ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5221–5240 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Pilot study of peripheral muscle function in primary biliary cirrhosis: potential implications for fatigue pathogenesis.

Hollingsworth, Kieren G, Newton, Julia L, Taylor, Roy et al.·Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association·2008

This study examined how muscles produce and use energy in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a liver disease where the immune system attacks mitochondria—the energy factories inside cells. Using a special MRI technique, researchers measured how quickly muscles recovered after exercise and found that PBC patients had problems with this energy recovery process. The study also included people with ME/CFS and found that how quickly muscles can clear acid buildup after exercise may determine whether patients feel severely fatigued.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Seven genomic subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a detailed analysis of gene networks and clinical phenotypes.

Kerr, J R, Burke, B, Petty, R et al.·Journal of clinical pathology·2008

This study found that ME/CFS is not a single disease but actually seven different types, each with its own genetic fingerprint and specific symptoms. Researchers looked at blood samples and identified which genes were turned on or off differently in patients compared to healthy people, and then grouped patients based on these genetic patterns. Each genetic subtype had different combinations of symptoms—some people struggled mainly with brain fog, others with pain and muscle problems, and some with multiple severe issues affecting sleep, mood, and digestion.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

POTS versus deconditioning: the same or different?

Joyner, Michael J, Masuki, Shizue·Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·2008

This review article compares POTS (a condition where heart rate and blood pressure drop abnormally when standing) with the physical deconditioning that happens after long bed rest or spaceflight. The authors suggest that both conditions may share similar causes and that carefully structured exercise training might help patients with POTS, ME/CFS, and fibromyalgia, while acknowledging the medical community must remain empathetic to patients with these complex conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 PreliminaryPEM not required

Using multiple sources of knowledge to reach clinical understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chew-Graham, Carolyn A, Cahill, Greg, Dowrick, Christopher et al.·Annals of family medicine·2008

This study looked at how ME/CFS patients and their family doctors understand the illness and talk about it during medical visits. Researchers interviewed 24 patients and 14 doctors in England and found that both groups use general knowledge from society and media—not just medical training—to make sense of ME/CFS. When they talk together, both patients and doctors use scientific language to be heard and trusted, which can help them work together better.

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 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 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 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Acute phase phospholipids related to the cardiolipin of mitochondria in the sera of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic Ciguatera fish poisoning (CCFP), and other diseases attributed to chemicals, Gulf War, and marine toxins.

Hokama, Yoshitsugi, Empey-Campora, Cara, Hara, Cynthia et al.·Journal of clinical laboratory analysis·2008

This study looked for specific molecules in the blood of ME/CFS patients that might be related to mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells). Researchers found that over 91% of ME/CFS patients had elevated levels of these molecules, similar to what was seen in people with other conditions linked to toxins. The study suggests these molecules might be a biological marker—like a sign—of ME/CFS, comparable to well-known inflammation markers in other diseases.

Immune System

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 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 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

An extended concept of altered self: chronic fatigue and post-infection syndromes.

Jones, James F·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2008

This paper proposes that ME/CFS and post-infection fatigue may develop when the brain's ability to sense and respond to the body becomes stuck in a protective 'sickness mode' even after the infection has cleared. Rather than being a true ongoing disease, the authors suggest it may be an altered state where the brain continues to trigger immune and stress responses as if the body is still fighting an infection, causing ongoing fatigue and other symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome with autoantibodies--the result of an augmented adjuvant effect of hepatitis-B vaccine and silicone implant.

Nancy, Agmon-Levin, Shoenfeld, Yehuda·Autoimmunity reviews·2008

This report describes one woman who developed ME/CFS symptoms after receiving hepatitis-B vaccine doses, with her condition worsening after the third dose. Around the time of her vaccinations, she also discovered a silicone leak from breast implants she had received years earlier. The authors suggest that the combination of the vaccine's immune-stimulating ingredient (adjuvant) and leaking silicone may have together triggered her illness.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for women and their health care providers during the childbearing years.

Allen, Peggy Rosati·Journal of midwifery & women's health·2008

This review examines what happens to women with ME/CFS when they become pregnant, give birth, and recover after having a baby. The authors looked at existing research and expert knowledge to understand how ME/CFS affects pregnancy and provide guidance for doctors and midwives caring for these women. The study highlights that very little research has been done on this important topic, even though millions of women with ME/CFS may experience pregnancy.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A precarious balance: using a self-regulation model to conceptualize and treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

Deary, Vincent·British journal of health psychology·2008

This study proposes a new way to understand ME/CFS by looking at how the body and mind try to adapt to living with the illness. The researchers suggest that people with ME/CFS develop a delicate balance with their condition, and when they try to fix things—like pushing through fatigue or avoiding activity—these efforts can sometimes backfire and make symptoms worse. The theory focuses on how physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts become tightly connected and reinforce each other in ME/CFS.

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Pilot study of peripheral muscle function in primary biliary cirrhosis: potential implications for fatigue pathogenesis.

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

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

Seven genomic subtypes of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a detailed analysis of gene networks and clinical phenotypes.

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

Medication-induced mitochondrial damage and disease.

POTS versus deconditioning: the same or different?

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

Using multiple sources of knowledge to reach clinical understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome.

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.

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

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

Acute phase phospholipids related to the cardiolipin of mitochondria in the sera of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), chronic Ciguatera fish poisoning (CCFP), and other diseases attributed to chemicals, Gulf War, and marine toxins.

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

Bayesian biomarker identification based on marker-expression proteomics data.

An extended concept of altered self: chronic fatigue and post-infection syndromes.

Chronic fatigue syndrome with autoantibodies--the result of an augmented adjuvant effect of hepatitis-B vaccine and silicone implant.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: implications for women and their health care providers during the childbearing years.

A precarious balance: using a self-regulation model to conceptualize and treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

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