ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

561–580 of 6,122 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEditorial

Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment.

Binder, Laurence M, Campbell, Keith A·Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·2004

This review examines several long-term illnesses—including ME/CFS—where patients experience real symptoms but standard medical tests don't show an obvious cause. The authors found that some patients do have measurable thinking and memory problems, but these may result from a combination of stress, past trauma, and how the body responds to illness rather than from traditional brain disease alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic review and critical evaluation of the immunology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lyall, Marc, Peakman, Mark, Wessely, Simon·Journal of psychosomatic research·2003

Researchers reviewed all the studies looking at immune system problems in ME/CFS patients to see what patterns emerged. They found that results were mixed and often contradictory—some studies showed low natural killer cells, while others didn't, especially when looking at higher-quality research. The review suggests that how studies are designed and conducted can affect whether certain immune changes are found.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The neuroendocrinology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cleare, Anthony J·Endocrine reviews·2003

This review examined how hormones—particularly the stress hormone cortisol and others made by the brain and glands—may be altered in ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that some patients have lower cortisol levels than expected, and their bodies may respond differently to stress, but these changes vary significantly from person to person. The review suggests that many factors like inactivity, poor sleep, and ongoing stress likely contribute to these hormone changes rather than a single cause.

Endocrine Disruption

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reid, Steven, Chalder, Trudie, Cleare, Anthony et al.·Clinical evidence·2003

This systematic review summarizes what is known about chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) by examining existing research. The authors looked at the best available evidence about how the condition develops, how it affects people, and what treatments might help. This type of review helps doctors and patients understand the current state of knowledge about ME/CFS.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredEditorial

Safety of immunisation and adverse events following vaccination against hepatitis B.

Duclos, Philippe·Expert opinion on drug safety·2003

This review examined whether the hepatitis B vaccine is safe, particularly looking at claims that it might cause chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and other serious conditions. After reviewing scientific evidence from multiple independent health organizations including the WHO and US Institute of Medicine, researchers found no proof that the vaccine causes these conditions. The vaccine has a strong safety record, and the theoretical risks are far outweighed by its proven benefits in preventing liver disease and cancer.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a review.

Afari, Niloofar, Buchwald, Dedra·The American journal of psychiatry·2003

This is a comprehensive review of ME/CFS research that summarizes what was known about the condition as of 2003. The authors report that ME/CFS involves persistent fatigue lasting at least 6 months alongside other symptoms, and that patients experience significant functional impairment. The review observes abnormalities across multiple biological systems and notes that both physiological and psychological factors appear to be associated with the illness, though early findings suggest it may be distinct from psychiatric disorders.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Medically unexplained physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression: a meta-analytic review.

Henningsen, Peter, Zimmermann, Thomas, Sattel, Heribert·Psychosomatic medicine·2003

A 2003 review of 244 studies examined whether medically unexplained physical symptoms (including chronic fatigue syndrome) are associated with anxiety and depression. The analysis found moderate associations between these conditions and mood disorders, though the relationship was not complete—meaning the symptoms exist partly independently of depression and anxiety. The authors caution that these syndromes should not be classified simply as mental disorders.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Psychological treatment of patients with chronic toxic encephalopathy: lessons from studies of chronic fatigue and whiplash.

van Hout, Moniek S E, Wekking, Ellie M, Berg, Ina J et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2003

This review looked at studies on psychological treatments for chronic toxic encephalopathy (a condition from long-term solvent exposure) and compared them with research on chronic fatigue syndrome and whiplash injuries. The reviewers found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy that helps change unhelpful thinking patterns—and gradually increasing activity levels showed promise in helping people with fatigue and thinking problems. They suggest these same approaches might help people with toxic encephalopathy, though more research is needed.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic review of mental health interventions for patients with common somatic symptoms: can research evidence from secondary care be extrapolated to primary care?

Raine, Rosalind, Haines, Andy, Sensky, Tom et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2002

This 2002 systematic review examined whether mental health treatments studied in hospital settings could also work in primary care for three common conditions with medically unexplained symptoms: chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic back pain. Researchers found that cognitive behaviour therapy and behaviour therapy showed associations with reported improvements in back pain across both settings, while antidepressants were associated with improvements in irritable bowel syndrome but not in chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the review noted that all conclusions need to be considered carefully given methodological weaknesses in the original studies.

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical practice guidelines--2002.

Working Group of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians·The Medical journal of Australia·2002

These guidelines were created by Australian medical experts in 2002 to help doctors recognize, diagnose, and treat ME/CFS (a condition also called chronic fatigue syndrome). The guidelines set standards for how patients should be evaluated and managed, based on the best medical knowledge available at that time. They aim to improve the quality of care patients receive and reduce confusion about how to properly approach this illness.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Annotation: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in children and adolescents.

Garralda, M Elena, Rangel, Luiza·Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines·2002

This review looked at studies of ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) in children and teenagers over 20 years. The main symptom is severe tiredness along with other physical symptoms that stop children from doing normal activities. Most cases seem to start after an infection, and many children also have mood problems like depression. Treatment involving family support, gradual increases in activity, and help with mood disorders showed promise, with over two-thirds of children improving.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Systematic review of the current literature related to disability and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ross, S D, Levine, C, Ganz, N et al.·Evidence report/technology assessment (Summary)·2002

This study reviewed all existing research about how ME/CFS affects a person's ability to work and function in daily life. The researchers looked at what scientists had already discovered about disability in ME/CFS to understand the bigger picture of how this illness impacts people. This type of comprehensive review helps identify what we know and what gaps still exist in our understanding.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEditorial

Chronic fatigue syndrome: what role does the autonomic nervous system play in the pathophysiology of this complex illness?

Gerrity, Timothy R, Bates, Janet, Bell, David S et al.·Neuroimmunomodulation·2002

This paper brings together expert opinions about how the autonomic nervous system (the part of your nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate and breathing) may be involved in ME/CFS. The authors reviewed what was known in 2000 about connections between autonomic nervous system problems and other system dysfunctions seen in ME/CFS, including immune and hormone abnormalities.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reid, Steven, Chalder, Trudie, Cleare, Anthony et al.·Clinical evidence·2002

This systematic review examined all available evidence about chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) to understand what treatments work best. The authors looked at multiple studies together to see what the overall evidence shows about managing this condition. This type of review helps doctors and patients understand which approaches have the strongest scientific support.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

A status report on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Natelson, Benjamin H, Lange, Gudrun·Environmental health perspectives·2002

This review examines why people develop ME/CFS, a condition marked by extreme tiredness and other symptoms that doctors struggle to explain. The authors suggest that ME/CFS likely isn't caused by a single thing, but rather by several different problems—including brain issues, difficulty handling stress, and concerns about making symptoms worse through activity. They note that while severe infections can trigger ME/CFS, the condition seems to persist through different biological mechanisms than the original infection itself.

ME/CFS (general)

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Interventions for the treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Bagnall, A M, Whiting, P, Richardson, R et al.·Quality & safety in health care·2002

This review looked at all the available research studies about treatments for ME/CFS to understand which approaches actually work. The authors examined evidence from previously published studies to summarize what we know about managing this condition. This type of review helps doctors and patients understand the current state of treatment options based on the best available evidence.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Dysautonomias: clinical disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Goldstein, David S, Robertson, David, Esler, Murray et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2002

This review examines dysautonomias—conditions where the autonomic nervous system (the part of your body that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic functions) stops working properly. The authors discuss how these problems can range from occasional fainting spells to serious nerve damage. Importantly, they note that ME/CFS patients often show signs of orthostatic intolerance (difficulty maintaining blood pressure when standing), but a common treatment that works for other autonomic conditions does not appear to help ME/CFS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a step towards agreement.

Clark, Christopher, Buchwald, Dedra, MacIntyre, Anne et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2002

This 2002 guideline paper from leading ME/CFS researchers brought together different international perspectives on how to define and diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome, aiming to reduce confusion among doctors. The authors reviewed existing diagnostic criteria and clinical approaches to help create more consistent standards for identifying the condition. This work was an important step toward getting doctors and researchers to agree on what ME/CFS actually is.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome, idiopathic widespread persistent pain or syndrome of myalgic encephalomyelopathy (SME): what is its nature?

Mehendale, Anand W, Goldman, Mark P·Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain·2002

This review summarizes what scientists and doctors know about fibromyalgia and ME/CFS by examining research from the past 25 years. The authors looked at studies on symptoms, causes, blood test findings, brain imaging, and what patients reported about their experiences. They propose that these conditions may need to be understood in an entirely new way.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic review of the comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome with other disorders: what are the causes and implications?

Whitehead, William E, Palsson, Olafur, Jones, Kenneth R·Gastroenterology·2002

This review examined how irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often occurs together with other conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety, and depression. Researchers found that patients with IBS frequently have multiple other health problems at the same time, suggesting these conditions may share common underlying mechanisms rather than being completely separate disorders.

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Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment.

A systematic review and critical evaluation of the immunology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The neuroendocrinology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Safety of immunisation and adverse events following vaccination against hepatitis B.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a review.

Medically unexplained physical symptoms, anxiety, and depression: a meta-analytic review.

Psychological treatment of patients with chronic toxic encephalopathy: lessons from studies of chronic fatigue and whiplash.

Systematic review of mental health interventions for patients with common somatic symptoms: can research evidence from secondary care be extrapolated to primary care?

Chronic fatigue syndrome. Clinical practice guidelines--2002.

Annotation: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in children and adolescents.

Systematic review of the current literature related to disability and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: what role does the autonomic nervous system play in the pathophysiology of this complex illness?

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

A status report on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Interventions for the treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Dysautonomias: clinical disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a step towards agreement.

Fibromyalgia syndrome, idiopathic widespread persistent pain or syndrome of myalgic encephalomyelopathy (SME): what is its nature?

Systematic review of the comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome with other disorders: what are the causes and implications?

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