Journal of IiMER Volume 10 Issue 1 June 2016 Within its population of 4.5 million, New Zealand has an estimated 2000025000 ME/CFS patients1. An advantage of this nationwide number is that a significant proportion of these have been evaluated and diagnosed by a single general health practitioner, Dr Rosamund Vallings, of our team who specialises in ME/CFS in her Auckland medical practice. Moreover, with her specialised clinical knowledge of this illness and international role her patient contact extends nationwide and she facilitates training for other health practitioners throughout the country. There is also an effective national ME/CFS organisation, ANZMES, and various regions within the country have their own support groups that are invaluable for affected patients. This means for study purposes in depth information is available for at least a proportion of New Zealand patients. For this patient group variables beyond Warren P. Tate1, Eiren C. Sweetman1, Alex J. K. Noble1, Christina D. Edgar1, Grace Bateman1, Angus Mackay1, Margaret M. Ryan2, Lynette D. Hodges3 & Rosamund Vallings4 1Department of Biochemistry, 2Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin & Brain Health Research Centre and Brain health New Zealand, 3School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Palmerston North, & 4Howick Health and Medical Centre, Auckland the design of a study, like ethnicity, that can confound subsequent evaluations can be managed by careful selection of patients. Our New Zealand environment brings into play the concept of ‘precision medicine’ where intense study of a small number of Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) www.investinme.org Page 46 of 77
47 Publizr Home