A Report of Clinical Progress in 2016

by | Dec 16, 2016 | BHC News, Clinical Care, Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS

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Improved objective diagnosis and the ability to assess treatment outcomes, has made many aspects of MECFS and FM appear before my eyes. I am committed to infusing the medical community with this information to dramatically improve patient diagnosis and treatment.

  • clinical progressCareful observation of 10 minute NASA Lean test results as part of the CDC multisite study has prompted more effective use of this test in clinic. BHC has created web based instructions openly available to patients/providers about how to effectively use this inexpensive bedside procedure to demonstrate orthostatic intolerance. Positive response is coming in from patients about how utilizing it has made their illness “real” to primary care providers.
    • In 2017 we hope to complete and publish clinical research that will identify subsets of illness using the 10 minute NASA Lean test in a clinical setting. Understanding subsets will make treatment of orthostatic intolerance syndromes more realistic for primary care providers.
  • BHC delivered web-based instruction in a patient webinar about collecting meaningful sleep and heart rate data using wearable devices. This objective data can be provided to medical providers for discussion and analysis.
  • In 2017, we will be testing several cognitive assessment tools that are readily available and can be utilized by clinicians and mental health providers at the bedside.
  • The University of Utah Division of Family Medicine invited me to teach family practice residents about fibromyalgia and later about the new evidence based clinical criteria for ME/CFS. This is the first time a residency program at the University has offered an invitation to teach physicians in training.
  • I was invited to lecture at Western Intermountain Neurologic Organization educational conference about the new ME/CFS clinical diagnostic criteria proposed in the IOM report. The information was met with great enthusiasm and respect by neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuroscientists.
  • I am receiving phone calls from specialists asking for advice about best management decisions of ME/CFS or FM as it applies to a patient under their care— chronic lymphoma, breast cancer and prostate cancer, cardiac procedures, orthopedic surgery, oral surgery, colonoscopy preps, pregnancy, delivery and postpartum management. This demonstrates heightened awareness and concern about ME/CFS and FM as important medical entities, and willingness to learn more.

Objective measures of sleep disturbances (wearables), cognitive impairment, and orthostatic intolerance (10 minute NASA Lean test), in combination with new metabolomics research publications should provide strong evidence in support of the new IOM clinical criteria, leading to wider adoption. The Bateman Horne Center is leading the way in the medical advancement and treatment of MECFS and FM through integrated medical research and clinical care, committed to the development of evidence-based treatments for millions of sufferers.

I firmly believe we can make first-class patient care the standard for those impacted by MECFS and FM.
We are dedicated to making this a reality in our lifetime. Join us.
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