ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5541–5560 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The radicalized self: the impact on the self of the contested nature of the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clarke, Juanne N, James, Susan·Social science & medicine (1982)·2003

This study explores how people with ME/CFS cope with the challenge that their illness is not universally accepted by doctors and society. Patients experience both the physical burden of the disease and the emotional strain of having their condition disputed or questioned. The research found that people with ME/CFS often develop new ways of understanding themselves and their identity as a way to cope with this lack of recognition.

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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Small adrenal glands in cats with feline interstitial cystitis.

Westropp, Jodi L, Welk, Kristin A, Buffington, C A Tony·The Journal of urology·2003

This study found that cats with a painful bladder condition called feline interstitial cystitis had smaller adrenal glands (organs that make stress hormones) and produced less cortisol when stimulated compared to healthy cats. The researchers suggest this might indicate a mild form of adrenal insufficiency, similar to what has been observed in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Endocrine Disruption

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

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 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 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 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 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

The effect of granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients--a pilot study.

The, G K H, Prins, J, Bleijenberg, G et al.·The Netherlands journal of medicine·2003

Researchers tested whether a medication called granisetron, which affects a brain chemical involved in nausea and other functions, might help ME/CFS patients feel less fatigued. Five women with ME/CFS took the medication for one month and reported significant improvements in how tired they felt and how much they could do. However, this was a very small study without a comparison group, so much more research is needed to confirm these results.

Interventions

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 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 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 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Identification of masqueraders of autoimmune disease in the office.

Frieri, Marianne·Allergy and asthma proceedings·2003

This article discusses how several autoimmune and rheumatologic diseases can look like allergies or other conditions, making them easy to miss in a doctor's office. The author reviews nine conditions—including ME/CFS and fibromyalgia—that are often confused with other illnesses and explains how doctors can use blood tests and other tools to correctly identify them.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Alternative tests in the diagnosis of food allergies].

Senna, Gianenrico, Gani, Federica, Leo, Gualtiero et al.·Recenti progressi in medicina·2002

This review examined whether alternative medical tests can reliably diagnose food allergies and intolerances. The researchers found that popular tests like cytotoxic testing, hair analysis, applied kinesiology, and food IgG testing are not scientifically supported for diagnosing food problems. The authors warn patients and doctors to be cautious about these tests because following unnecessary restricted diets based on their results can be harmful, especially for children.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Methodologic aspects of the study of modern-age diseases: the example of sick-building syndrome.

Thörn, Ake·International journal of occupational and environmental health·2002

This paper discusses challenges in studying conditions like ME/CFS that have many different symptoms but no clear physical test to diagnose them. The authors suggest that studying how these illnesses develop over time, through detailed interviews and case studies, may help us understand them better than traditional research methods that count statistics across large groups.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Does graded activity increase activity? A case study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Friedberg, Fred·Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry·2002

This study looked at one patient with ME/CFS who received treatment aimed at gradually increasing physical activity. Surprisingly, while the patient reported doing more walking and felt much better overall, a step counter showed he was actually taking fewer steps per week by the end of treatment. The improvement seemed to come from doing activities that made him feel better emotionally, rather than from simply moving more.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: psychiatric perspectives].

Youssefi, M, Linkowski, P·Revue medicale de Bruxelles·2002

This review examines ME/CFS from a psychiatric perspective, looking at how mental health symptoms often occur alongside the physical illness. Many people with ME/CFS also experience depression, anxiety, or other mood problems, though it's unclear whether these conditions cause ME/CFS or develop because of living with a serious chronic illness. The authors discuss treatments that have shown promise, including talking therapy, exercise programs, and antidepressants when appropriate, while emphasizing that a supportive doctor-patient relationship is essential.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: the point of view of the internist].

Cogan, E·Revue medicale de Bruxelles·2002

This review examines how doctors approach patients with chronic fatigue. The authors note that most chronic fatigue cases stem from psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety. A small group of patients have ME/CFS, which involves fatigue, mood and thinking problems, and various other physical symptoms—but doctors still don't know what causes it. Current treatments with limited evidence include antidepressants, talk therapy, and graded exercise programs.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chiari type I malformation: overview of diagnosis and treatment.

Nash, John, Cheng, Joseph S, Meyer, Glenn A et al.·WMJ : official publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin·2002

Chiari Type I malformation is a condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, potentially causing compression and various neurological symptoms. This review explains how doctors diagnose it using MRI imaging and discusses treatment options. The authors note that Chiari I symptoms can overlap significantly with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, making diagnosis challenging, and they highlight controversy around whether surgery is appropriate for patients with these overlapping conditions.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Theoretical accounts of Gulf War Syndrome: from environmental toxins to psychoneuroimmunology and neurodegeneration.

Ferguson, E, Cassaday, H J·Behavioural neurology·2002

This paper suggests that the confusing mix of symptoms seen in Gulf War Syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome may actually be one condition caused by inflammation in the body rather than separate diseases. The authors propose that inflammatory molecules called cytokines trigger a 'sickness response' similar to what happens when you have the flu, and that smells or other reminders from the environment can keep this sickness response going long after it should have stopped.

Immune System

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The radicalized self: the impact on the self of the contested nature of the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Small adrenal glands in cats with feline interstitial cystitis.

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

Dental amalgam and human health.

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

Isoprenoid pathway dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

The effect of granisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients--a pilot study.

Mycoplasma blood infection in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes.

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

Applying exercise to the management of fibromyalgia.

Identification of masqueraders of autoimmune disease in the office.

[Alternative tests in the diagnosis of food allergies].

Methodologic aspects of the study of modern-age diseases: the example of sick-building syndrome.

Does graded activity increase activity? A case study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: psychiatric perspectives].

[Chronic fatigue syndrome: the point of view of the internist].

Chiari type I malformation: overview of diagnosis and treatment.

Theoretical accounts of Gulf War Syndrome: from environmental toxins to psychoneuroimmunology and neurodegeneration.

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