ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5561–5580 of 6,211 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome. An overview of current concepts.

Aktan, Nadine M·Advance for nurse practitioners·2003

This is an overview article that explains what doctors and nurses understand about chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) based on current medical knowledge. The article reviews existing concepts and ideas about the condition rather than presenting new research data. It was written to help healthcare providers, particularly nurse practitioners, better understand and care for patients with ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

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 not requiredReview-Narrative

The neurological significance of abnormal natural killer cell activity in chronic toxigenic mold exposures.

Anyanwu, Ebere, Campbell, Andrew W, Jones, Joseph et al.·TheScientificWorldJournal·2003

This review examines how toxic molds found in homes and buildings can damage the immune system, specifically affecting natural killer cells—white blood cells that help fight infections. When people are exposed to these molds over time, their natural killer cells may stop working normally, which could contribute to symptoms like fatigue, memory problems, sleep trouble, depression, headaches, and fevers that resemble ME/CFS.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Davey, N J, Puri, B K, Catley, M et al.·International journal of clinical practice·2003

This study looked at whether the slowness people with ME/CFS experience in reacting and moving is connected to changes in how their brain controls muscles. Researchers tested 10 ME/CFS patients twice over up to two years, measuring reaction times, movement speed, and brain signals using magnetic stimulation. They found that when patients' symptoms changed, their brain's ability to control movements changed in a similar way, suggesting the slowness has a real physical basis in the brain rather than being purely psychological.

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 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 requiredCross-Sectional

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chaudhuri, A, Condon, B R, Gow, J W et al.·Neuroreport·2003

This study used a specialized brain imaging technique called MR spectroscopy to look at a part of the brain called the basal ganglia in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS had significantly higher levels of choline (a compound involved in cell membranes) in this brain region compared to healthy people. This suggests that the fatigue in ME/CFS may involve changes in how brain cells are functioning and communicating.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Identification of novel expressed sequences, up-regulated in the leucocytes of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Powell, R, Ren, J, Lewith, G et al.·Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology·2003

This study looked for differences in how genes are turned on or off in immune cells from ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers found 12 genes that were more active in ME/CFS patients' immune cells, including two genes known to be involved when immune cells become activated. This supports the idea that ME/CFS may involve immune system changes.

Immune System

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 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Siegmeth, Walter·Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2003

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a real medical condition that causes widespread pain and should be diagnosed using clear, established criteria. Research suggests it may involve problems with the nervous system, hormonal systems, and pain control pathways in the brain. Treatment works best when it combines information and education, physical therapy, and sometimes medication, rather than relying on drugs alone.

Sleep

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 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

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 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 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

[On the history of the concept neurasthenia and its modern variants chronic-fatigue-syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities].

Schäfer, M L·Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie·2002

This article traces the history of a medical term called 'neurasthenia' that was used in the 1800s to describe people with severe tiredness and weakness. The author explains how this old concept disappeared from Western medicine but has reappeared in modern times under new names like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities. The article suggests that cultural and social factors influence how these illnesses are recognized and named in different parts of the world.

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 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Family cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: an uncontrolled study.

Chalder, T, Tong, J, Deary, V·Archives of disease in childhood·2002

This study looked at whether a type of talk therapy called family cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) could help young people aged 11-18 with ME/CFS. Twenty young people received this therapy, which involved working with their families to manage symptoms and increase daily activities. About 83% of participants improved, showing lower fatigue scores and better school attendance, with benefits lasting at least six months after treatment ended.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome. More and more differential diagnoses suggest a new view of this syndrome].

Merz, Susanne·Lakartidningen·2002

This review examines how ME/CFS is defined and diagnosed, and explains that several other medical conditions can look like ME/CFS but are actually different diseases. The authors highlight that many conditions—such as chronic infections, thyroid problems, and allergies—can cause similar symptoms to ME/CFS. They recommend that doctors carefully test patients to find the true cause of their symptoms rather than assuming everyone with severe fatigue has ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Chronic fatigue syndrome. An overview of current concepts.

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

The neurological significance of abnormal natural killer cell activity in chronic toxigenic mold exposures.

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Applying exercise to the management of fibromyalgia.

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

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of basal ganglia in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Identification of novel expressed sequences, up-regulated in the leucocytes of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Dental amalgam and human health.

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

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

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.

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

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

Identification of masqueraders of autoimmune disease in the office.

[On the history of the concept neurasthenia and its modern variants chronic-fatigue-syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities].

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

Family cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: an uncontrolled study.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome. More and more differential diagnoses suggest a new view of this syndrome].

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