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Can We Improve the Monitoring of People With Multiple Sclerosis Using Simple Tools, Data Sharing, and Patient Engagement?

Katherine Tuite-Dalton, Rod Middleton Orcid Logo, Katie Tuite-Dalton, Elaine Baker, Andrea Stennett, Christo Albor, Klaus Schmierer

Frontiers in Neurology, Volume: 11

Swansea University Authors: Katherine Tuite-Dalton, Rod Middleton Orcid Logo

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Abstract

Technological innovation is transforming traditional clinical practice, enabling people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) to contribute health care outcome data remotely between clinic visits. In both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients may experience variable disabilit...

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Published in: Frontiers in Neurology
ISSN: 1664-2295
Published: Frontiers Media SA 2020
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa61476
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Abstract: Technological innovation is transforming traditional clinical practice, enabling people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) to contribute health care outcome data remotely between clinic visits. In both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients may experience variable disability accrual and symptoms throughout their disease course. The potential impact on the quality of life (QoL) in pwMS and their families and carers is profound. The introduction of treatment targets, such as NEDA (no evidence of disease activity) and NEPAD (no evidence of progression or active disease), that guide clinical decision-making, highlight the importance of utilizing sensitive instruments to measure and track disease activity and progression. However, the gold standard neurological disability tool—expanded disability severity scale (EDSS)—has universally recognized limitations. With strides made in our understanding of MS pathophysiology and DMT responsiveness, maintaining the status quo of measuring disability progression is no longer the recommended option. Outside the clinical trial setting, a comprehensive monitoring system has not been robustly established for pwMS. A 21st-century approach is required to integrate clinical, paraclinical, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) data from electronic health records, local databases, and patient registries. Patient and public involvement (PPI) is critical in the design and implementation of this workflow. To take full advantage of the potential of digital technology in the monitoring and care and QoL of pwMS will require iterative feedback between pwMS, health care professionals (HCPs), scientists, and digital experts.
Keywords: multiple sclerosis, monitoring, 3TEST, patient engagement, technology
College: Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences
Funders: KA-P was supported by the National Institute for Health Research North Thames Clinical Research Network. The UKMSR was funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain & Northern Ireland. The initiation and early maintenance of the BartsMS Database were supported by non-promotional research grants from Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.