LYMEPOLICYWONK: IDSA and Lyme Hearings: TOP 10 Count Down for the Masters of Manipulation?

I have been reviewing the IDSA transcripts and reread Dr. Arthur Weinstein’s testimony. Weinstein testified in support of the IDSA Lyme guidelines at the IDSA hearing on July 30th. He argued that chronic Lyme disease is a ‘somatic’ disorder involving a “serious amplification of symptoms” and states that he “doesn’t pretend to know the etiology (cause) of the pathophysiology”. He does though assert that the serious amplification of symptoms is associated with patients who have more psychiatric morbidity and is fostered by the labeling the disease “chronic Lyme” by advocacy groups and others that believe in a traditional medical cause for symptoms. This post is part of a twofer. Today, I ask if Weinstein is right that post treatment Lyme disease is a somatic disorder or if this is simply his pet theory. Tomorrow, I ask if the somatic disorder diagnosis provides patients with good patient care.

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law a stimulus program that includes $1.1 billion for comparative effectiveness research. The Partnership to Improve Patient Care, a coalition of patient groups, physicians and pharmaceuticals, warned that the research might be inappropriately used to “limit treatment options for patients.” A health care e-list that I’m on has become an active war zone on this issue. (Full disclosure—I am a combatant.)

We are all concerned about the latest report from the IDSA statement that they plan to issue their final report regarding the IDSA guidelines review panel by the end of April. We are particularly concerned about whether the IDSA has corrected its voting violations. There may be other actions for the community to take as this unfolds, but right now, it is critical that we continue keeping the pressure on for other state AG’s to send letters to the IDSA (IMPORTANT: cc the CT AG) expressing concern about the voting violations and asking for compliance. Letters from legislators would also help spotlight the importance of the issue. Information on how to do this is posted on CALDA’s website along with the press release issued by CALDA, TFL and the LDA.