Survey Results Suggest Most Agree We Need a Better Way to Describe Different Stages of MS
September 13, 2023
Last year, an opinion paper proposed
a new approach under development to reconsider how different types or stages of MS are described. The goal is to move away from clinical descriptions like relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, or secondary progressive MS. Instead, future descriptions would be driven by a biological understanding of what drives any individual’s disease stage, leading to more personalized treatments that can stop MS in its tracks.
Key to this process is input from stakeholders. Now results from a global survey have been published. The survey was sent to a broad range of people including the professional research and clinical community and people living with MS. Among 502 responses from people in 49 countries, 77% supported changing the description of MS.
Respondents placed high importance on the future framework’s ability to help with making treatment decisions, guide research and clinical trials, and ease communication to people living with MS about their disease.
Learn more about how this proposed new framework may affect you in the future, in a RealTalk MS podcast.
“
Do the current MS clinical course descriptors need to change and if so how? A survey of the MS community” by Alan J Thompson, Marcello Moccia, Maria Pia Amato, Peter A Calabresi, Marcia Finlayson, Annie Hawton, Fred D Lublin, Ruth Ann Marrie, Xavier Montalban9, Michael Panzara, Maria Pia Sormani, Jon Strum, Barbara G Vickrey, and Timothy Coetzee, is published in the
MS Journal (Published online September 11, 2023).
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.