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Singer BA, Feng J, Chiong-Rivero H. Early use of high-efficacy therapies in multiple sclerosis in the United States: benefits, barriers, and strategies for encouraging adoption. J Neurol 2024; 271:3116-3130. [PMID: 38615277 PMCID: PMC11136864 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12305-4] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by progressive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration from disease onset that, if left untreated, can result in the accumulation of irreversible neurological disability. Early intervention with high-efficacy therapies (HETs) is increasingly recognized as the best strategy to delay or mitigate disease progression from the earliest stages of the disease and to prevent long-term neurodegeneration. Although there is growing clinical and real-world evidence supporting early HET intervention, foregoing this strategy in favor of a traditional escalation approach prioritizing lower-efficacy disease-modifying therapies remains a common approach in clinical practice. This review explores potential health care professional- and patient-related barriers to the early use of HETs in patients with MS in the United States. Barriers can include regulatory and reimbursement restrictions; knowledge gaps and long-term safety concerns among health care professionals; and various individual, cultural, and societal factors affecting patients. Potential strategies for overcoming these barriers and encouraging early HET use are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry A Singer
- The MS Center for Innovations in Care, Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Jenny Feng
- Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Patel S, Rafferty S, Aquino L, Chadha S, Ginocchio R, Cyr B, Fedorko J, Imitola J. VISIBL-MS: A bilingual educational framework to increase awareness of early multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler 2024; 30:585-593. [PMID: 38357863 PMCID: PMC11010545 DOI: 10.1177/13524585241228739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advancements in treatments of multiple sclerosis (MS), there is a lack of awareness of early MS symptoms, especially in students and the public, contributing to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This review aims to identify gaps in tools to increase awareness and to provide a bilingual framework to facilitate recognition of early MS symptoms. METHODS We performed a literature review to determine the use of English and Spanish mnemonics in MS education for medical students and patients. RESULTS There is no educational tool to help remember the early signs of MS at present. Here we present a framework for early awareness encompassed in the bilingual mnemonics VISIBLY (English) and VISIBLE (Spanish). VISIBLY stands for (1) Vision changes: Painful vision loss, loss of color vision or double vision; (2) Belly or Back numbness and Balance issues; (3) Limb weakness or Numbness; (4), Young people. Spanish version is included in the manuscript. CONCLUSION We posit that VISIBL-MS provides a framework for MS awareness that addresses the interconnection between language, culture, health literacy, and health outcomes and can be a useful educational tool to tackle the effects of health literacy on diverse communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Patel
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Seamus Rafferty
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Laura Aquino
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Undergraduate Programs, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Saloni Chadha
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, FL, USA
| | - Richard Ginocchio
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Undergraduate Programs, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Brooke Cyr
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Undergraduate Programs, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT, USA
| | - Joshua Fedorko
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, Quinnipiac University, North Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jaime Imitola
- Division of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology and Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Center, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
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Tzeng CFT, Swoboda T, Huggins C, D’Etienne J, Wang H. Risks Associated with Quality Care among Hispanic and White Populations-A Cross-Sectional Comparison Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:250. [PMID: 38275530 PMCID: PMC10815774 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12020250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Quality care in healthcare is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the execution of effective medical treatments and the patient's overall experience. It involves a multitude of factors, including effectiveness, safety, timeliness, equity, and patient centeredness, which are important in shaping the healthcare landscape. This cross-sectional study used the data from the Health Information National Trends Survey 6 (HINTS 6), which collects data on various aspects of health communication and information-seeking behaviors, to investigate the factors associated with quality care among White and Hispanic populations. All adults who participated in HINTS 6 and visited healthcare service at least once in the past 12 months were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between quality care and delay or discriminated care with the adjustment of all other sociodemographic variables. We analyzed a total of 3611 participants. Poor social determinants of health (SDOHs) (OR 0.61, CI 0.43-0.88, p = 0.008), delayed needed medical care (OR 0.34, CI 0.26-0.43, p < 0.001), and discriminated care (OR 0.29, CI 0.15-0.54, p < 0.001) were all negatively associated with optimal quality care. Negative SDOHs could also be positively associated with delayed care and discriminated care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Fang Tiffany Tzeng
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor & Scott White All Saints Medical Center, 1400 8th Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA
| | - Thomas Swoboda
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The Valley Health System, Touro University Nevada School of Osteopathic Medicine, 657 N. Town Center Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89144, USA
| | - Charles Huggins
- Department of Emergency Medicine, JPS Health Network, 1500 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA (J.D.)
| | - James D’Etienne
- Department of Emergency Medicine, JPS Health Network, 1500 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA (J.D.)
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, JPS Health Network, 1500 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA (J.D.)
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