Strategies in Treating Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Patricia K. Coyle, MD, highlights revisions to the McDonald diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis and emphasizes why health care professionals need to start referring to the criteria in a more standard fashion.

Clyde E. Markowitz, MD, comments on the growing role of magnetic resonance imaging to help diagnose multiple sclerosis and highlights characteristics of lesions he looks at during a diagnostic evaluation.

An overview of the clinical subtypes of multiple sclerosis and factors that help neurologists distinguish between each type for an appropriate diagnosis.

The rationale for initiating aggressive therapy early on to treat patients who present with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Dr Patricia K. Coyle, of the Stony Brook Neurosciences Institute, comments on her approach to selecting first-line therapy to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, explaining how she selects between a lower-risk or high-efficacy therapy.

Robert Fox, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic, comments on the advantage of starting treatment with a high-efficacy therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and explains his approach to counseling patients when selecting treatment. 

An overview of high-efficacy therapies available to treat patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Impressions of exam results and the prognosis for a 35-year-old man who presents with progressive numbness and weakness in his left arm and leg.

Implications for initiating treatment with a high-efficacy therapy for a 35-year-old man who presents with progressive numbness and weakness in his left arm and leg.

The rationale for treating patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis with ofatumumab based on data revealed by the ASCLEPIOS I and ASCLEPIOS II trials.

Important considerations regarding the use of anti-CD20 therapies such as ofatumumab to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies that can help neurologists talk with patients about drug use and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Clyde E. Markowitz, MD, reacts to how he would manage a 25-year-old woman who presents with 2 weeks of progressive left-sided monocular vision loss and pain with eye movement, but reports no other symptoms or significant history.

Factors that impact treatment selection for a 25-year-old woman who presents with relapsing multiple sclerosis, including the patient’s interest in becoming pregnant.

Recommendations regarding how to monitor patients who receive therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and to conduct repeat imaging assessments appropriately.

Factors that may warrant a switch in therapy to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Drs Patricia K. Coyle and Robert Fox comment on approaching multiple sclerosis relapses as early as possible with high-efficacy therapy.

Exciting strategies and biomarkers being investigated to improve the evaluation and treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Gaps in care that neurologists experience when treating patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and considerations for recommending lifestyle modifications to help manage symptoms.

Advice to community physicians and neurologists who play a role in caring for patients with multiple sclerosis in community practices on optimizing therapy with high-efficacy and newer treatment options.