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Discussion of the NEW International Consensus Criteria

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
BREAKING NEWS - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria Source: Journal of Int
www.prohealth.com


BREAKING NEWS - Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Criteria Source: Journal of International Medicine, July 20, 2011

ProHealth.com
by International Consensus Panel
July 21, 2011

[Note: This definition of ME was produced by an International Consensus Panel of expert clinicians and researchers: Bruce M Carruthers MD, CM, FRCP(C), Marjorie I van de Sande BEd, Kenny L De Meirleir MD, PhD, Nancy G Klimas MD, Gordon Broderick PhD, Terry Mitchell MA, MD, FRCPath, Don Staines MBBS, MPH, FAFPHM, FAFOEM, AC Peter Powles MRACP, FRACP, FRCP(C), ABSM, Nigel Speight MA, MB, BChir, FRCP, FRCPCH, DCH, Rosamund Vallings MNZM, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP, Lucinda Bateman MS, MD, Barbara Baumgarten- Austrheim MD, David S Bell MD, FAAP, Nicoletta Carlo- Stella MD, PhD, John Chia MD, Austin Darragh MA, MD, FFSEM. (RCPI, RCSI), FRSHFI Biol I (Hon), Daehyun Jo MD, PhD, Don Lewis MD, Alan R Light PhD, Sonya Marshall- Gradisbik PhD, Ismael Mena MD, Judy A Mikovits PhD, Kunihisa Miwa MD, PhD, Modra Murovska MD, PhD, Martin L Pall PhD, Staci Stevens MA.]

The label 'chronic fatigue syndrome' (CFS) has persisted for many years because of lack of knowledge of the etiological agents and of the disease process.

In view of more recent research and clinical experience that strongly point to widespread inflammation and multisystemic neuropathology, it is more appropriate and correct to use the term 'myalgic encephalomyelitis' (ME) because it indicates an underlying pathophysiology.

It is also consistent with the neurological classification of ME in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD G93.3).

Consequently, an International Consensus Panel consisting of clinicians, researchers, teaching faculty and an independent patient advocate was formed with the purpose of developing criteria based on current knowledge.
Thirteen countries and a wide range of specialties were represented.

Collectively, members have approximately 400 years of both clinical and teaching experience, authored hundreds of peer reviewed publications, diagnosed or treated approximately 50,000 ME patients, and several members coauthored previous criteria.

The expertise and experience of the panel members as well as PubMed and other medical sources were utilized in a progression of suggestions/ drafts/reviews/revisions.

The authors, free of any sponsoring organization, achieved 100% consensus through a Delphi type process.

The scope of this paper is limited to criteria of ME and their application. Accordingly, the criteria reflect the complex symptomatology.

Operational notes enhance clarity and specificity by providing guidance in the expression and interpretation of symptoms.

Clinical and research application guidelines promote optimal recognition of ME by primary physicians and other health care providers, improve consistency of diagnoses in adult and pediatric patients internationally, and facilitate clearer identification of patients for research studies.

Source: Journal of International Medicine, July 20, 2011 (Early View). For information on affiliations of this international author consortium, click on author information at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02428.x/abstract
 

Sing

Senior Member
Messages
1,782
Location
New England
Is there a rest of the paper? With their updated consensus criteria? I expected this to be part of the Ottawa Conference in September, but maybe it is already out? Any more information anyone knows about here?
 

maddietod

Senior Member
Messages
2,859
I'm wondering what the criteria are. Isn't it possible that some of us won't fit the new ME definition? I don't know that I have either inflammation or neuropathy.
 

Francelle

Senior Member
Messages
444
Location
Victoria, Australia
In the USA at least, the 'term' will probably have to be ratified by the CDC for general usage and you know the chances of that happening! Knowing the CDC's appalling history of acceptance of this condition it's unlikely to be accepted.

I HOPE I AM VERY WRONG though!! (I'm currently reading Osler's Web, so my total scepticism of the CDC is flavoured by past history - let's hope they've come a long way since the 1980's - 1990's) :(
 

Tulip

Guest
Messages
437
I won't believe it until I see a worldwide press release and doctors start calling it ME, because CFS no longer exists.
 

alex3619

Senior Member
Messages
13,810
Location
Logan, Queensland, Australia
Hi, I just read it on co-cure then came here. This is way overdue, and very pleasing. Finally most of the major players are behind ME rather than CFS.

Don't think the biopsychosocial movement is going to just roll over and play dead though - they have been claiming for years that ME and CFS are are same thing!

This is only a first step, its time to take a few more.

The CDC have at times acknowledged that ME and CFS are different I think. Since CFS is an exclusionary diagnosis, anyone diagnosed with ME will be excluded for a diagnosis of CFS I think, since ME explains it all.

Bye
Alex
 

Ember

Senior Member
Messages
2,115
It's published in the Journal of International Medicine and written by an International Consensus Panel. I'm Canadian, so that's good enough for me!

For political purposes, I like the label "International Consensus Criteria" better than the Canadian Consensus Criteria label. (It may sit easier with the CDC.)
 

Francelle

Senior Member
Messages
444
Location
Victoria, Australia
Has anyone got a full-text copy of this yet? Please post a link if/when you do.

This is truely an international panel which I think arose from late last year's Australian (Bond University ??) conference. Glad they were as good as their word at following through on this.
 

OverTheHills

Senior Member
Messages
465
Location
New Zealand
From a quick search Nigel Speight appears to be a UK pediatrician who has presented on psychiatric abuse of ME sufferers and their families.
 

RustyJ

Contaminated Cell Line 'RustyJ'
Messages
1,200
Location
Mackay, Aust
Is there a rest of the paper? With their updated consensus criteria? I expected this to be part of the Ottawa Conference in September, but maybe it is already out? Any more information anyone knows about here?

Sing, not sure that this has anything to do with the CCC. In fact it probably just made the upcoming revised CCC obsolete. Perhaps someone can clarify?
 

Ember

Senior Member
Messages
2,115
Even without reading it, I can't imagine that the criteria will be very much at odds with the Canadian Consensus Criteria. Five of the members of the Canadian Expert Consensus Panel were also on this panel; the lead author and consensus coordinator for the earlier document are listed as the coeditors for this article; 100% consensus was achieved.

Has very much changed in terms of diagnostic criteria since 2003?
 

Ember

Senior Member
Messages
2,115
I wonder if there's a mistake in the name of the publishing journal. The article cites the Journal of International Medicine. But when you follow the link at the end of the article to check affiliations, the publishing journal seems to be the Journal of Internal Medicine. Can anyone shed some light on this?
 

Sasha

Fine, thank you
Messages
17,863
Location
UK
New ME International Consensus Criteria published 20 July 2011

Just seen this on the ME Association News page - a load of our favourite people (Klimas, Meirleir, Bateman, Chia, Light, Mikovits, Staci Stevens) have come up with a new set of consensus criteria for what they are saying should be called myalgic encephalomyeltis, not CFS.

Just started reading it but it looks good! An agreed set of diagnostic criteria by experienced specialists being pushed hard is what we need.

Edit: As you'll see from the rest of this thread, another thread was previously started that I missed, where this news is already being discussed oops - here's the link.
 

jace

Off the fence
Messages
856
Location
England
Full International Consensus Criteria

This is the best day! Here's a pdf of the full text
 

Attachments

  • International Consensus Criteria.pdf
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alex3619

Senior Member
Messages
13,810
Location
Logan, Queensland, Australia
Hi, for those who may not be aware, based on my first read it is not hard for patients to qualify as having ME under the ICC if they have PEM and OI. It may be difficult for patients who have no PEM. Bye, Alex
 

heapsreal

iherb 10% discount code OPA989,
Messages
10,086
Location
australia (brisbane)
DID YOU SEE THE NAMES THAT WORKED ON THIS?

Bruce M CarruthersMarjorie I van de SandeKenny L De MeirleirNancy G KlimasGordon BroderickTerry MitchellDon StainesAC Peter PowlesNigel SpeightRosamund VallingsLucinda BatemanBarbara Baumgarten-AustrheimDavid S BellNicoletta Carlo-StellaJohn ChiaAustin DarraghDaehyun JoDon LewisAlan R LightSonya Marshall-GradisbikIsmael MenaJudy A MikovitsKunihisa MiwaModra MurovskaMartin L PallStaci Stevens

2 aussies, dr staines and marshall are the ones doing immune testing on me/cfs patients in australia through bond uni measuring nk function, they are also measuring other stuff but nothing is out of the bag yet and they are the 2 that have joined forces with dan peterson, so hopefully lots of good stuff to come. dr lewis is probably one of the biggest clinicians of cfs/me patients in australia. Fingers crossed that ME takes off in australia name wise and treatment wise.

cheers!!!