ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4541–4560 of 6,209 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

Assessment of Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A Patient-Driven Survey.

Holtzman, Carly S, Bhatia, Shaun, Cotler, Joseph et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

This study worked directly with ME/CFS patients to create a better way to measure post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the symptom where activity makes you feel significantly worse. Over 1,500 patients completed a survey to help researchers understand what aspects of PEM are most important to measure, including what triggers it, how quickly symptoms start, and how long they last. The study shows that involving patients in designing assessment tools leads to more thorough and meaningful measurements.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation - or should it be mast cell mediator disorders?

Theoharides, Theoharis C, Tsilioni, Irene, Ren, Huali·Expert review of clinical immunology·2019

Mast cells are immune cells in your body that release chemical messengers (mediators) in response to many different triggers—not just allergies. When these cells release too many mediators, they can cause widespread symptoms affecting multiple body systems, including the brain and nervous system. This review suggests that doctors should look for elevated levels of these chemical messengers to help diagnose and treat these conditions, rather than waiting for the traditional markers (like histamine and tryptase) that don't always show up.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Gulf War Illness: Unifying Hypothesis for a Continuing Health Problem.

Mawson, Anthony R, Croft, Ashley M·International journal of environmental research and public health·2019

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 25-32% of veterans from the 1991 Gulf War and causes chronic pain, fatigue, weakness, headaches, and thinking problems. This paper proposes that a combination of vaccinations and exposure to chemicals like an anti-nerve-agent drug (pyridostigmine bromide) may have damaged veterans' livers, causing them to release vitamin A at toxic levels into the bloodstream. This liver-based explanation could also help explain similar conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Understanding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Emerging Osteopathic Approach: A Narrative Review.

Larrimore, Christopher, Ramnot, Amanda, Jaghab, Annmarie et al.·The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·2019

This article reviews what scientists know about ME/CFS, including its symptoms, how it affects the body, and why it's hard to diagnose. The authors discuss both traditional medical approaches and osteopathic treatment (a type of hands-on therapy that focuses on the body's structure and function) as possible ways to help people with ME/CFS feel better. The review emphasizes that ME/CFS is a real, serious illness that deserves more awareness among doctors and better treatment options.

Immune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Establishment and evaluation of prediction model for multiple disease classification based on gut microbial data.

Bang, Sohyun, Yoo, DongAhn, Kim, Soo-Jin et al.·Scientific reports·2019

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze bacteria in the gut of patients with six different diseases, including ME/CFS, to see if gut bacteria patterns could help identify which disease a person has. They tested different computer learning methods and found that looking at bacteria at the genus level (a specific classification of microorganisms) worked best, and they identified certain bacterial groups that might serve as disease markers.

BiomarkersGut Microbiome

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Acute oxalate nephropathy due to high vitamin C doses and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Fijen, Lauré, Weijmer, Marcel·BMJ case reports·2019

This case report describes an elderly man with ME/CFS who developed serious kidney damage after taking high doses of vitamin C supplements. He also had a pancreatic condition that affected his ability to digest fats properly. The combination of these two factors caused harmful crystal buildup in his kidneys, leading to acute kidney failure that required dialysis treatment.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Assessing cellular energy dysfunction in CFS/ME using a commercially available laboratory test.

Tomas, Cara, Lodge, Tiffany A, Potter, Michelle et al.·Scientific reports·2019

This study tested a blood test called the Mitochondrial Energy Score (MES) that is marketed to diagnose ME/CFS by measuring how well cells produce energy. Researchers repeated the test in both ME/CFS patients and healthy people and found no difference between the two groups. They also discovered that waiting even 24 hours before processing blood samples changed the test results significantly, suggesting the test is not reliable enough to use for diagnosis.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jammes, Yves, Retornaz, Frédérique·F1000Research·2019

This study examined how muscles work differently in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that both the brain's ability to signal muscles and the muscles' ability to respond are impaired in ME/CFS patients. The muscles also appear to have trouble managing harmful molecules called free radicals, especially after exercise, and they may not be producing enough protective proteins that normally shield cells from damage.

Energy MetabolismPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Induced by Repeated Forced Swimming in Mice.

Ohba, Takuya, Domoto, Shinichi, Tanaka, Miyu et al.·Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin·2019

Researchers created a mouse model of ME/CFS by repeatedly forcing mice to swim, which produced fatigue-like behaviors similar to the human condition. They found that this stress reduced the activity of an important energy-producing enzyme called PDH in muscle cells. When they treated the mice with a drug that reactivates PDH, the fatigue-like symptoms improved, suggesting this enzyme may be a target for future ME/CFS treatments.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

'It's like being a slave to your own body in a way': a qualitative study of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Njølstad, Berit Widerøe, Mengshoel, Anne Marit, Sveen, Unni·Scandinavian journal of occupational therapy·2019

This study listened to seven teenagers with ME/CFS talk about how the illness changed their lives. Young people described feeling trapped in bodies that no longer worked the way they expected, missing out on activities with friends, and having to spend most of their time at home. However, the study also found that over time, many teens learned to accept their situation, adapted their daily activities, and rebuilt a sense of purpose and hope for the future.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-2: A Validation Study.

Bedree, Helen, Sunnquist, Madison, Jason, Leonard A·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2019

Researchers improved a questionnaire called the DSQ-2 that helps doctors identify and understand ME/CFS by asking patients about their specific symptoms. They tested this updated questionnaire with 399 people who have ME or CFS and found that it works well at measuring the main symptoms of these illnesses, including post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity), brain fog, pain, and sleep problems. The questionnaire is now a more reliable tool for both diagnosing ME/CFS and understanding how the illness affects different people.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM requiredEditorial

Medically Documenting Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Cases.

Comerford, Barbara B, Podell, Richard·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This guideline addresses how doctors can properly document ME/CFS symptoms to support disability claims, especially for children and teens. Many ME/CFS patients see doctors unfamiliar with the condition, which can lead to misdiagnosis and rejected disability applications. The guideline emphasizes that ME/CFS is a real physical illness affecting multiple body systems, not a psychological condition.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Suggested pathology of systemic exertion intolerance disease: Impairment of the E3 subunit or crossover of swinging arms of the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex decreases regeneration of cofactor dihydrolipoic acid of the E2 subunit.

Bohne, Victoria J Berdikova, Bohne, Øyvind·Medical hypotheses·2019

This paper proposes that ME/CFS might result from a problem in how the body converts fuel into energy, specifically involving a protein complex called the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. The researchers suggest that when this complex isn't working properly, it causes lactate (a byproduct of metabolism) to build up suddenly in the body, which could explain the exhaustion and post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity) that patients experience. They propose that the body isn't efficiently recycling important molecules needed for energy production, leading to low energy and fatigue.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome following immunization: macrophagic myofasciitis and animal studies support linkage to aluminum adjuvant persistency and diffusion in the immune system.

Gherardi, Romain K, Crépeaux, Guillemette, Authier, François-Jérome·Autoimmunity reviews·2019

This review examines whether ME/CFS could be triggered by aluminum-containing substances in certain vaccines. The authors present evidence that aluminum particles may persist in immune cells and travel to the brain, potentially causing the cognitive problems, muscle pain, and fatigue seen in ME/CFS. They argue this condition represents a broader category of vaccine-related adverse effects called ASIA.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels are overexpressed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Balinas, Cassandra, Cabanas, Helene, Staines, Donald et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2019

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in people with ME/CFS, focusing on special channels on their surface called TRPM2 that control calcium flow. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of these TRPM2 channels compared to healthy people, and their NK cells were less effective at fighting infections. When researchers tried two different drugs to modify these channels, the drugs reduced TRPM2 levels but did not improve the cells' ability to fight infections.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Modification of Immunological Parameters, Oxidative Stress Markers, Mood Symptoms, and Well-Being Status in CFS Patients after Probiotic Intake: Observations from a Pilot Study.

Venturini, Letizia, Bacchi, Sara, Capelli, Enrica et al.·Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity·2019

This study tested whether taking a specific combination of probiotic supplements (beneficial bacteria) could help people with ME/CFS. Researchers measured changes in immune function, inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and mood before and after patients took probiotics. The results showed improvements in well-being and reductions in inflammatory markers, though one patient experienced a temporary worsening of fatigue symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Leveraging Prior Knowledge of Endocrine Immune Regulation in the Therapeutically Relevant Phenotyping of Women With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Morris, Matthew C, Cooney, Katherine E, Sedghamiz, Hooman et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study used computer modeling to understand how hormones and immune system chemicals become unbalanced in ME/CFS. Researchers measured 17 immune markers in women with ME/CFS before, during, and after exercise, then created detailed mathematical models to predict what other hormones and chemicals might also be out of balance. The models suggested that two existing drugs (rintatolimod and rituximab) might help different subgroups of patients, depending on their specific hormone and immune profiles.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Varied Presentation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Needs for Classification and Clinician Education: A Case Series.

Martín-Martínez, Eva, Martín-Martínez, Mercedes·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study looked at three individual ME/CFS patient cases to understand why this disease presents so differently from person to person. The researchers found that patients often wait years for a correct diagnosis because many doctors don't understand ME/CFS well, leading to misdiagnosis and delays in treatment. The study suggests that organizing patient information carefully could help doctors and researchers identify different subtypes of ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not required

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Definitions, Similarities, and Differences.

Natelson, Benjamin H·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This article examines whether ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are the same illness or two different conditions. The author reviews existing research and concludes that while these conditions share some similarities, they appear to be distinct illnesses with different underlying causes. If they truly are different, it would mean doctors may eventually need different treatment approaches for each condition.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The psychological impact of dependency in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: A qualitative exploration.

Williams, Ashley Mai, Christopher, Gary, Jenkinson, Elizabeth·Journal of health psychology·2019

This study interviewed adults with ME/CFS who rely on others for daily help and explored how this dependency affects their emotional health. Researchers found that people experience several psychological challenges, including feeling like they've lost their independence and identity, struggling with invisible symptoms others don't understand, and worrying about the future. The study suggests that better education for family and friends, improved communication strategies, and accepting the condition can help improve emotional well-being.

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Evidence browser

Assessment of Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): A Patient-Driven Survey.

Recent advances in our understanding of mast cell activation - or should it be mast cell mediator disorders?

Gulf War Illness: Unifying Hypothesis for a Continuing Health Problem.

Understanding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Emerging Osteopathic Approach: A Narrative Review.

Establishment and evaluation of prediction model for multiple disease classification based on gut microbial data.

Acute oxalate nephropathy due to high vitamin C doses and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Assessing cellular energy dysfunction in CFS/ME using a commercially available laboratory test.

Understanding neuromuscular disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Induced by Repeated Forced Swimming in Mice.

'It's like being a slave to your own body in a way': a qualitative study of adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-2: A Validation Study.

Medically Documenting Disability in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Cases.

Suggested pathology of systemic exertion intolerance disease: Impairment of the E3 subunit or crossover of swinging arms of the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex decreases regeneration of cofactor dihydrolipoic acid of the E2 subunit.

Myalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome following immunization: macrophagic myofasciitis and animal studies support linkage to aluminum adjuvant persistency and diffusion in the immune system.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 2 channels are overexpressed in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Modification of Immunological Parameters, Oxidative Stress Markers, Mood Symptoms, and Well-Being Status in CFS Patients after Probiotic Intake: Observations from a Pilot Study.

Leveraging Prior Knowledge of Endocrine Immune Regulation in the Therapeutically Relevant Phenotyping of Women With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Varied Presentation of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Needs for Classification and Clinician Education: A Case Series.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Definitions, Similarities, and Differences.

The psychological impact of dependency in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: A qualitative exploration.

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