7 March 2011
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
NHS reforms put people with M.E. at risk
In a letter to editor, Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer and the heads of six other M.E. organisations say that proposed NHS reforms will lead to fragmented services for people with M.E., who are already inadequately provided for. Many patients are worried about the changes, about which they have not been properly consulted.
The Times, p 27
07/03/11
Science must find a cure
In a letter to the editor, Action for M.E.’s Sir Peter Spencer says that people affected by M.E. won’t be surprised to read that the PACE Trial, published in The Lancet, has found current treatments to be, at best, only moderately effective. NICE must bear in mind that the specialist expertise and safeguards which apply to controlled research do not apply across the NHS as a whole. The Medical Research Council must spend the £1.5 million earmarked for research on M.E. on finding the cause of the illness.
Wishaw Press, p 42
02/03/11
The mechanisms of change
Gijs Bleijenberg and Hans Knoop of the Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue in the Netherlands comment on the PACE trial results, saying that future studies into the mechanisms of change are needed to improve the effectiveness of treatments such as CBT and GET.
The Lancet, p 786-88 and online
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60172-4/fulltext?rss
=yes
05/03/11
PACE trial result
The PACE trial results state that CBT and GET can safely be added to standard medical care to moderately improve outcomes for chronic fatigue syndrome, but adaptive pacing therapy is not an effective addition.
The Lancet, p 823-36 and online
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(11)60096-2/abstract?r
ss=yes
05/03/11
As above
Pulse, p 11
02/03/11
XMRV may hold the key
Dr David Bell believes that further research into the link between CFS and XMRV may finally explain the Lydonville outbreak of 1985, where 214 people in the small New York town became ill over a two year period.
The Wall Street Journal, online
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704005404576176823580854478.html
05/03/11
Experience led to research
Professor Leonard Jason, DePaul University, talks about having CFS and how his own experience led him to research into the illness.
The Wall Street Journal, online
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704507404576179031979295592.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
05/03/11
Difficult to define
The difficulty of case definition in CFS can cause problems when it comes to research into its causes and effects.
The New York Times, online
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/08/health/research/08fatigue.html?_r=1
04/03/11
Stars flock to see show
Charlotte Church, Rowan Atkinson and Michael Winner were among the audience at the launch of new musical The Wizard of Oz, starring Sir Michael Crawford, who had M.E. for four years before returning to the stage.
Western Mail, p 18
03/03/11
Crawford returns to stage
Sir Michael Crawford, who takes the title role in a new West End production of The Wizard of Oz, talks about living with M.E. for four years before returning to the stage.
Daily Mail (Weekend), p 6-7 and online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1362592/Michael-Crawford-reveals-personal-r
eason-s-stage.html?ITO=1490
05/03/11
As above
Daily Mirror, p 6
05/03/11
Daily Record, p 7
05/03/11
Book signing
Paul Gregory, a member of Salus Fatigue Foundation, will sign copies of his book The psychology of chronic fatigue syndrome/M.E. and self management at Waterstones in Sutton on Saturday 19 March from noon to 2pm.
This is Sutton Coldfield, online
http://www.thisissuttoncoldfield.co.uk/news/Fatigue-author-sign-books-funds/article-3291938-detail/article.html
04/03/11
Lyme disease
Denise Longman, who thought for years that she had CFS until being correctly diagnosed with Lyme disease, has started a petition calling for better awareness and treatment for Lyme.
East Anglian Daily Times (EA Life), p 6
05/03/11
NB. Some articles may only be available online through payment of a subscription. Unfortunately Action for M.E. is prevented by copyright law from reproducing such articles in full or in extract.
The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
