ESME IVWZ
KBO: 0817.905.582
A new, precise set of criteria for Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) was
published in the October edition of the Journal of Internal Medicine. The
new criteria, *Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus
Criteria *(ICC),
can be seen here:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/pdf A
key goal of the ICC are to help researchers to study *homogeneous patient
sets. They are also an important diagnostic tool for clinicians. *
Marjorie van de Sande, co-editor of the ICC, explains the decision to use
the name ME by saying: =93The name =91myalgic encephalomyelitis=92 is the m=
ost
accurate and appropriate name and indicates underlying pathophysiology. It
is recognized by the WHO and is consistent their neurological disease
classification of ME (ICD G93.3). Even though the name ME came into use in
the 1960s, recent research findings further support the name =91myalgic
encephalomyelitis=92.=94[1]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/stati=
c_files/blank_quirks.html#_ftn1>
In the last 3 decades, ME as also been called CFS, CFIDS and ME/CFS and
there here have been many criteria published, some of which are so inclusiv=
e
as to be completely useless, i.e. Oxford, Empirical. This created an
extremely broad, heterogeneous patient group which caused many complication=
s
in the research and treatment of ME. The ICC should solve this problem as
they are based on research which shows profound pathological deregulation o=
f
the central nervous system, immune and endocrine systems, dysfunction of th=
e
cellular energy metabolism and ion transport and cardiovascular
abnormalities. [2]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/b=
lank_quirks.html#_ftn2>The
ICC also introduces a new term to describe the unique energy
dysfunction
that is a hallmark of ME: Post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE).
This cardinal feature, with its *pathologically low threshold of
fatiguability and symptom flare in response to
exertion,*[3]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/blank_=
quirks.html#_ftn3>
* is now** *compulsory for a diagnosis. The definition also requires 3
immune, 3 neurological and 1 energy transport symptom to be present. By
precisely defining the dysfunctions that are characteristic of true ME
patients, the ICC gives scientists and clinicians a valuable tool to work
with ME.
It is now necessary to build up a body of work/information using these
criteria. The European Society for ME (ESME) therefore encourages
researchers, doctors, government agencies, patient groups, etc. to do their
part to make this happen by using the ICC exclusively.
*We recommend that:*
Researchers use the ICC exclusively and call the disease ME in all written
documents about their research.
Government agencies/foundations give research grants to scientists using th=
e
ICC.
Government agencies/institutions officially adopt the ICC and post them on
official websites.
Doctors use the ICC to diagnose patients and write only ME G93.3 in patient
journals or in all written documents about these patients.
Advocates/patient associations speak with one voice by agreeing to call the
disease ME.
The ICC panel is currently developing comprehensive Physician=92s Guideline=
s
which will include =93steps in diagnosis, biotests, treatment and managemen=
t
protocols, the International Consensus Symptoms Scale and other useful
appendices, etc. The goal is to develop concise but comprehensive
user-friendly physician guidelines (handbook), which include the ICC and ar=
e
specifically designed to complement
them.=94[4]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/blank_qu=
irks.html#_ftn1>
*About the ICC:*
The ICC were written by a group of 25 doctors/scientists from 13 countries
who, collectively, have 400 years of both clinical and teaching experience,
have authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and have diagnosed or
treated approximately 50,000 patients. The ICC are for both adults and for
children and addresses some of the special considerations for children.
*About ME: *
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also referred to in the literature as
chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a complex disease involving profound
dysregulation of the central nervous system (CNS) and immune system,
dysfunction of cellular energy metabolism and ion transport and
cardiovascular abnormalities. The underlying pathophysiology produces
measurable abnormalities in physical and cognitive function and provides a
basis for understanding the
symptomatology.[5]<https://mail.google.com/mail/html/compose/static_files/b=
lank_quirks.html#_ftn2>
*About ESME:*
ESME is a unique professional European non-profit organization whose purpos=
e
is to collect know-how in the domain of ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).
ESME=92s goals are to stimulate scientific research, inform and train docto=
rs
and other medical personnel, patients & public, promote cooperation between
EU & international partners , provide professional & uniform information an=
d
strive to ensure professionalism in all layers of ME business.
www.esme-eu.com
*
*1 http://phoenixrising.me/?p=3D5996 Interview with Marj van de Sande.
2 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/pdf
3 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/pdf
4 http://phoenixrising.me/?p=3D5996
5 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/pdf
Kind regards
ESME Team
*The European Society for ME is a non-profit group, operated entirely by
volunteers. You can support ESME with a donation by visiting:
http://esme-eu.com/home/donate-article427-6.html*
* *
* *
*Your donation will go directly to our goals of educating doctors and
helping scientists to solve the puzzle of ME/CFS:
**www.esme-eu.com*<http://www.esme-eu.com/>
*.*
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