Journal of IiME Volume 3 Issue 1 www.investinme.org P PRROOFFIILLEESS ooff PPRREESSEENNTTEERRSS aatt tthhee IINNVVEESSTT iinn MMEE I INNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL MMEE//CCFFSS CCOONNFFEERREENNCCEE With over 25 years of medical practice, Dr Daniel L. Peterson has become a sought-after internist for diagnosing difficult and complex medical cases. When several patients in Incline Village became ill with symptoms that resembled persistent mononucleosis, Daniel Peterson was one of the first physicians to recognize an outbreak of what is known as ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). He became a pioneering physician and researcher in understanding the biological characteristics and methods for diagnosing, managing and treating ME/CFS. He has also performed major studies of Ampligen as a treatment for ME/CFS, and studying the possible role of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) in CFS patients. Dr Peterson is an affiliate of the Sierra Internal Medicine Associates in Incline Village, Nevada; ME/CFS researcher and clinician; a board member of the American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; and member of the International Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Study Group. Dr Peterson was one of the two physicians who identified the original outbreak of CFS in Incline Village, Nevada, in 1984. (thanks to the WPI web site for this information). C Coonnffeerreennccee PPrreesseennttaatt iioonn :: T Trreeaattmmeenntt RReeggiimmeess ffoorr tthhee MMooss tt S Seevveerree CCaasseess Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME is a worldwide problem with incidence of approximately 700 people per 100,000. A subset of patients diagnosed with CFS/ME are severely affected with marked resultant disability and reduced quality of life. In addition to clinical symptoms, these patients can be assessed through objective markers and further categorized by degree of disability and severity of illness. In addition to functional studies, biological markers exist, they are useful in establishing baseline values and used to follow treatment regimens. It is important to thoroughly evaluate these patients in order to rule out comorbid conditions that are also treatable and to establish subsets allowing targeted interventions and rehabilitation strategies. A diagnostic algorithm has been developed to identify this group of patients and to facilitate aggressive treatment strategy. Biological markers can include genetic studies for predisposition to ME, extensive immunological profiling to document perturbations of B-cell and T-cell function and gene expression arrays. Additionally, platforms exist to look for pathogenetic mechanisms including viral arrays and cytokine analysis. Neuroimaging can further determine objective markers of CNS dysfunction. Functional studies employed include studies of VO2 max and neurocognitive testing. Generally, these severely affected subsets of patients have been ill for prolonged period of time and have a guarded prognosis. However, dramatic results have been reported with aggressive targeted strategies. A team approach is required in order to provide necessary services including in-home services, hospitalization, and aggressive management for orthostatic intolerance, cognitive dysfunction, and immune perturbations. Objective markers are followed throughout this process to gauge effectiveness of therapy and axillary supportive services are instituted concomitantly to address issues of secondary mood disorder, deconditioning, and psychosocial dysfunction related to chronic illness. A center of excellence model is currently being developed to implement this broad approach to the most severely disabled patients that include translational research from the laboratory to the Invest in ME (Charity Nr. 1114035) Page 70/76
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