|
State |
Cases Reported 1990 |
Cases Reported 2007 |
|
Arkansas |
22 |
1 |
|
California |
345 |
75 |
|
Georgia |
161 |
11 |
|
Michigan |
134 |
51 |
|
Missouri |
205 |
10 |
|
North Carolina |
87 |
53 |
|
Oklahoma |
13 |
1 |
|
Washington |
30 |
12 |
I want to extend my thanks to the 1,500 people who have already responded to the new LDo survey. This overwhelming response comes on the heels of our email notice sent yesterday. I also want to thank all of the organizations that have reposted our survey and urge those who have not responded yet to do so. Finally, I want to encourage those taking the survey to take the time to complete it fully. Some of the questions used come from government surveys that are used to determine the impact of different illnesses on the patients affected. These comparisons are very useful to understand how Lyme disease is similar or different from other diseases. This survey addresses many issues which are unknown in the Lyme community. For example, how many patients with chronic Lyme disease have co-infections? How many have adverse reactions to antibiotics? How many patients are currently on oral antibiotics? How many on IV antibiotics? Answers to questions like these are central to understanding what we need to do to improve the quality of life for Lyme patients throughout the nation. To take the survey, go to LymeDisease.org and click the “Take Patient Survey” button.
Some more light reading for those late nights when nothing is on the tube and you’re wondering how IDSA got ensnared in antitrust law with its Lyme disease guidelines. Just how flawed was its guidelines development process? Why is it important to democracy that opposing viewpoints be heard before vital freedoms—like your ability to choose among treatment options—are taken away. When do medical societies have an obligation to not suppress legitimate medical controversies? And, what is the drill for the settlement process anyway?
If you have comments on the article, send them to me at johnson.lorraineb@gmail.com
Over 6,100 responded to our IDSA survey within one month! That’s YOU being engaged. Everyone who has worked on this project has been deeply touched by your responses. In addition to answering our survey questions, over 1,700 patients offered their thoughts in a tiny comment box. I have to say, I was unprepared for the depth of responses offered. I know that those of us who reviewed the comments teared up. You may too.
A couple of weeks ago, I suggested you look the “pistols at dawn” action at the OK Corral between IDSA president, Dr. Ann Gershon, and Dr. Stricker and me on the IDSA guidelines, antitrust law, and Lyme disease. Drum roll. . .The reply by Dr. Sticker and me is now posted on the Journal of Medical Ethics website. This lively debate is a breath of fresh air to the Lyme community.
In May 2008, the IDSA agreed to re-evaluate its guidelines as part of the settlement agreement for an antitrust investigation by the Attorney General of Connecticut, which found significant conflicts of interest on the original panel, suppression of scientific evidence, and exclusion of panel members with opposing viewpoints. This is the first time a guidelines panel has been forced to re-examine its guidelines under antitrust law.
10,000 Signatures in 9 days–we are on a roll! That is more than 1,000 signatures a day.
