ArticleBMC public health2019
Unemployment and work disability in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a community-based cross-sectional study from Spain.
Article in BMC public health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT05454683 (Effect of Melatonin Plus Zinc Supplementation on Fatigue, Pain, Sleep Disturbances, Anxiety and Depression, and Autonomic Dysfunction in ME/CFS), which is not on this map. Cited by 41 papers, 5 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Effect of Melatonin Plus Zinc Supplementation on Fatigue, Pain, Sleep Disturbances, Anxiety and Depression, and Autonomic Dysfunction in ME/CFS: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study
Who cites it
41 citing papers in PubMed, 5 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 68 citations in OpenAlex.
- Components and Delivery Formats of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review and Component Network Meta-Analysis.Brain and behavior · 2026Pooled it
- Pathophysiological mechanisms of post-exertional malaise: an integrative analysis based on the metabolism-immune-neuro interaction model.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Pooled it
- Health-related quality of life in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post COVID-19 Condition: a systematic review.Journal of translational medicine · 2025Pooled it
- Recent research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an evidence map.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2025Pooled it
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).Journal of translational medicine · 2020Pooled it
- Efficacy and Safety of Enzyme-Derived Deer Velvet Extract Supplementation on Adults with Chronic Fatigue: a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial.Journal of microbiology and biotechnology · 2026Trial
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- ME/CFS and the emotional toll of persistent disbelief: from epistemic to affective injustice.Medicine, health care, and philosophy · 2026Article
- Medical invalidation is associated with structural barriers in postacute immune mediated syndromes based on patient perspectives in Germany.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Reframing ME/CFS: toward a unified mechanistic model of chronic post-infectious diseases.Journal of translational medicine · 2026Review
- Article
- Information exchange or discussion? A qualitative study on cross-sectoral collaboration between social security service and healthcare service for patients with chronic fatigue.BMC health services research · 2025Article
- The search for a blood-based biomarker for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): from biochemistry to electrophysiology.Journal of translational medicine · 2025Review
- History of Alcohol Use Disorder and Housing Instability as Predictors of Fatigue and Mental Health Problems During the COVID-19 Pandemic.Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research · 2025Article
- Episodic disability framework in the context of Long COVID: Findings from a community-engaged international qualitative study.PloS one · 2025Article
- Sustained illness burden over time among Australians with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.PloS one · 2025Article
- Herbal extract (Integrative medicine research · 2024Article
- Central 5-HTergic hyperactivity induces myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)-like pathophysiology.Journal of translational medicine · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFew reports have examined the association between unemployment and work disability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This study explored the key determinants of work disability in a CFS/ME cohort.
methodsA community-based prospective study included 1086 CFS/ME patients aged 18-65 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome measures were recorded. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify key risk indicators of work disability.
resultsFour hundred and fifty patients with CFS/ME were employed (41.4%) and 636 were unemployed (58.6%). Older age at pain onset (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1. 12-1.84, autonomic dysfunction (OR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.71-2.87), neurological symptom (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1. 30-2.13) and higher scores for fatigue (OR: 2.61; 95% CI: 2.01-3.39), pain (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.47-2.97), depression (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1. 20-3.26), psychopathology (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.51-2.61) and sleep dysfunction (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1. 14-1.90) were all associated with a higher risk of work disability due to illness.
conclusionsUsing an explanatory approach, our findings suggest that unemployment is consistently associated with an increased risk of work disability due to CFS/ME, although further more rigorous research is now needed to help in targeting interventions at the workplace.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.