Elizabeth Dowsett

Dr Elizabeth G. Dowsett (better known as Betty Dowsett) (1920 - 14 June 2012) was a consultant microbiologist and notable ME/CFS researcher and clinician in the UK. Some of the people she collaborated with included Dr John Richardson, Dr Melvin Ramsay, and Jane Colby.

Early life

Dowsett was born in Newport Gwent and studied medicine at Edinburgh University. She began her medical career as a GP in London, and then qualified as a consultant microbiologist.

Notable studies

• HFME - Articles by author: Dr Dowsett
• 1996, Long Term Sickness Absence due to ME/CFS in UK Schools: An Epidemiological Study With Medical and Educational Implications, coauthored by Jane Colby and Elizabeth G Dowsett, is the largest ever epidemiological study of ME in the UK which revealed that ME is the most frequent cause of long-term sickness absence from school. (Full text)

Other publications

• 2004, A Rose By Any Other Name - (Full text)

Refers to the different for myalgic encephalomyelitis

London criteria

Dr. Dowsett was one of the co-authors of the 1994 London criteria case definition for research.

Charity work

Dowsett was a medical advisor to the charities Welsh Association of ME & CFS Support and 25 Percent ME Group.

Learn more

• 1997, Long Term Sickness Absence due to ME/CFS in UK Schools: An Epidemiological Study With Medical and Educational Implications
• ME Association - Dr Betty Dowsett, 1920 – 2012 | consultant microbiologist who championed M.E. | updated 6 July 2012

See also

• The National ME Centre
• Melvin Ramsay
• John Richardson
• Jane Colby
• Leslie Findley

See myalgic encephalomyelitis.

See chronic fatigue syndrome.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.