CFS Researchers, Doctors Held Conference in Norway

The Norwegian ME Association held a conference for patients, caregivers and medical professionals in Oslo, Norway, this fall. Presenters included several members of the International Association of CFS/ME (IACFS/ME) Board of Directors, as well as researchers and medical professionals from a variety of countries.

The first day of the event—geared toward patients and their caregivers—featured talks on immunology, biomedical research, pain and sleep dysfunction, gastrointestinal problems, pediatric CFS/ME and the importance of an accurate case definition and name.

The second day of the event—geared toward medical professionals—featured speakers from Norway, Japan, Sweden and the United States sharing strategies for diagnosis and treatment and reporting on research advances. Topics included managing patient needs, diagnosing the illness in adults, the pediatric case definition, giardia infection, doctors’ attitudes toward the illness, Japanese research, sleep and pain syndromes, the behavioral approach to treatment, immunology and brain pathology.

Roughly 400 patients and caregivers attended the first batch of meetings, and more than 400 health care professionals attended the second day’s sessions.

Says Dr. Charles Lapp, an IACFS board member who presented at both day’s meetings, “I heard some interesting information at this event. For instance, Oddbjrrn Brubakk of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Ulleval University Hospital in Oslo described a new program endorsed by the Norwegian Ministry of Health that includes a dedicated 10-bed wing at the hospital. It’s my understanding that holding this international event in Norway prompted the otherwise reticent Minister of Health to recognize the illness and develop this program.”

Information from conference participants can be found at the following websites:

- Lajla Mark of Denmark has some remarks about the conference at http://www.mesite.dk/News.htm#OsloConf
- Photos of the conference can be found on Regina Clos’s website at http://www.cfs-aktuell.de/november07_3.htm