ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5221–5240 of 6,164 studies

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Identification of significant genes in genomics using Bayesian variable selection methods.

Lin, Eugene, Huang, Lung-Cheng·Advances and applications in bioinformatics and chemistry : AABC·2008

Researchers developed a new mathematical method to find which genes are most important in ME/CFS by sorting through large amounts of genetic data. Instead of looking at every gene equally, this approach helps identify a smaller group of genes that appear to have the strongest connection to the disease. This method could help scientists focus their research on the most promising genetic leads.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale among youth in Japan.

Tanaka, Masaaki, Fukuda, Sanae, Mizuno, Kei et al.·Psychological reports·2008

This study tested whether a fatigue measurement tool called the Chalder Fatigue Scale works well in Japanese. Researchers gave the scale to healthy schoolchildren and young people with childhood chronic fatigue syndrome to see if it could reliably measure how tired they were. The tool performed reasonably well and was able to tell the difference between healthy children and those with severe fatigue.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Gene profiling of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Kerr, Jonathan R·Current rheumatology reports·2008

Researchers used gene testing to look at which genes are turned on or off differently in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. They found 88 genes with different activity levels, mostly related to immune function and infection fighting. Importantly, they discovered that ME/CFS patients appear to fall into at least seven different subtypes based on their gene patterns, suggesting that ME/CFS may not be one single disease but rather several related conditions that might need different treatments.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Can exercise limits prevent post-exertional malaise in chronic fatigue syndrome? An uncontrolled clinical trial.

Nijs, Jo, Almond, Freya, De Becker, Pascale et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2008

This study tested whether limiting both how hard and how long people with ME/CFS exercise could prevent post-exertional malaise (feeling much worse after activity). Twenty-four patients did a controlled walking test designed to stay within their personal limits. While tiredness improved within 24 hours, pain increased and didn't fully go away, and some patients reported their overall health got worse. The exercise limits helped prevent major health changes but didn't completely stop symptom flare-ups.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Assessment of fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome: a new protocol designed to determine work capability--chronic pain abilities determination (CPAD).

Kelly, M, Gagne, R, Newman, J D et al.·Irish medical journal·2008

This study created a new testing system to help doctors objectively measure how much work someone with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia can do. The system combines patient interviews, standardized questionnaires about pain and fatigue, and several objective tests (including strength measurements, fitness tests, and cognitive assessments) to give a complete picture of someone's working abilities. The results are then compared to databases of normal working capacity to determine what kinds of work might be realistic.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Open-label study of s-citalopram therapy of chronic fatigue syndrome and co-morbid major depressive disorder.

Amsterdam, Jay D, Shults, Justine, Rutherford, Nancy·Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry·2008

This study tested whether an antidepressant medication called s-citalopram could help people with ME/CFS who also had depression. Sixteen patients took the medication for up to 12 weeks, and researchers measured changes in fatigue, pain, sleep, and mood using standard questionnaires. The results showed improvements in fatigue severity, several ME/CFS symptoms, and depression scores during treatment.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclear

Association of chronic fatigue syndrome and acute psychotic episode: is it coincidental?

Kornreich, Charles, Szombat, Maya, Vandriette, Yun-Marie et al.·Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry·2008

This study looked at whether ME/CFS and sudden onset of psychotic symptoms (like hallucinations or delusions) occur together by chance or if there might be a connection between them. The researchers examined case reports to explore whether patients with ME/CFS experienced psychotic episodes more often than would be expected. This small study helps raise awareness that mental health symptoms can sometimes accompany ME/CFS and deserve clinical attention.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Bayesian biomarker identification based on marker-expression proteomics data.

Bhattacharjee, M, Botting, C H, Sillanpää, M J·Genomics·2008

This study developed statistical methods to find biological markers (biomarkers) that could help identify and diagnose ME/CFS. The researchers used blood protein measurements and genetic information from ME/CFS patients to find which markers are most closely linked to the disease. Finding these biomarkers is important because ME/CFS is currently hard to diagnose and measure, and having reliable biological tests could change that.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Contact lens-related acanthamoeba keratitis in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jhanji, Vishal, Beltz, Jacqueline, Vajpayee, Rasik B·Eye & contact lens·2008

This case report describes a man with ME/CFS who developed a serious eye infection from improper contact lens care. Because his ME/CFS made it difficult for him to maintain proper lens hygiene, bacteria-like organisms called Acanthamoeba infected his cornea (the clear front part of his eye). He eventually needed eye surgery to restore his vision after medical treatments alone did not work.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Neuroactive steroids and fatigue severity in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis C.

Ahboucha, S, Butterworth, R F, Pomier-Layrargues, G et al.·Neurogastroenterology and motility·2008

This study looked at whether certain brain chemicals called neuroactive steroids might explain why people with liver disease feel extremely tired. Researchers measured these chemicals in patients with two types of liver disease and compared them to healthy people. They found that patients with liver disease had higher levels of these chemicals, and those with the most fatigue had the highest levels.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

'That was my old life; it's almost like a past-life now': identity crisis, loss and adjustment amongst people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dickson, Adele, Knussen, Christina, Flowers, Paul·Psychology & health·2008

This study asked 14 people with ME/CFS about their personal experiences living with the condition. Participants described feeling a loss of identity and control over their lives, struggling with not being able to plan for the future, and feeling worthless. They also mentioned how disbelief from others made these feelings worse. The study found that learning to accept the illness and adapt to their new life helped people cope better.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Differential heat shock protein responses to strenuous standardized exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome patients and matched healthy controls.

Thambirajah, Anita A, Sleigh, Kenna, Stiver, H Grant et al.·Clinical and investigative medicine. Medecine clinique et experimentale·2008

This study looked at special protective proteins called heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the blood cells of ME/CFS patients and healthy people before and after exercise. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of these proteins at rest, but their levels dropped after exercise and stayed low for a week. In contrast, healthy people's HSP levels stayed stable or increased after exercise. This difference suggests ME/CFS patients may have trouble recovering from physical stress.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Possible links between behavioral and physiological indices of tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion in advanced cancer.

Olson, Karin, Turner, A Robert, Courneya, Kerry S et al.·Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer·2008

This paper proposes a new framework for understanding tiredness and fatigue in advanced cancer patients. The researchers suggest that cancer and its treatments stress the body, which then affects four key systems: thinking ability, sleep quality, nutrition, and muscle strength. They propose that problems in all four of these areas together—not just one alone—are what cause severe fatigue, and that studying how these systems interact could lead to better treatments.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Medication-induced mitochondrial damage and disease.

Neustadt, John, Pieczenik, Steve R·Molecular nutrition & food research·2008

Mitochondria are the energy-producing structures in our cells, and when they are damaged, they don't work properly. This review article explains that many common medications—including psychiatric drugs, cholesterol medications, and pain relievers like acetaminophen—can damage mitochondria, which may explain some of their harmful side effects. Since ME/CFS involves problems with energy production, understanding how medications damage mitochondria and how certain nutrients might help repair them could be important for patients.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fisher, M McD, Rose, M·British journal of anaesthesia·2008

This study looked at how anesthesia should be safely given to ME/CFS patients undergoing surgery. Researchers found that while some patients experienced side effects after anesthesia, these were not severe allergic reactions and were usually temporary. The study suggests that doctors can use standard anesthesia techniques for ME/CFS patients, simply avoiding any drugs the patient has previously reacted badly to.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Teaching medical students about medically unexplained illnesses: a preliminary study.

Friedberg, Fred, Sohl, Stephanie J, Halperin, Peter J·Medical teacher·2008

Researchers taught 45 medical students about ME/CFS and fibromyalgia in a 90-minute class and then measured whether their attitudes changed. After the class, students had significantly more favorable views about ME/CFS—they were more likely to support research funding, believe employers should offer flexibility to patients, and recognize that ME/CFS is not primarily a psychological condition.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Hypothesis: the chaos and complexity theory may help our understanding of fibromyalgia and similar maladies.

Martinez-Lavin, Manuel, Infante, Oscar, Lerma, Claudia·Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism·2008

This article proposes a new way to understand fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and similar conditions by applying complexity theory—the study of how complex systems work. Instead of looking for a single cause or structural damage, the authors suggest these illnesses result from the body's systems losing their ability to adapt flexibly to stress. This perspective could help explain why these conditions involve so many different symptoms affecting different body systems.

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Individuals' experience of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Arroll, Megan A, Senior, Victoria·Psychology & health·2008

This study asked eight people with ME/CFS to describe their personal experience of the illness through telephone interviews. Researchers found that patients experience their symptoms in complex ways, with fatigue, pain, and other problems affecting their daily lives in varying patterns. An important discovery was that receiving a diagnosis, while helpful, didn't necessarily make the journey easier—patients continued to struggle with understanding and managing their condition.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners.

Whitehouse, Christina R, Boullata, Joseph, McCauley, Linda A·AAOHN journal : official journal of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses·2008

This article reviews what we know about artificial sweeteners—sugar substitutes used in diet drinks and other products. Scientists have debated whether these sweeteners are safe, and some have suggested links to various diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome, though the evidence is mixed. The authors provide an overview of different types of sweeteners, how they work in the body, and what research shows so far.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Contentious diseases--a medico-social phenomenon from an insurance medicine perspective].

Regenauer, A·Versicherungsmedizin·2008

This article examines a group of conditions—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and others—that are difficult to diagnose with standard medical tests and have become controversial in healthcare and insurance systems. The author explores why these illnesses are questioned by insurers, what they have in common, and why cases are increasing in Western societies. The paper aims to help insurance companies better understand these conditions rather than dismiss them as imaginary.

Diagnostics

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Identification of significant genes in genomics using Bayesian variable selection methods.

Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Chalder Fatigue Scale among youth in Japan.

Gene profiling of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Can exercise limits prevent post-exertional malaise in chronic fatigue syndrome? An uncontrolled clinical trial.

Assessment of fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome: a new protocol designed to determine work capability--chronic pain abilities determination (CPAD).

Open-label study of s-citalopram therapy of chronic fatigue syndrome and co-morbid major depressive disorder.

Association of chronic fatigue syndrome and acute psychotic episode: is it coincidental?

Bayesian biomarker identification based on marker-expression proteomics data.

Contact lens-related acanthamoeba keratitis in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neuroactive steroids and fatigue severity in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis C.

'That was my old life; it's almost like a past-life now': identity crisis, loss and adjustment amongst people living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Differential heat shock protein responses to strenuous standardized exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome patients and matched healthy controls.

Possible links between behavioral and physiological indices of tiredness, fatigue, and exhaustion in advanced cancer.

Medication-induced mitochondrial damage and disease.

Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Teaching medical students about medically unexplained illnesses: a preliminary study.

Hypothesis: the chaos and complexity theory may help our understanding of fibromyalgia and similar maladies.

Individuals' experience of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

The potential toxicity of artificial sweeteners.

[Contentious diseases--a medico-social phenomenon from an insurance medicine perspective].

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