New Morgellons Article 5-12-2010, May CCID Journal

[Sunnyand7777]

Hey everyone,

We have a hallelujah moment!

Dr. Savely's article was just published 5-12-2010. Below is the link with abstract. Go to the link and click to download (free) the entire 12 page article. Oh, yes---this has been peer reviewed to the extreme prior to publication.
Watch out CDC, "we're coming."


Sunny

Morgellons disease: Analysis of a population with clinically confirmed microscopic subcutaneous fibers of unknown etiology


Authors: Virginia R Savely, Raphael B Stricker
Published Date May (12) 2010 , Volume 2010:3
Morgellons disease: Analysis of a population with clinically confirmed


1TBD Medical Associates, San Francisco, CA, USA; 2International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, Bethesda, MD, USA
Background: Morgellons disease is a controversial illness in which patients complain of stinging, burning, and biting sensations under the skin. Unusual subcutaneous fibers are the unique objective finding. The etiology of Morgellons disease is unknown, and diagnostic criteria have yet to be established. Our goal was to identify prevalent symptoms in patients with clinically confirmed subcutaneous fibers in order to develop a case definition for Morgellons disease.
Methods: Patients with subcutaneous fibers observed on physical examination (designated as the fiber group) were evaluated using a data extraction tool that measured clinical and demographic characteristics. The prevalence of symptoms common to the fiber group was then compared with the prevalence of these symptoms in patients with Lyme disease and no complaints of skin fibers.
Results: The fiber group consisted of 122 patients. Significant findings in this group were an association with tick-borne diseases and hypothyroidism, high numbers from two states (Texas and California), high prevalence in middle-aged Caucasian women, and an increased prevalence of smoking and substance abuse. Although depression was noted in 29% of the fiber patients, pre-existing delusional disease was not reported. After adjusting for nonspecific symptoms, the most common symptoms reported in the fiber group were: crawling sensations under the skin; spontaneously appearing, slow-healing lesions; hyperpigmented scars when lesions heal; intense pruritus; seed-like objects, black specks, or “fuzz balls” in lesions or on intact skin; fine, thread-like fibers of varying colors in lesions and intact skin; lesions containing thick, tough, translucent fibers that are highly resistant to extraction; and a sensation of something trying to penetrate the skin from the inside out.
Conclusions: This study of the largest clinical cohort reported to date provides the basis for an accurate and clinically useful case definition for Morgellons disease.

[jonsi]

Hi Sunny!

What does this mean to YOU? Honestly, please tell us what significance this has to all of us "M" sufferers and how this study will help us tomorrow.

Is this Ginger Savely?

Did they use some of Mark Darrah's work (from SUNY)?

I just want to hear something new. This sounds like the same old same old...

Please explain the difference, why is this so ground breaking?

Thank you,

In the white light
~jonsi

[cynical]

high prevalence in middle-aged Caucasian women, and an increased prevalence of smoking and substance abuse. Although depression was noted in 29% of the fiber patients, pre-existing delusional disease was not reported. After adjusting for nonspecific symptoms, the most common symptoms reported in the fiber group were: crawling sensations under the skin; spontaneously appearing, slow-healing lesions; hyperpigmented scars when lesions heal; intense pruritus; seed-like objects, black specks, or “fuzz balls” in lesions or on intact skin; fine, thread-like fibers of varying colors in lesions and intact skin; lesions containing thick, tough, translucent fibers that are highly resistant to extraction; and a sensation of something trying to penetrate the skin from the inside out.
Conclusions: This study of the largest clinical cohort reported to date provides the basis for an accurate and clinically useful case definition for Morgellons disease.

So I don't smoke and I don't abuse substances, how does this apply to me? Just wondering?

I hardly call this anything to celebrate. Maybe my comprehension is off.

[Sunnyand7777]

Yes, this is Ginger Savely and Ray Stricker. This is the result of years of cummulative data. It proves with steadfast evidence the reality of Morgellons Disease. Morgellons is no longer a theory or a delusion. Now, we have hard core evidence that is reputable. We can stand firm and with our heads high. This is our proof.
The CCID is a respected mainstream medical Dermatology journal. This article had to be peer reviewed out the #@$# even to get in. This is a major broad jump to recognition and acceptance. Friendly Family doctors will now have a basis to diagnosis Morgellons without fear. This will hold up for a genuine case definition throughout the medical community. It's the real deal. The derms are gonna squirm ... probably have already changed to Depends. The CDC is more than likely scheduling emergency meetings to receive their govt issued crying.

I hope this helps.
Sunny

[Jo]

Thanks Sunny!!

It's another hit in the eye for the disbelieving establishments. It would be good to read the whole article.

Jo xxx

[cynical]

Hi Sunny,

I hope so! I guess I should clicked on the link instead of the short description.

[Katinka]

Thanks to Dr.Savely and Dr.Stricker and all the others for their outstanding work.

One thing bothers me though. There must be way more than 14.000 families afflicted by now. This was the number several years ago and I think an update would be in need. IMO it should have also been noted that since the initial outbreaks, people contracting this disease is steadily increasing in order to show the importance in further investigation rather than letting it been read as if only a minority of the population is affected.

All in all - certainly a step forward....!!..and very much appreciated!

Kat

[Jo]

Originally Posted by Katinka

Thanks to Dr.Savely and Dr.Stricker and all the others for their outstanding work.

One thing bothers me though. There must be way more than 14.000 families afflicted by now. This was the number several years ago and I think an update would be in need. IMO it should have also been noted that since the initial outbreaks, people contracting this disease is steadily increasing in order to show the importance in further investigation rather than letting it been read as if only a minority of the population is affected.

All in all - certainly a step forward....!!..and very much appreciated!

Kat

I agree Kat. Currently the MRF website says 14,720 households registered - possibly the website needs an update, because I'd imagine the number is higher by now too. In UK we get about 2 referrals a week, but only a minority will have the courage/trust/inclination to register...I think this is apart of the problem.

Jo xxx

[Jo]

Click here to open or download the whole article:

http://www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=6317

Jo xxx

[tcmgpt13]

I wonder if some doctors will still hold back recognition and/or treatment of Morgellons because this journal is not listed on Pubmed. Information on the Dove Publishing website itself says that this journal still is not accepted by or listed on Pubmed. In fact so far it looks as if it has not even been submitted for approval. Dove Publishing does however say that all of their journals usually do go on to be accepted on Pubmed Central. Still I think there will be some cautious doctors who might remain on the sidelines or others who will not accept this publication at all without that seal of approval (many doctors as we have learned are set in concrete):

http://www.dovepress.com/call-for-pa...ational-dermat

"PubMed Central

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatologywill be submitted to PubMed Central as soon as it has met the criteria. All of our older journals are indexed on PubMed Central, none have been declined, so we expect Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatologyto be accepted once the application has been submitted."