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Singer BA, Morgan D, Stamm JA, Williams AA. Patient and Physician Perspectives of Treatment Burden in Multiple Sclerosis. Neurol Ther 2024:10.1007/s40120-024-00654-1. [PMID: 39230830 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00654-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The number of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has greatly increased in recent decades, leading to higher treatment complexity. DMTs can differ in mode and frequency of administration, benefit-risk profile, and associated costs. Patients with MS contend not only with the burden of their chronic disease but also with the treatment burden of their MS therapy. Adhering to dosing schedules and infusion appointments can be difficult for busy, working-age patients or those with limited access to transportation. Patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) may have differing priorities, concerns, and preferences when selecting treatment, potentially affecting treatment satisfaction and, importantly, adherence. Additionally, patients face direct and indirect costs related to treatment. These factors can all contribute to a high treatment burden on patients, impacting their quality of life and potentially leading to worse patient outcomes. HCPs, patients, and caregivers must work together to alleviate treatment burden through effective communication, shared decision-making, appreciating each other's perspectives, and additional HCP support. Consideration of treatment burden into clinical guidelines is also warranted. In this review, we examine key factors impacting treatment burden for patients with MS, with a focus on the patient perspective as provided by our patient authors, and provide strategies to minimize treatment burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry A Singer
- The MS Center for Innovations in Care, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63131, USA.
| | - Dawn Morgan
- Patient Author: MS patient advocate, author, speaker, founder of Unquiet Minds Move Nonprofit, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julie A Stamm
- Patient Author: MS patient advocate, author, educator, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Anita A Williams
- Patient Author: MS patient advocate, author, co-founder of MS Minority Research Engagement Partnership Network, RIDE Council steering committee member, Aurora, CO, USA
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Henderson NL, Padalkar T, Bourne G, Hendrix EK, Williams CP, Odom JN, Triebel K, Rocque GB. Assessing the association between quantity and quality of family caregiver participation in decision-making clinical encounters on patient activation in the metastatic breast cancer setting. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:422. [PMID: 38858225 PMCID: PMC11164765 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08593-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Caregivers support individuals undergoing cancer treatment by assisting with activities, managing care, navigating healthcare systems, and communicating with care teams. We explored the quality and quantity of caregiver participation during recorded decision-making clinical appointments in women with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS This was a convergent parallel mixed methods study that utilized qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Caregiver participation quality was operationalized using a summative thematic content analysis to identify and sum caregiver actions performed during appointments. Performance of a greater number of actions was considered greater quality of participation. Caregiver participation quantity was measured by calculating the proportion of speaking time. Participation quality and quantity were compared to patient activation, assessed using the Patient Activation Measure 1-month post decision-making appointment. RESULTS Fifty-three clinical encounters between patients with MBC, their caregivers, and oncologists were recorded. Identified caregiver actions included: General Support; Management of Treatment or Medication; Treatment History; Decision-Making; Insurance or Money; Pharmacy; Scheduling; Travel Concerns; General Cancer Understanding; Patient Specific Cancer Understanding; Caregiver-Initiated or Emphasis on Symptom Severity; and Caregiver Back-Up of Patient Symptom Description. Caregivers averaged 5 actions (SD 3): 48% of patient's caregivers had low quality (< 5 actions) and 52% had high quality (> 6 actions) participation. Regarding quantity, caregivers spoke on average for 4% of the encounter, with 60% of caregivers speaking less than 4% of the encounter (low quantity) and 40% of caregivers speaking more than 4% (high quantity). Greater quality and quantity of caregiver participation was associated with greater patient activation. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers perform a variety of actions during oncological decision-making visits aiding both patient and provider. Greater participation in terms of quantity and quality by the caregiver was associated with greater patient activism, indicating a need for better integration of the caregiver in clinical decision-making environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Henderson
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | - Tanvi Padalkar
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Garrett Bourne
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Emma K Hendrix
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Courtney P Williams
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - J Nicholas Odom
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Kristen Triebel
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Gabrielle B Rocque
- School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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Stoll S, Costello K, Newsome SD, Schmidt H, Sullivan AB, Hendin B. Insights for Healthcare Providers on Shared Decision-Making in Multiple Sclerosis: A Narrative Review. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:21-37. [PMID: 38180727 PMCID: PMC10787702 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00573-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Shared decision-making (SDM) between the patient and their healthcare provider (HCP) in developing treatment plans is increasingly recognized as central to improving treatment adherence and, ultimately, patient outcomes. In multiple sclerosis (MS), SDM is particularly crucial for optimizing treatment in a landscape that has grown more complex with the availability of newer, high-efficacy MS therapies. However, little direct evidence on the effectiveness of SDM is available to guide practice. Multiple factors, including patient age, ethnic background, perceptions, invisible MS symptoms, and psychological comorbidities can influence a patient's willingness and ability to participate in SDM. HCPs need to appreciate these factors and ask the right questions to break down obstacles to SDM. The HCP has a responsibility to help patients feel adequately informed and comfortable in having an active role in their care. This review identifies potential barriers to SDM and provides a strategy for HCPs to overcome these obstacles through patient (and caregiver) discussions to ensure optimal patient satisfaction with treatment and thus the best possible outcomes for their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Scott D Newsome
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hollie Schmidt
- Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Amy B Sullivan
- Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Barry Hendin
- Integrated Multiple Sclerosis Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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Hechenberger S, Helmlinger B, Penner IK, Pirpamer L, Fruhwirth V, Heschl B, Ropele S, Wurth S, Damulina A, Eppinger S, Demjaha R, Khalil M, Pinter D, Enzinger C. Psychological factors and brain magnetic resonance imaging metrics associated with fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2023; 454:120833. [PMID: 37866195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides demographics and clinical factors, psychological variables and brain-tissue changes have been associated with fatigue in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Identifying predictors of fatigue could help to improve therapeutic approaches for pwMS. Therefore, we investigated predictors of fatigue using a multifactorial approach. METHODS 136 pwMS and 49 normal controls (NC) underwent clinical, neuropsychological, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. We assessed fatigue using the "Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions", yielding a total, motor, and cognitive fatigue score. We further analyzed global and subcortical brain volumes, white matter lesions and microstructural changes (examining fractional anisotropy; FA) along the cortico striatal thalamo cortical (CSTC) loop. Potential demographic, clinical, psychological, and magnetic resonance imaging predictors of total, motor, and cognitive fatigue were explored using multifactorial linear regression models. RESULTS 53% of pwMS and 20% of NC demonstrated fatigue. Besides demographics and clinical data, total fatigue in pwMS was predicted by higher levels of depression and reduced microstructural tissue integrity in the CSTC loop (adjusted R2 = 0.52, p < 0.001). More specifically, motor fatigue was predicted by lower education, female sex, higher physical disability, higher levels of depression, and self-efficacy (adjusted R2 = 0.54, p < 0.001). Cognitive fatigue was also predicted by higher levels of depression and lower self-efficacy, but in addition by FA reductions in the CSTC loop (adjusted R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that depression and self-efficacy strongly predict fatigue in MS. Incremental variance in total and cognitive fatigue was explained by microstructural changes along the CSTC loop, beyond demographics, clinical, and psychological variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hechenberger
- Medical University of Graz, Research Unit for Neuronal Plasticity and Repair, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Birgit Helmlinger
- Medical University of Graz, Research Unit for Neuronal Plasticity and Repair, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Iris-Katharina Penner
- Department of Neurology. Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Pirpamer
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria; Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC) and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Viktoria Fruhwirth
- Medical University of Graz, Research Unit for Neuronal Plasticity and Repair, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Bettina Heschl
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Ropele
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Sebastian Wurth
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Anna Damulina
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
| | - Sebastian Eppinger
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Division of Neuroradiology & Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Graz, Austria
| | - Rina Demjaha
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Neurology Biomarker Research Unit, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Khalil
- Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Neurology Biomarker Research Unit, Graz, Austria
| | - Daniela Pinter
- Medical University of Graz, Research Unit for Neuronal Plasticity and Repair, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Christian Enzinger
- Medical University of Graz, Research Unit for Neuronal Plasticity and Repair, Graz, Austria; Medical University of Graz, Department of Neurology, Graz, Austria
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Kesselring J, Boyko A, Laroni A, Bharadia T, van Galen P, Alexandri N. Summary of Research: Caregiver Involvement in MS: Duty or Disruption? Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1431-1434. [PMID: 37341902 PMCID: PMC10444929 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00483-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This Summary of Research summarizes a previously published discussion between people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and their caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) about how to include caregivers in consultations and decisions about multiple sclerosis (MS) care. The aim of the discussion was to help HCPs to understand differences in these relationships so they can adapt the style of consultations to support everyone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürg Kesselring
- Department of Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Kliniken Valens Rehazentrum, Valens, Switzerland.
| | - Alexey Boyko
- Institute of Clinical Neurology and Department of Neuroimmunology of the Federal Centre of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies FMBA, Pirogov's Russian National Research Scientific Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alice Laroni
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Trishna Bharadia
- Member of the MS in the 21st Century Steering Group, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Pieter van Galen
- Member of the MS in the 21st Century Steering Group, Overijse, Belgium
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