Biogen data presented at MS Virtual 2020, ACTRIMS/ECTRIMS meeting advances understanding of clinical and health disparities in Multiple Sclerosis .

Biogen Inc. announced findings from two large, real-world studies that provide insight into the clinical and health disparities that exist for people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) . These data, from MS PATHS (Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions) and the North American Registry for Care and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (NARCRMS), will be presented during MSVirtual 2020 , the eighth joint meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis and the European Committee for Treatment Real-World Evidence Characterizes Health Inequities for Black and Hispanic People With MS.: Real-world data from the NARCRMS registry , a longitudinal database of more than 700 people living with MS in the U.S. and Canada, show that ethnic and racial disparities exist related to occupation, income status, MS-related disability and type of treatment used. Black people with MS were more likely to be unemployed and earn less annual income compared to white people, despite comparable educational levels. Researchers also found twice as many Black people with MS had substantial MS-related disability compared to white patients. Additionally, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black individuals with MS were also less likely to use a DMT than white non-Hispanic individuals. Additional data being presented at MSVirtual2020 from MS PATHS , a collaboration between Biogen and leading MS centers in the U.S. and Europe to create a standardized, high-quality data repository from a diverse real-world population, support these findings. The results show that Hispanic Americans with MS are younger at age of onset and diagnosis, with higher levels of cognitive and manual dexterity impairment when compared to their white non-Hispanic counterparts. The research is designed to help build awareness of critical issues of health inequity and inform treatment data gaps. Standardized Tests Act as Predictor of Employment Status Amongst People With MS :In a new analysis from MS PATHS, researchers utilized the Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT) to quantify MS-related disability in MS patients based on their cognitive and motor performance and then assessed whether individuals’ scores correlated with their employment status over time. The results show that individuals with MS who demonstrated worsening disability based on walking speed, manual dexterity and cognitive processing speed were more likely to be unemployed at two years. Future research will inform early risk factors for these benchmarks that may inform potential employment preservation strategies. Cognitive difficulties and fatigue have been associated with reduced work productivity in people living with MS. In a prior independent study, real-world data showed that less than half of working age respondents with MS were gainfully employed or self-employed, with 62 percent reporting the unemployment was due to their disease. To help address this, Biogen is working to develop new tools to improve the way healthcare providers monitor for cognitive and other symptoms of MS both in and out of the clinic. CogEval, a free iPad-based app that allows healthcare providers to routinely track and evaluate symptoms of cognitive dysfunction in people with MS, is now available in 39 countries and 22 languages. Konectom is a smartphone based digital platform that enables individuals with MS to quantitatively self-assess neurological disability and has potential applications for clinical research and real-world use.