Updates in Multiple Sclerosis – A Focus on Integrated Disease Management

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a CNS disorder characterized by inflammation, demyelination and degenerative changes that can lead to functional loss and disability. Most people with MS experience relapses and remissions. There are no curative treatments for MS, however, robust evidence supports early and ongoing treatment with disease-modifying therapy (DMT) which can limit CNS inflammation and myelin injury; reduce relapses; and delay progression of disability. Given the heterogeneity of the disease, there is no single therapeutic target for MS and we do not yet have ideal biomarkers for predicting which DMT option will work for a given patient. Thus, the goal is to select DMT and supportive care based on the best fit for the patient’s disease characteristics, needs, and preferences. Additionally, optimal MS management requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, individualized approach that incorporates shared decision making. These educational resources are intended to contribute to the optimization of MS management by providing guidance on how to position current therapies, exploring emerging data on investigational therapies, and discussing evidence-based care strategies.