Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre
Neurology Department

Author Of 2 Presentations

Imaging Poster Presentation

P0631 - Recommendations for the coordination of Neurology and Neuroradiology departments in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis (ID 314)

Abstract

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is considered the most reliable and accurate paraclinical tool to evaluate disease activity and progression due to the high sensitivity to detect demyelinating lesions. Coordination between Neurology and Neuroradiology departments is essential to ensure that radiological studies are effectively performed and interpreted. However, in clinical practice, this coordination can be improved to maximize MS management and care.

Objectives

To establish a set of organizational recommendations focused on the coordination between neurologists and neuroradiologists to improve MS management in clinical practice.

Methods

A panel of 17 experts, including neurologists and neuroradiologists, from eight Spanish academic hospitals participated in the study. The Consensus Recommendation Guideline was conducted in four phases: 1) definition of the scope and methodology of the study; 2) review of the literature on good practices or recommendations in the use of MRI in MS; 3) discussion of drafted recommendations to achieve a consensus between the authors; 4) formalization and validation of the contents in a set of recommendations.

Results

We provide nine recommendations to improve the coordination between Neurology and Neuroradiology departments, which can be summarized as follows: 1) standardize the MRI requests, reports and schedules, 2) create shared protocols for MRI studies, 3) establish multidisciplinary working committees and coordination sessions, and 4) generate formal communication channels to improve the coordination between professionals from both departments. These recommendations are based on the available scientific evidence, international good practice guidelines and the experience of the panel experts.

Conclusions

We propose a series of recommendations expected to serve as a functional guide to implement improvements in the coordination between neurologists and neuroradiologists that will ultimately lead to improve the diagnosis and follow-up of MS patients.

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Patient-Reported Outcomes and Quality of Life Poster Presentation

P1024 - Economic impact of the Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in Spain: Interim analysis of the DISCOVER study (ID 1595)

Abstract

Background

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease. Around 19% of treated patients with relapsing-remitting MS progress to Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS) 15 years after disease onset, representing the most severe stage of the disease. MS symptoms lead to a general disability, impacting the quality of life of patients and also being related with an important economic burden on the National Health System, the patients, their caregivers and the whole society.

Objectives

There are limited published data on the economic impact of SPMS. The main objective of the study was to estimate the economic impact of SPMS in Spain.

Methods

DISCOVER (CBAF312AES01) is an observational, non-interventional, cross-sectional, retrospective and multicenter study, including 297 SPMS patients ≥18 years treated and monitored according to routine clinical practice in Spain in 34 public hospitals. All data was collected in one single visit. Primary endpoint: total annual cost per patient, including direct healthcare and non-healthcare costs and indirect costs. Interim results from 99 patients are presented.

Results

62.6% females; mean (SD) age 53.1 (9.3) years; 40.4% with higher education; 86.9% living with a relative. Mean (SD) time since first MS diagnosis was 17.5 (8.9) years and since progression to SPMS 5.2 (4.3) years. At diagnosis, mean (SD) EDSS was 2.0 (1.1), being 5.0 (1.1) at the time of progression and 5.9 (0.8) at the study visit, 47.5% patients reaching EDSS>6. 12.8% of patients presented relapses between 12-24 months before the study. According to EQ-5D-5L, mean (SD) utility (<1) was 0.48 (0.27) for patients with Gd+ lesions and/or relapses 2 years before. According to EQ-5D-5L, mean (SD) utility (<1) for patients with cognitive impairment was 0.45 (0.29) vs 0.51 (0.21) for those without it. Mean (SD) utility for Spanish general population was 0.897 (0.21). EDSS score showed a significative effect (P=0.0074) on the economic burden of the disease, with total costs increasing from 14,546€ (EDSS 4-4.5) to 21,918€ (EDSS 5-5.5) and 26,832€ (EDSS=6). Costs related to patients with EDSS=6 from the societal, patient and healthcare system were 6,441€, 8,450€ and 11,941€, respectively.

Conclusions

Interim results of the DISCOVER study revealed a significant economic impact of MS progression, highlighting the importance of implementing therapeutic strategies specific to the SPMS patient within the early stages of progression.

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