Multiple sclerosis spasticity: ‘state-of-the-art’ questionnaire survey of specialized healthcare professionals

Abstract

Spasticity (muscle rigidity and spasms) is a frequent and disabling feature of multiple sclerosis (MS), and it can have a marked negative impact on the patient’s overall wellbeing and quality of life through a range of symptoms including impaired mobility, bladder dysfunction, stiffness, spasms and sleep disorders. Numerous antispastic agents such as baclofen and tizanidine, as well as others, are available for the management of MS spasticity but, overall, they offer limited clinical benefit. The current questionnaire survey assessed the epidemiology and management of MS spasticity globally and across the EU, among 157 healthcare professionals (>95% of all respondents were neurologists) attending a large, international MS congress (European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis, Lyon, France, 10–13 October 2012). Survey results showed similarity between the EU and rest-of-world respondents in the epidemiology of MS spasticity, the use of assessment tools to monitor patients, the incidence and severity of symptoms, and management options. Respondents indicated that approximately 40% of their MS patients had spasticity and it was rated as mild in approximately 40%, moderate in 35% and severe in 25% of patients. At least 40% of practitioners were dissatisfied with treatment options in their patients with moderate-to-severe MS; this highlights the unmet needs and challenges facing specialists in the management of MS patients with moderate-to-severe spasticity.