Review: Patient-reported outcomes in multiple sclerosis care

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Research
• Patient-Centered Care

Background:

• Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are increasingly vital in multiple sclerosis (MS) research and clinical practice.
• PROs capture patient experiences including symptoms, function, health status, and quality of life.
• Current use of PROs in MS lacks universal guidance and often involves tools of inadequate psychometric quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the importance and methods of using PROs in multiple sclerosis.
• To define and identify PROs currently utilized in MS research and practice.
• To outline challenges and future directions for integrating PROs into MS clinical management.

Main Methods:

• Perspective review of existing literature and practices regarding PROs in MS.
• Identification and definition of commonly used PRO tools in multiple sclerosis.
• Analysis of challenges and opportunities for routine PRO implementation.

Main Results:

• PROs are essential for patient-centered therapeutic management in MS.
• There is a significant need for developing high-quality, MS-specific PROs.
• Current PRO selection and application in MS often lack clear justification and adequate psychometric validation.

Conclusions:

• High-quality, MS-specific PROs are necessary to accurately assess patient concerns and treatment impacts.
• Standardized guidance and improved psychometric properties are needed for PRO tools in MS.
• Accelerating the integration of PROs into routine MS clinical management is a key future goal.