PANORAMA: A 2021 Clinician Survey of Treatment Approaches for People With New Diagnoses of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

Background: The PANORAMA survey aimed to assess current treatment practice for individuals with new diagnoses of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) in the United Kingdom and to explore variations in treatment approaches with an emphasis on escalation vs early high-efficacy treatment (HET) and treatment goals.

Methods: Health care professionals (HCPs) from the UK treating patients with RRMS took part in interviews facilitated by a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively using quantitative or qualitative methods, as appropriate.

Results: Thirty-eight HCPs from 38 UK centers took part in the survey, including 20 MS consultants and 13 MS specialist nurses. Seventy-four percent (n = 28 of 38) of HCPs strongly agreed and 24% (9 of 38) agreed that early treatment is essential for better outcomes. HCPs reported that they currently treat a mean (SD) of 58.3% (20.8%) and 42.1% (21.8%) of patients with new diagnoses of RRMS with early HET or escalation approaches, respectively. Thirty-four percent (13 of 38) of HCPs reported a discrepancy between current treatment approach and the approach they would like to take, which would be 66.2% favoring early HET and 33.8% favoring escalation approaches. The factors influencing the choice of treatment approach were overall patient health profile (45%, 17 of 38) and patient choice (39%, 15 of 38). The most important treatment goals were to reduce relapses (63%, 24 of 38), delay disability progression (58%, 22 of 38), and maintain quality of life (50%, 19 of 38).

Conclusions: The survey highlights variation among HCPs in the UK in current vs ideal use of escalation or early HET approaches and factors influencing choice of treatment approach.