ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5721–5740 of 6,211 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report.

Redman, D A·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2000

Many people with ME/CFS experience orthostatic hypotension—a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up—which can be severely disabling. This paper reviews why existing medications for this condition often don't work well and proposes that Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom), a plant-based supplement used in Europe, might help by improving blood vessel function and preventing blood from pooling in the legs.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--old wine in new bottles].

Leonhardt, T·Lakartidningen·2000

This 2000 article examines chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and discusses how the condition may be understood through existing medical knowledge rather than as a completely new disease. The author explores what we already know about ME/CFS and how current medical frameworks apply to this complex illness.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Werbach, M R·Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic·2000

This review examines whether nutritional deficiencies might play a role in ME/CFS and suggests that patients may benefit from supplementation. The authors identified several nutrients—including B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and others—that appear to be lower in ME/CFS patients, likely due to the illness itself rather than poor diet. They recommend considering vitamin and mineral supplements as a trial treatment, since these supplements are generally safe and may help with both symptoms and recovery.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"I could not lift my arm holding the fork...". Living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Söderlund, A, Skoge, A M, Malterud, K·Scandinavian journal of primary health care·2000

This study asked 12 people with ME/CFS to describe what living with the illness is really like. They reported extreme exhaustion that goes far beyond normal tiredness, along with muscle weakness, pain, memory problems, sleep issues, and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. These symptoms made everyday activities like cooking, talking, and housework unpredictably difficult, which disrupted their social lives and relationships.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Feminist perspectives on the social construction of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Richman, J A, Jason, L A, Taylor, R R et al.·Health care for women international·2000

This study compares how doctors have historically viewed ME/CFS with how patients themselves understand the illness. The researchers found that when medical science couldn't find a viral cause for ME/CFS, doctors increasingly blamed psychiatric or social factors instead of looking for biological explanations. The authors argue that discovering biological markers (measurable signs of disease) could help restore ME/CFS's credibility as a real medical condition, similar to how multiple sclerosis gained recognition.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Acute phase responses and cytokine secretion in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cannon, J G, Angel, J B, Ball, R W et al.·Journal of clinical immunology·1999

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have abnormal levels of immune signaling molecules called cytokines, which could explain their symptoms. Researchers compared 10 ME/CFS patients with 11 healthy controls at rest and after 15 minutes of stepping exercise, measuring immune markers in their blood. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher baseline levels of certain inflammatory markers, but exercise responses were similar between groups.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fungal spores: hazardous to health?

Sorenson, W G·Environmental health perspectives·1999

This review discusses how fungal spores in the air can affect human health. Fungal spores are tiny particles that can enter the lungs when inhaled, and some contain harmful substances called mycotoxins. The article notes that breathing in fungal spores has been linked to various health problems, including chronic fatigue syndrome, along with lung disease and other serious conditions.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection: a treatable cause of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chia, J K, Chia, L Y·Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·1999

This study examined whether a common bacterial infection called Chlamydia pneumoniae might be a treatable cause of ME/CFS. Researchers looked at patients with ME/CFS and tested whether treating this infection with antibiotics could improve their symptoms. The authors suggest that some cases of ME/CFS might be linked to this persistent bacterial infection.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome: an empirical guide to assessment and treatment.

Johnson, S K·Journal of health psychology·1999

This 1999 guide provides healthcare providers and patients with practical methods for evaluating and treating chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The authors reviewed existing evidence to create a framework for assessment—including tests and questionnaires—and outlined treatment approaches. This work aims to help clinicians better recognize and manage ME/CFS in their patients.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Orthostatic intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Rowe, P C, Barron, D F, Calkins, H et al.·The Journal of pediatrics·1999

This study looked at 12 teenagers who had both ME/CFS and a connective tissue condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). All of them also experienced problems with blood pressure and heart rate when standing up (orthostatic intolerance). The researchers found that abnormal connective tissue in blood vessels may cause blood to pool in the legs when standing, which could explain why these conditions often occur together.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Functional somatic syndromes.

Barsky, A J, Borus, J F·Annals of internal medicine·1999

This 1999 editorial discusses how several chronic conditions—including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome—share common features: they cause real suffering and disability, but standard medical tests often don't find clear tissue damage. The authors suggest that a self-reinforcing cycle develops where patients become convinced they have a serious disease, their symptoms worsen over time, and this belief itself amplifies their suffering, even when psychological and social factors play a role.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Stealth adaptation of an African green monkey simian cytomegalovirus.

Martin, W J·Experimental and molecular pathology·1999

Researchers found genetic material from a virus in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome that resembles human cytomegalovirus (a common virus). Interestingly, the virus was missing genes that the immune system normally recognizes and attacks, which might allow it to hide from immune defenses. Genetic analysis showed this virus actually came from African green monkeys, not humans.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The importance of orthostatic intolerance in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Schondorf, R, Freeman, R·The American journal of the medical sciences·1999

This review examines how problems with standing up (orthostatic intolerance) are connected to ME/CFS. Many people with ME/CFS experience symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, shaking, and nausea when standing or sitting upright. The authors review what we know about this connection, including how to diagnose it, what tests can help, what might cause it, and how it might be treated.

Autonomic Nervous SystemDiagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Acute effects of thirty minutes of light-intensity, intermittent exercise on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clapp, L L, Richardson, M T, Smith, J F et al.·Physical therapy·1999

This study looked at whether 30 minutes of light, on-and-off walking on a treadmill would make symptoms worse in people with ME/CFS. Ten participants did 10 short 3-minute walks with 3-minute rest breaks in between. The researchers found that this type of gentle, intermittent exercise did not worsen symptoms immediately or up to a week afterward.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) response to i.v. ACTH in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

De Becker, P, De Meirleir, K, Joos, E et al.·Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme·1999

This study tested how the adrenal glands respond to a hormone signal in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers gave a hormone called ACTH to 22 ME/CFS patients and 14 healthy controls, then measured DHEA levels over an hour. While starting DHEA levels were normal, ME/CFS patients showed a weaker increase in DHEA after the hormone injection compared to healthy controls.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

Social Security Ruling, SSR 99-2p.; titles II and XVI; evaluating cases involving chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Social Security Administration. Notice of Social Security ruling.

Federal register·1999

The Social Security Administration issued an official ruling in 1999 to help people with ME/CFS get disability benefits. The ruling states that ME/CFS is a real medical condition that can prevent someone from working, but only when doctors find specific signs or lab results that support the diagnosis. This ruling was meant to make sure all disability examiners across the country evaluate ME/CFS cases using the same fair standards.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Detailed description of a pregnancy associated with severe chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jha, R R, Masson, E A, Lindow, S W·Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·1999

This is a detailed case report describing one woman's experience with severe ME/CFS during pregnancy. The report documents how her condition changed during pregnancy and what medical care she received. While this is just one person's story rather than a study comparing many patients, it provides valuable insight into what pregnancy can be like for someone with severe ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryPEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

The Chronic Fatigue Twin Registry: method of construction, composition, and zygosity assignment.

Buchwald, D, Herrell, R, Ashton, S et al.·Twin research : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·1999

Researchers created a registry of twin pairs where at least one person had chronic fatigue to better understand the condition. They recruited 204 twin pairs through support groups, doctors, and other sources, and had 177 complete their detailed questionnaires and phone interviews. This registry was designed to help scientists study what causes chronic fatigue and whether genetics or life circumstances play a bigger role.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Matsumoto, Y·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·1999

This paper discusses fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and mood changes without visible inflammation or damage on tests. The author explains that while fibromyalgia is recognized as real, some doctors still debate whether it is truly distinct from other conditions. Many people with ME/CFS also meet the criteria for fibromyalgia, but there are some differences between the two conditions—such as signs of viral triggers and low blood chemical levels found in ME/CFS but not usually in fibromyalgia.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Patterns of waking EEG spectral power in chemically intolerant individuals during repeated chemical exposures.

Bell, I R, Szarek, M J, Dicenso, D R et al.·The International journal of neuroscience·1999

Some people experience discomfort or symptoms from exposure to low levels of chemicals and odors. This study measured brain electrical activity (EEG) in people with chemical intolerance before and after exposure to mild chemical odors across two sessions. Researchers found that people with chemical intolerance who had made major lifestyle changes showed different brain patterns than those who hadn't, suggesting the brain may become increasingly sensitive to these exposures over time.

Pain and Sensitization

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Evidence browser

Ruscus aculeatus (butcher's broom) as a potential treatment for orthostatic hypotension, with a case report.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--old wine in new bottles].

Nutritional strategies for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

"I could not lift my arm holding the fork...". Living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Feminist perspectives on the social construction of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acute phase responses and cytokine secretion in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fungal spores: hazardous to health?

Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection: a treatable cause of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Understanding chronic fatigue syndrome: an empirical guide to assessment and treatment.

Orthostatic intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Functional somatic syndromes.

Stealth adaptation of an African green monkey simian cytomegalovirus.

The importance of orthostatic intolerance in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acute effects of thirty minutes of light-intensity, intermittent exercise on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) response to i.v. ACTH in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Social Security Ruling, SSR 99-2p.; titles II and XVI; evaluating cases involving chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Social Security Administration. Notice of Social Security ruling.

Detailed description of a pregnancy associated with severe chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Chronic Fatigue Twin Registry: method of construction, composition, and zygosity assignment.

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Patterns of waking EEG spectral power in chemically intolerant individuals during repeated chemical exposures.

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