Overview of positive developments in ME/CFS research

In October, NAAC posted on a review of ongoing and planned ME/CFS clinical trials, authored by Michiel Tack and Evelien Van Den Brink.  The review results were pretty disappointing and feedback calling the review “depressing” led the authors to highlight some global developments and progress on their blog [1]. Tack and Van Den Brink state

“We believe that since 2015 significant progress is being made in the ME/CFS community and that advocates are achieving success worldwide.”

Highlights mentioned include

  • Increase of NIH funding of ME/CFS research in the U.S,
  • The NHMRC targeted call for research in Australia
  • Decode ME conducted in the UK.
  • Proposal of a European resolution on additional funds for ME/CFS research.
  • JAMA viewpoint on biomedical evidence becoming a stronger entity in ME/CFS research.

“over the past 35 years, thousands of studies from laboratories in many countries have documented underlying biological abnormalities involving many organ systems in patients with ME/CFS, compared with healthy controls: in short, there is something wrong.”[2]

The impact of growing biomedical research outcomes  is demonstrated  by changes in approach by authorities such as the CDC  “ME/CFS is a biological illness, not a psychologic disorder”[3] and Medscape “although the etiology and pathophysiology of ME/CFS are unclear, the illness is biological, not psychogenic”.[4]  Overall, the psychosomatic view of ME/CFS is on the decline.

The progress made over the past five years is significant and there is cause for hope. Driven by collaborative efforts of advocates, researchers, medical practitioners, and consumer groups, things may continue to improve for the ME/CFS community. 

The discussed article can be accessed using the following link: https://mecfsskeptic.wordpress.com/2020/11/02/progress-is-happening-an-overview-of-positive-developments-in-the-me-cfs-community/

[1] Mecfsskeptic blog https://mecfsskeptic.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/whats-in-the-pipeline-ongoing-registered-or-planned-clinical-trials-for-me-cfs/

[2] JAMA https://meassociation.org.uk/2019/07/advances-in-understanding-the-pathophysiology-of-me-cfs-08-july-2019/

[3] CDC https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/healthcare-providers/presentation-clinical-course/etiology-pathophysiology.html

[4] Medscape https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/235980-overview