New Clinical Practice Guidelines for ME/CFS have been produced in Alberta, Canada drawing on the Canadian consensus criteria, IOM guidelines and recent research findings: Identification and symptom management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
Quote from p6: In summary, all patients with ME/CFS have post exertional malaise (PEM) which limits the ability to exercise. No study of CBT and/or GET has measured post exertional malaise (PEM).
Psychiatrist Eleanor Stein MD FRCP(C) gives some background to the guidelines, April 13, 2016:
This CPG was drafted by an expert committee of Towards Optimal Practice (TOP). TOP is a collaboration of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta and the Alberta Medical Association. Toward Optimized Practice (TOP) helps Alberta physicians and the teams with whom they work implement evidence-based practices to enhance the care of their patients
I served as the content expert on the committee. We also had one scientist/researcher, one patient advocate, one psychologist and 3 family physicians on the committee. All the committee members have extensive knowledge of and experience with individuals with ME/CFS. We had access to a professional librarian to access all of the literature needed and a professional guidelines facilitator to draft the guidelines. It was a positive experience with everyone agreeing on the importance of the task and having an understanding of the unmet needs of individuals with ME/CFS. I am very proud of the guidelines.
My hope is that these guidelines will be promoted and used across jurisdictions in Canada and abroad. All family physicians in Alberta were sent an email about these guidelines. Please discuss them with your doctor.
“Identification and symptom management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
TOP’s new Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) responds to the need for greater awareness that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex, chronic, debilitating physical condition that can be identified and successfully managed in the primary care setting.
The CPG aims to equip clinicians with the necessary knowledge and tools to identify and provide symptom management while empowering the patient by acknowledging the legitimacy of the condition and respecting the patient’s lived experience.”
