The challenges that clinicians and patients face when selecting first-line treatments for multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Over the past 12 years the treatments available to people with the relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS) have changed dramatically, with the introduction of the disease-modifying therapies (beta-interferons and glatiramer acetate). For clinicians the challenge is to select the most appropriate treatment while considering a myriad of issues such as age, culture, literacy, health literacy, education, treatment history, duration of disease, degree of disability, working status, family support, risk tolerance, social situation, preferences and choices. Patients may have to face up to fears about the future and concerns about managing injections before they even consider which treatment may be better suited to them. MS specialist nurses have a unique role in caring for patients and facilitating the decision-making process.