Multiple Sclerosis Nursing to Improve Care and Education (MSNICE): an observational study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Outcomes

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease impacting quality of life.
• The role of specialized nurses, such as Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (MS-nurses), in managing MS patient outcomes is increasingly recognized.
• Understanding the impact of MS-nurse access on patient-reported outcomes and healthcare resource utilization is crucial for optimizing care delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differences in patient-reported outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and expenditures among persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) with and without access to an MS-nurse.
• To evaluate the impact of MS-nurse availability on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disease knowledge.

Main Methods:

• An observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected from 334 pwMS across 19 centers (7 with MS-nurses, 12 without).
• Primary outcome: Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29). Secondary outcomes: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, coping measures, health-economic parameters, and disease knowledge.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found in MSIS-29 scores, depression, anxiety, or health expenditures between pwMS with and without MS-nurse access.
• PwMS receiving care at centers with an MS-nurse exhibited significantly higher MS-disease knowledge compared to those without (p < .001).

Conclusions:

• Access to an MS-nurse did not correlate with significant differences in HRQoL or healthcare expenditures for pwMS.
• MS-nurses play a vital role in enhancing MS-specific knowledge, potentially improving self-efficacy and treatment adherence.
• Further research may explore the nuanced benefits of MS-nurse support on patient education and adherence.