HC Deb 27 April 1998 vol 311 cc53-4W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has funded into ME/CFS in the last five years. [39863]

Ms Jowell

A number of research projects into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) have been carried out or are currently underway. These are:

The role of noradrenaline in the neuropsychological pathogenesis of the chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)", funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and costing £37,000, is being undertaken by Dr. R. K. Morriss at the University of Manchester.Rehabilitation in the chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)—a controlled trial of cognitive-behavioural therapy", now completed and funded by the Department of Health for £59,034.Should General Practitioners manage chronic fatigue syndrome (ME)? A controlled trial", an ongoing research project funded by the National Health Service research and development programme for £64,433.The Department has also funded a £65,000 project which considered whether a particular type of psychological treatment was effective in reducing disability in CFS/ME Patients and a £60,000 project which is looking at whether general practitioners are best placed to manage CFS/ME patients.

In addition, the NHS Standing Group on Health Technology has recently identified the latest series of priority areas for which it anticipates commissioning primary research or systematic reviews. One of the topics identified is management strategies for chronic fatigue syndrome/ME.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health authorities concerning ME/CFS. [39860]

Ms Jowell

There is no single effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The condition varies significantly from one patient to another and therefore individual patients benefit from different treatment regimes. Therefore, we consider that it is more appropriate for clinical guidelines to be produced by clinicians themselves or through their representative professional bodies. Furthermore, the Medical Royal Colleges point out that, whilst CFS/ME should be managed by general practitioners, it is inappropriate at present to issue clinical guidelines given the lack of methodologically sound research.