovery: A novel flow cytometric method for detecting fibrin(ogen) amyloid microclots using long COVID as a model.

First insights into multidisciplinary and multispecialty long COVID networks-a SWOT analysis from the perspective of ambulatory health care professionals.

A case of post-COVID-19 myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome characterized by post-exertional malaise and low serum acylcarnitine level.

Using Communities of Practice Theory to Understand the Crisis of Identity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Bodies in lockdown: Young women's narratives of falling severely ill with ME/CFS during childhood and adolescence.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are indistinguishable by their cerebrospinal fluid proteomes.

Detection of Elevated Level of Tetrahydrobiopterin in Serum Samples of ME/CFS Patients with Orthostatic Intolerance: A Pilot Study.

[Post-COVID Rehabilitation].

Bayesian Statistics Improves Biological Interpretability of Metabolomics Data from Human Cohorts.

Broadband Electrical Spectroscopy to Distinguish Single-Cell Ca2+ Changes Due to Ionomycin Treatment in a Skeletal Muscle Cell Line.

Contesting misrecognition online: Experiences of epistemic in/justice by vloggers with contested illnesses.

Investigating Antibody Reactivity to the Intestinal Microbiome in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Feasibility Study.

A Mixed Methods System for the Assessment of Post Exertional Malaise in Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Life changing response to successive surgical interventions on cranial venous outflow: A case report on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Adolescents: Practical Guidance and Management Challenges.

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