UK to Produce Guidelines for the Management of CFS/ME The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK has announced that it will be producing guidelines for the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or Myalgic Encephalitis (ME) as it is referred to in the UK.

Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)/ME will be developed by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, (NICE) announced Health Minister, Lord Warner today.

CFS/ME is a debilitating and distressing condition that affects people of all ages, and this guideline will help the NHS in England and Wales to provide the best treatment based on evidence of what works best.

The clinical guideline will cover:

• assessment and diagnosis
• adjustment and coping
• symptom management
• use of rehabilitation strategies geared towards optimising functioning, and achieving greater independence

Lord Warner said:

"This referral to NICE is a further part of our plans to improve treatment and care. CFS/ME can cause profound, long-term illness and disability, and much of the distress surrounding CFS/ME is caused by difficulties in recognition, acknowledgement and acceptance of the condition and its impact. This Guideline will underpin the training of health professionals, ensuring people with this illness receive sound advice, but will also build on our establishment of regional centres throughout the country."

Professor Tony Pinching, Chairman of the CFS/ME Service Investment Steering Group commented:

"This announcement is particularly welcome as we start to establish new clinical teams to guide and support patients and professionals through the CFS/ME service investment programme. The NICE process will enable authoritative clinical guidelines - based on the best available evidence - to inform the development of services to patients, and to ensure that optimal standards are consistently achieved."

The report of the Independent Working Group on CFS/ME to the Chief Medical Officer in 2002 provides a sound basis from which to develop this guideline. Whilst treatments aimed at the cause are not yet available, much can be done to achieve sustainable improvement in functioning and management of the illness.

For more information, please contact the Department of Health Public Enquiries Service, at 020 7210 4850.
Posted by Mary : February 23, 2004 02:25 PM