Access and use of clinical services and disease-modifying therapies by people with progressive multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom

Campbell, E. , Coulter, E. H. , Mattison, P., McFadyen, A., Miller, L. and Paul, L. (2017) Access and use of clinical services and disease-modifying therapies by people with progressive multiple sclerosis in the United Kingdom. International Journal of MS Care, 19(6), pp. 275-282. (doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2017-022) (PMID:29270084) (PMCID:PMC5734710)

Abstract

Background: According to current UK guidelines everyone with progressive MS should have access to an MS Specialist but levels of access and use of clinical services is unknown. Our objective was to investigate access to MS Specialists, use of clinical services and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) by people with progressive MS in the United Kingdom. Methods: A UK wide, online survey was conducted via the UK MS Register. Inclusion criteria: age over 18 years, primary or secondary progressive MS and a member of the UK MS Register. Participants were asked about access to MS Specialists; recent clinical service use; receipt of regular review and current and previous DMT use. Participant demographics; quality of life and disease impact measures were supplied from the UK MS Register. Results: In total 1298 participants responded: 5% were currently taking DMT; 23% had previously taken DMT; and 95% reported access to an MS Specialist. Most utilised services were: MS Doctor/Nurse (50%), General Practitioner (45%), and Physiotherapist (40%). Seventy-four percent received a regular review although 37% received theirs less than annually. Current DMT use was associated with better quality of life but past DMT use was associated with poorer quality of life and higher impact of disease. Conclusions: Access to, and use of, MS Specialists was high. However a gap in service provision was highlighted in both receiving and frequency of regular reviews.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Campbell, Mr Evan and Coulter, Dr Elaine and Paul, Dr Lorna
• Authors: Campbell, E., Coulter, E. H., Mattison, P., McFadyen, A., Miller, L., and Paul, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
• Journal Name: International Journal of MS Care
• Publisher: Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
• ISSN: 1537-2073
• Published Online: 30 August 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The AuthorsConsortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers
• First Published: First published in International Journal of MS Care 19(6):275-282
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy