ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5521–5540 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Elevated levels of protein carbonyls in sera of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Smirnova, Iva V, Pall, Martin L·Molecular and cellular biochemistry·2003

This study measured a specific type of damage to proteins in the blood of ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of this protein damage, suggesting their cells may be experiencing more oxidative stress—a type of cellular damage similar to rust forming on metal. This finding supports the idea that oxidative stress may be involved in ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptors: mediators of fatigue?

Cleare, A J·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2003

This study looks at whether a hormone system called the HPA axis—which controls stress responses and cortisol production—might explain why people with ME/CFS experience severe fatigue. Researchers found that some patients have lower cortisol levels and changes in how their bodies respond to stress, and that giving cortisol replacement therapy in some cases improved fatigue. However, the changes weren't the same in all patients, suggesting multiple different factors may be contributing to fatigue rather than one single problem.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Applying exercise to the management of fibromyalgia.

Ambrose, Kirsten, Lyden, Angela K, Clauw, Daniel J·Current pain and headache reports·2003

This article reviews research on how exercise affects fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. While medications are commonly used to treat these conditions, studies show that exercise can significantly reduce pain and tiredness. The authors suggest that exercise should be combined with other treatments as part of a comprehensive care plan.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Integration of gene expression, clinical, and epidemiologic data to characterize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Whistler, Toni, Unger, Elizabeth R, Nisenbaum, Rosane et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2003

This study looked at blood samples from people with ME/CFS to see if the disease might actually be several different conditions rather than one. Researchers found that when they grouped patients by how their illness started, certain genes were turned on or off differently. These genes are involved in how the body produces energy, particularly through breaking down sugars and other molecules. This suggests that ME/CFS patients may have different underlying problems with their body's energy production systems.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

Gherardi, R K·Revue neurologique·2003

This review examines macrophagic myofasciitis, a condition where aluminum from vaccine adjuvants persists in muscle tissue and may trigger long-lasting immune activation. About half of patients develop fatigue and muscle pain that meet ME/CFS criteria, and some develop autoimmune diseases. The authors suggest that persistent immune stimulation from the aluminum depot could explain both this vaccine-related condition and possibly other forms of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Psychometric properties of the Dutch Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--Activities and Participation Questionnaire (CFS-APQ).

Nijs, Jo, Vaes, Peter, McGregor, Neil et al.·Physical therapy·2003

Researchers tested a questionnaire designed to measure how ME/CFS affects daily activities and participation in normal life. The Dutch version of this questionnaire was given to people with ME/CFS, and the researchers found it reliably measured activity limitations and correlated well with patients' reports of pain and fatigue. This suggests the questionnaire is a useful tool for tracking how the disease impacts everyday functioning.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

An overview of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jackson, Elizabeth·Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)·2003

This article reviews what we know about ME/CFS, including the symptoms people commonly experience and how they can be treated. The author describes a new model of patient care that was tested in the community, which combines several different therapeutic approaches to help manage the condition.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Immunological anomalies and thrombocytopenia in 117 dogs and cats diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Tarello, W·Acta veterinaria Hungarica·2003

This study looked at blood test results from 117 pets (dogs and cats) diagnosed with a fatigue syndrome similar to ME/CFS in humans. The researchers found that many of these animals had low blood cell counts and low platelets, along with high muscle enzyme levels and unusual bacteria-like organisms in their blood. When treated with a specific arsenic-based medication, all the animals recovered completely and their immune systems improved.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The head-up tilt test in the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Naschitz, Jochanan E, Sabo, Edmond, Dreyfuss, Daniel et al.·The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ·2003

This review examines how a simple test called the head-up tilt test might help diagnose and manage ME/CFS. In this test, a patient lies flat and is then tilted upright while doctors measure heart rate and blood pressure changes. The review discusses whether these measurements could reveal problems with how the body controls blood pressure and heart function in ME/CFS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mycoplasma blood infection in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes.

Endresen, Gerhard K M·Rheumatology international·2003

This review looked at whether a type of bacteria called mycoplasma might be found in the blood of people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers found mycoplasma in about half of patients with these conditions, compared to only 10% of healthy people. Some patients who received long-term antibiotic treatment appeared to recover completely, suggesting mycoplasma infection might be treatable in certain cases.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not required

Clinical assessment, management and outcomes of a group of adolescents presenting with complex medico-psychosocial conditions.

Szyndler, J E, Towns, S, Hoffman, R C et al.·Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore·2003

This study looked at 38 teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or similar complex conditions that involve both physical symptoms and emotional/social factors. Doctors used a team-based approach to help these young people and found that about half improved with treatment. The study showed that having family members with similar symptoms and missing school were linked to worse outcomes.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Efficacy of a half dose of oral pyridostigmine in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: three case reports.

Kawamura, Yasuo, Kihara, Mikihiro, Nishimoto, Kazuhiro et al.·Pathophysiology : the official journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology·2003

This small study looked at three ME/CFS patients who had problems with both nerve-muscle communication and autonomic nervous system dysfunction (how the body regulates heart rate, sweating, and other automatic functions). All three patients improved significantly when given low doses of a medication called pyridostigmine, which helps acetylcholine (a chemical messenger in the nervous system) work better. The authors suggest that some ME/CFS fatigue might be caused by a combination of these two problems working together.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Successful intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in 3 cases of parvovirus B19-associated chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kerr, J R, Cunniffe, V S, Kelleher, P et al.·Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2003

This study looked at three patients whose chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) appeared to start after they were infected with parvovirus B19, a common virus. These patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), a therapy that contains antibodies from donated blood. All three patients improved significantly, with their symptoms resolving and their ability to function returning to normal.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

An approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome based on the model of human occupation: part one, impact on occupational performance and participation.

Taylor, Renee R, Kielhofner, Gary W, Abelenda, Judith et al.·Occupational therapy in health care·2003

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects people's ability to work, study, and participate in daily life. The researchers used a framework called the Model of Human Occupation to understand how motivation, habits, physical abilities, and surroundings all work together to influence how people with ME/CFS manage their daily activities. The paper draws on real examples from patients' experiences and clinical practice to show the many ways this illness disrupts normal life.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Dental amalgam and human health.

Yip, H K, Li, D K C, Yau, D C Y·International dental journal·2003

This review examines whether dental fillings containing mercury cause chronic fatigue syndrome and other neurological diseases. After 30 years of research, scientists have found that while small amounts of mercury do leak from these fillings, there is no clear evidence that they cause widespread health problems in patients. Most international health organizations agree these fillings are safe for patients, though protecting dental workers from mercury exposure remains important.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Assessment of cortisol response with low-dose and high-dose ACTH in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy comparison subjects.

Gaab, Jens, Hüster, D, Peisen, R et al.·Psychosomatics·2003

This study tested whether ME/CFS patients have problems with cortisol, a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands. Researchers gave 18 ME/CFS patients and 18 healthy people a hormone called ACTH (in both low and high doses) to stimulate cortisol production. The results showed no difference between the two groups, suggesting that ME/CFS is unlikely caused by faulty adrenal glands.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Identification of ambiguities in the 1994 chronic fatigue syndrome research case definition and recommendations for resolution.

Reeves, William C, Lloyd, Andrew, Vernon, Suzanne D et al.·BMC health services research·2003

This study brought together experienced ME/CFS researchers from around the world to identify problems and confusing parts of the official definition used to diagnose ME/CFS in research studies. The team worked together in workshops over three years to find ways to make the diagnosis more consistent and accurate across different research sites, so that patients are identified the same way no matter where they're studied.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

An investigation into the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McCue, P, Martin, Cr, Buchanan, T et al.·Psychology, health & medicine·2003

Researchers tested a questionnaire called the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to see if it accurately measures anxiety and depression in people with ME/CFS. They found that while the questionnaire seems reliable overall, it doesn't work exactly as doctors expected—it measures three separate things rather than two. This means the tool may not be the best choice for screening anxiety and depression in ME/CFS patients without some changes.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Isoprenoid pathway dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kurup, Ravi Kumar, Kurup, Parameswara Achutha·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2003

This study looked at a set of chemical processes in the body called the isoprenoid pathway in 15 people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that several key molecules and minerals were out of balance in ME/CFS patients compared to expected levels, including low magnesium, low energy-producing compounds in cells, and imbalanced brain chemicals. These patterns were associated with increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and problems with how the immune system presents viral antigens.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Phantom lymphadenopathy. An association with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Shee, C D·Postgraduate medical journal·2003

This study looked at 10 patients who thought they had swollen lymph nodes in their neck and other areas. However, when doctors carefully examined them, the swelling wasn't actually there. All of these patients had ME/CFS and experienced severe fatigue, body aches, and various other symptoms. The researchers suggest that some people with ME/CFS may feel like their lymph nodes are enlarged even when they aren't, a phenomenon they call 'phantom lymphadenopathy.'

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Elevated levels of protein carbonyls in sera of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptors: mediators of fatigue?

Applying exercise to the management of fibromyalgia.

Integration of gene expression, clinical, and epidemiologic data to characterize Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

Psychometric properties of the Dutch Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--Activities and Participation Questionnaire (CFS-APQ).

An overview of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunological anomalies and thrombocytopenia in 117 dogs and cats diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The head-up tilt test in the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mycoplasma blood infection in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes.

Clinical assessment, management and outcomes of a group of adolescents presenting with complex medico-psychosocial conditions.

Efficacy of a half dose of oral pyridostigmine in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: three case reports.

Successful intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in 3 cases of parvovirus B19-associated chronic fatigue syndrome.

An approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome based on the model of human occupation: part one, impact on occupational performance and participation.

Dental amalgam and human health.

Assessment of cortisol response with low-dose and high-dose ACTH in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy comparison subjects.

Identification of ambiguities in the 1994 chronic fatigue syndrome research case definition and recommendations for resolution.

An investigation into the psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Isoprenoid pathway dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Phantom lymphadenopathy. An association with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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