New guidance from the UK Department of Health provides a comprehensive list of conditions where treatment with immunoglobulin may or may not be  appropriate.

CFS, which is listed under neurology, is a condition where immunoglobulin is NOT recommended.

BMJ abstract available here

 

Whilst accepting that the evidence base from clinical trials for using immunoglobulin in ME/CFS is not convincing, this official advice will mean that people in the UK who believe that this approach to management has been helpful will find it even more difficult to find a doctor who is willing to prescribe immunoglobulin.

More information on the use of immunoglobulin in ME/CFS, including references to randomised clinical trials, can be found in section 7:3 of  ‘ME/CFS/PVFS – An Exploration of the Key Clinical Issues’, September 2008

edition (MEA publication).

Dr Charles Shepherd

Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association