Understanding Routine Treatment and Resource Availability for Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis in the United Kingdom

Fifty-five to ninety percent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) report disabling fatigue, but a previous survey found that only 31% of UK adults with MS experiencing fatigue report being offered any treatment. The aim of this study was to capture the service perspective of routine care for MS fatigue and resource availability.

A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to NHS services across the United Kingdom to be completed by healthcare professionals working with people with MS.

Eighteen services completed the survey. Services supported a median of 1100 patients. Allied healthcare professional availability varied across services but was generally low (median range 0-6 staff per type). On average, services estimated that only 28% (SD = 26.51) of patients were receiving fatigue treatments.

Findings highlighted the unmet need around MS fatigue management, complementing previously captured patient perspectives. Although the study included a small, self-selecting subset of services and may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, it demonstrates the necessity of accounting for resource availability to successfully implement new fatigue interventions.