Severe ME day – #EndMalnutrionInME guidelines

 

ME needs to be recognised as a risk disease for malnutrition

For Severe ME Day 2023 the 25% Group, which represents people with severe ME, say that currently, allied health care professionals are often unaware that severe ME/CFS can cause nutritional difficulties; ME needs to be recognised as a risk disease for malnutrition and that this can be life threatening.

An early warning system needs to be put in place so that when a patient or their carer report difficulties maintaining nutrition and hydration needs, prompt action is taken.

The inclusion of ME in nutritional guidelines at a national level would help bring about recognition of the condition. However, it is imperative that health care professionals use the tools and guidelines that were specifically designed to manage and treatment malnutrition in conjunction with NICE Guideline 206.

With this in mind, 25% ME Group have gathered together the relevant sections from the guidelines, as well as the links for other useful websites for your ease of use:

• The NICE Clinical Guideline NG206 for ME/CFS (1.12 and 1.17)
• The NICE Clinical Guideline CG32: Nutrition support for adults (oral nutrition support, enteral tube feeding and parenteral nutrition covers adults who are malnourished in hospital or their own home or a care home.)
• NICE Nutritional Support in Adults Quality Standard (QS24)

Read the full statement:

25% Group: Malnutrition in severe ME 

Download an extract:

Guidelines on Nutrition for ME