New development in ME – Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

in Norway

Marianne BjærumChristine Normann

What is ME?

• Temporary unknown cause• Officially called “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”• First classified into the International

Classification of Diseases in 1969• In Norway alone it is estimated that 15.000

people have ME – predominantly women• No test exist, therefore excluding other

diseases is important for diagnosis

Symptoms

• Impaired memory and cognitive complaints• Sore throat• Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes• Muscle pain• Multi-joint pain• New headaches• Un-refreshing sleep• Post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24

hours

New research

• A study published in 2009 in “Science” reported an association between ME and a retrovirus

• In September 2011, the authors published a "Partial Retraction" of their 2009 findings

New research

• October 2011, A Study at Haukeland University hospital, Bergen, Norway

• Cancer treatment improved patients CFS conditions

• Randomised, double-blind study, 30 patients• 2 out of 3 patients with improved condition

Rituximab

• A chimeric monoclonal antibody that attacks the B-lymphocytes

• Used in the treatment of many lymphomas, leukemias and some autoimmune disorders

• Destroys both normal and malignant B-ly that have CD20 on their surfaces

• Therefore used to treat diseases which are characterized by having too many B-ly, overactive B-ly or dysfunctional B-ly

Theories

• Autoimmune disease• A big subgroup of these patients have a

autoimmune disease maintaining itself by a autoantibody.

• The B-lymphocytes act as a reservoir for a virus with a big impact on this disease.

Newly released

• Research article: Benefit from B-Lymphocyte Depletion Using the Anti-CD20 Antibody Rituximab in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Study

• New book released in October in Norway – historically, politically, national and international, and how to live with ME

Resources

• http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0026358

• http://www.me-foreningen.no/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_

syndrome• http://www.cfids.org/community/pcpep/curri

culum.asp