Category Archives: News
Patients with a chronic condition need support to self-manage
Research review: Background: Receiving adequate support seems to be crucial to the success of self-management. Although different empirical studies separately examined patients’ preferences for self-management support (SMS), an overview is lacking. Objective: The aim of this qualitative review was to … Continue reading
New name & diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS recommended in US
The committee formed by the Institute of Medicine in the USA to examine diagnostic criteria in ME/CFS released its 280-page report on Tuesday 10th February. Its primary message is that the disease is serious, chronic, complex and multisystem, and that … Continue reading
Fatigue in MS and ME: similarities and differences
Cort Johnson in his blog Health rising asks if the fatigue found in MS and ME is similar or different: Simply looking at the symptoms indicated that MS is primarily a fatiguing disorder, and that MS patients may, in fact, … Continue reading
Problems in defining Post exertional malaise
Research abstract: Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a cardinal symptom of the illnesses referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). PEM is reported to occur in many of these patients, and with … Continue reading
Useful symptom questionnaire to aid ME diagnosis
Research abstract Background: The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) was developed to provide a structured approach for collecting standardized symptomatology and health history information to allow researchers and clinicians to determine whether a patient meets the diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic … Continue reading
Conditions that co-exist with long term CFS
Research abstract Background: Epidemiologic data that inform our understanding of the type, frequency, and burden of co-morbidities with chronic fatigue syndrome is limited. Purpose: To elucidate co-morbid and consequent conditions, using data from a clinical epidemiology study of long-term CFS … Continue reading
Countess of Mar tells House of Lords that people with ME/CFS are treated “abominably” by caring professions
The Countess of Mar, (chair of the Forward ME Group) contributed to a short debate on NHS: Medical Competence and Skill in the House of Lords 7 January 2015. My Lords, I, too, am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Parekh, for introducing this … Continue reading
Kate and Paul’s story of ME & isolation – online
James Martin’s TV show Operation meet the street looks at loneliness. An episode screened on Dec 18th features young couple Paul and Kate in Ammanford. Kate has ME and Paul is her full time carer. Their story begins at 4mins 50 Simon’s story … Continue reading
Long term prognosis study of patients with CFS
Research abstract Objective: To examine the effect of early clinical and demographic factors on occupational outcome, return to work or awarded permanent disability pension in young patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Intervention: A written self-management … Continue reading
The impact of a child’s CFS/ME on family relationships
Research abstract Although there is a large body of research literature concerning the impact of childhood chronic illness on family relationships, very little of this has specifically focussed on the impact of childhood Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy (CFS/ME). The current … Continue reading
