Author Archives: Jennie Spotila

Assessing Outcomes

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

The IOM, P2P and AHRQ reports all pointed out a serious gap in ME/CFS research: the absence of validated ways of assessing clinical outcomes. I have new information about an initiative to change that, and I’ll be speaking about my … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

This Week in Virology Covers ME/CFS

Posted on March 29, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

You may remember This Week in Virology (TWiV) from their XMRV coverage several years ago. I’ve remained an avid listener of the show, simply because it is such a great ongoing conversation about science. And TWiV has continued its coverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Case Definition Bingo

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

Our disease is plagued by too many case definitions, with the Institute of Medicine’s Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) being the most recent. Our federal agencies are thus far continuing the agnostic position of accepting whatever case definitions are proposed … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Did P2P Receive Your Comments?

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

The P2P report is scheduled to be published on April 14, 2015, but new information may call the legitimacy of the report into question. Based on NIH’s response to my FOIA request, I believe it is possible that the Office … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Expired Opportunities

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

NIH funding of ME/CFS research has bumped up against a deadline that could have dire consequences for 2015 and beyond. The primary mechanism for grant applications has expired. Grant applications to NIH must be submitted in response to calls for … Continue reading →

Posted in Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

2014 NIH Spending on ME/CFS Studies

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

Update: This post was revised on October 29, 2016 to correct mathematical errors and update the included research. There is no denying or avoiding the importance of the IOM report and its associated controversies, but ME/CFS advocates must keep eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

PEM Differential

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

One of the post-IOM controversies consuming advocates at the moment is the concern that SEID criteria are non-specific and will include people who do not have our disease. The failure to list exclusionary conditions, including psychological disorders, has drawn criticism … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary, Research | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

Your Move, HHS

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

Since the IOM report came out, the patient/advocate online community has been on fire. Everyone is staking out a position. You like the name, or you don’t; you think the definition will work, or it won’t. And I have plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

NPR Interview

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

Miriam Tucker has been covering ME/CFS for some time now, and published a great piece for NPR about the IOM report today. I was interviewed for the piece, and I can say that Miriam understands this disease, much like David … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

IOM: Report Card

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Jennie Spotila

It’s here. A new case definition and a new name. It will take some time for me to get through the 300 page report and prepare a more detailed analysis. But based on the press conference and summary, how did … Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Commentary | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 61 Comments