Opinion|Videos|December 16, 2024
Addressing PIRA in Clinical Practice and Patient Conversations
Author(s)Gabriel Pardo, MD, FAAN, Martin Belkin, DO
Key Takeaways
- Cladribine reduces disability accumulation in both treatment-naive and previously treated patients, highlighting the importance of early therapy initiation.
- High-efficacy DMTs, including ocrelizumab, ofatumumab, and S1P receptor modulators, effectively manage PIRA and mitigate disability progression.
Panelists discuss how in managing multiple sclerosis (MS), clinicians must adopt a comprehensive approach to progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) that prioritizes early detection, transparent communication, and patient empowerment. By integrating regular cognitive assessments, providing compassionate and clear explanations, and emphasizing proactive management strategies, physicians can help patients navigate the complex cognitive landscape of MS, ultimately preserving quality of life and fostering patient resilience in the face of neurological challenges.
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Video content above is prompted by the following:
- Considering this data, how should MS specialists and other clinicians be thinking about PIRA in everyday clinical practice?
- How should physicians communicate PIRA with patients?
- Why is it important to think about cognitive health in MS and to talk to patients about it?
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