Skip to main content
Log in

Improving MS patient care

  • Published:
Journal of Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multidimensional, chronic, neurological disease affecting young people that often interferes with their life and career plans. Patient care begins at the time of diagnosis, and particular emphasis should be placed on proper education about the variable disease course and treatment options. Clinical assessment at regular intervals using quantitative measures is recommended in order to obtain important information on the effects of disease-modifying and/or symptomatic treatment. In addition to optimising therapy, it is imperative to develop effective and properly resourced care services for MS patients that will address their complex and lifelong requirements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Goodin DS, Frohman EM, Garmany GP Jr, Halper J, Likosky WH, Lublin FD, Silberberg DH, Stuart WH, van den Noort S, the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines (2002) Disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the MS Council for Clinical Practice Guidelines. Neurology 58:169–178

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Flachenecker P, Rieckmann P (2003) Early intervention in multiple sclerosis: better outcomes for patients and society? Drugs 63:1525–1532

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Rothwell PM, McDowell Z,Wong CK, Dorman PJ (1997) Doctors and patients don’t agree: cross sectional study of patients’ and doctors’ perceptions and assessments of disability in multiple sclerosis. BMJ 314:1580–1583

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Schwid SR, Bever CT Jr (2001) The cost of delaying treatment in multiple sclerosis: what is lost is not regained. Neurology 56:1620

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Jacobs LD, Beck RW, Simon JH, Kinkel RP, Brownscheidle CM, Murray TJ, Simonian NA, Slasor PJ, Sandrock AW and the CHAMPS Study Group (2000) Intramuscular interferon beta-1a therapy initiated during a first demyelinating event in multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 343:898–904

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Comi G, Filippi M, Barkhof F, Durelli L, Edan G, Fernandez O, Hartung H, Seeldrayers P, Sorensen PS, Rovaris M, Martinelli V, Hommes OR and the Early Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (2001) Effect of early interferon treatment on conversion to definite multiple sclerosis: a randomised study. Lancet 357:1576–1582

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. The PRISMS (Prevention of Relapses and Disability by Interferon-beta-1a Subcutaneously in Multiple Sclerosis) Study Group and the University of British Columbia MS/MRI Analysis Group (2001) PRISMS-4: long-term efficacy of interferon-beta-1a in relapsing MS. Neurology 56:1628–1636

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Comi G (2003) From inflammation to degeneration: the lessons of clinical trials. Neurol Sci 24(Suppl 5):S295–S297

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McDonald WI, Compston A, Edan G, Goodkin D, Hartung HP, Lublin FD, McFarland HF, Paty DW, Polman CH, Reingold SC, Sandberg-Wollheim M, Sibley W, Thompson A, van den Noort S,Weinshenker BY, Wolinsky JS (2001) Recommended diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines from the International Panel on the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 50:121–127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Rieckmann P, Toyka KV (2002) Immunomodulatory staged therapy of multiple sclerosis.New aspects and practical applications, March 2002 (article in German). Nervenarzt 73:556–563

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Aaltonen U (2003) European Parliament resolution on Petition 842/2001 concerning the effects of discriminatory treatment afforded to persons with multiple sclerosis within the European Union (2003/2173(INI)) (online). http://www3.europarl.eu.int/omk/omnsapir.so/cre

  12. Kobelt G, Jönsson L, Miltenburger C, Jonsson B (2002) Cost-utility analysis of interferon beta-1b in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis using natural history disease data. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 18:127–138

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kobelt G, Lindgren P, Smala A, Rieckmann P and the German Cost of MS Study Group (2001) Costs and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. An observational study in Germany. Health Econ Prev Care 2:60–68

    Google Scholar 

  14. Beresniak A, Simeoni MC, Fernandez O, Flachenecker P, Pelletier J, Stecchi S, Blumhardt L,Auquier P (2002) Development of an international patientcentered quality of life scale for multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 249(Suppl 1):1/208(P826)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2003) Multiple sclerosis—management of multiple sclerosis in primary and secondary care (online). www.nice.org.uk

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter Rieckmann.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rieckmann, P. Improving MS patient care. J Neurol 251 (Suppl 5), v69–v73 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-004-1511-z

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-004-1511-z

Key words

Navigation