Publication Alert: IDSA Review Hearing Report–Lipstick on a Pig
On April 22nd, the IDSA guidelines review hearing panel rubber-stamped its Lyme disease guidelines in its final report of the hearing. Those of us who presented and attended the hearing were appalled. Sure we had our reservations about the ability of a panel stacked with IDSA members to impartially review the guidelines, but there were 1,600 pages of peer reviewed evidence that had been presented to the panel and independent scientists had attested to the persistence of the Lyme bacteria and the low quality of the tests. How could they ignore the weight of such evidence? How could they decide to leave the guidelines completely unchanged even though a panel of their own choosing was divided on the testing? To make matters worse, the IDSA then trumpeted the results of a stacked panel as "independent" in their report. Dr. Stricker and I were given the opportunity to respond to the IDSA "spin" and our letter to the editor was just published. An excerpt follows:
To the Editor—Truth in science is established through open debate in an independent process. The scientific process fails when one side of a debate sets the rules, controls the arena, and ensures that its viewpoint prevails. Sadly, this is what the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has done in the “vindication” of its beleaguered 2006 Lyme disease guidelines described in the final report of the Lyme Disease Review Panel [1].
Thank you for fighting the good fight. As a family of four who have all tanked with Lyme (one from Maine, one from Cape Cod in 1976, and two children with congenital Lyme), we are really tired of having not only to fight to get better but even to get our disease recognized by most doctors, insurance, family, friends, schools, etc. We are now permanently uninsurable thanks to having Lyme, and the IDSA self-righteously clings to its story, making our lives just that extra bit more difficult. An(other) expose is in order pointing out that the more narrowly Lyme is defined the easier it will be to create and promote a vaccine that successfully treats or cures the defined disease. Sigh. Thank you for everything you do to help us.
Terrific. I am amazed that they printed it. Thank you for writing this letter.
same old idsa blind as a bat. They couldnt diagnose a red barn if they were 10 feet in front of it. Look at some of those panel members. I remember one of them telling a child she didnt have lyme and when the mother asked for her files they lost them because she had lyme through another test from a different doctor. only looking to save there own butts.
Good work, Lorraine and Ray. Keep bringing the truth up into the light.
Now that Blumenthal is Senator Elect, I am hopeful that he will pursue congressional hearings on the corrupt IDSA. This arrogant bunch is responsible for the public health disaster that is Lyme Disease. Perhaps U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder can be persuaded to file suit as well. The truth, of course, will eventually prevail. I can only guess that the IDSA worms are hoping it doesn't happen for a couple of decades. We need to keep the pressure on so it happens SOON.
Yes, but to the general public the lipstick looks pretty good and we look like we are whining over getting what we asked for.
Unless the whole lie is exposed one day, this preception may hold up for some time.
The IDSA is still winning the propaganda battle, despite the ludicrousness of their argument.
Thx for the great work. Am wondering whether the letter could be downloadable for any of us to bring to our doctors.