NICE to review guidance on CFS/ME

NICE is to begin a review of its 2010 guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrone/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) following a public consultation with patient and professional groups.

CFS/ME is a relatively common condition which affects around 190,000 people in the UK. It has a range of symptoms that includes tiredness, headaches, sleep disturbances, difficulties concentrating and muscle pain.

It can cause prolonged illness and disability and although some people have relatively mild symptoms, others have a serious illness that severely affects their day-to-day lives and may be housebound.

Further details about the review, including a scope outlining what it will cover and information about recruitment to the guideline committee, will be published on the NICE website.

Andrew Dillon, NICE chief executive, said: “The strong message from stakeholders was that the continuing debate about the causes of this condition and the best approach to treatment argued for a review of the current guideline.

“We will now recruit a guideline committee which will include people with the condition and their carers, the healthcare professionals who treat them and the organisations which commission that treatment. As with all the guidance we produce, we will also ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to provide evidence and insights throughout the development of the guideline.”