Multiple Sclerosis Patient Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Practical Recommendations From the Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (GEEM)

The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant challenges on healthcare provision, requiring changes in the conventional patient management, particularly in chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). To increase patient safety and reduce the risk of infection, while ensuring an appropriate and regular follow-up, tele-medicine gained prominence as a valid alternative to face-to-face appointments. However, the urgency of the implementation and the lack of experience in most MS centers led to “ad hoc” and extremely diverse approaches, which now merit to be standardized and refined. Indeed, while tele-consultation cannot fully replace face-to-face visits, it certainly can, and will, be incorporated as part of the routine care of MS patients in the near future. Bearing this in mind, the Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (GEEM) has developed a set of recommendations for the usage of tele-medicine in the management of MS patients, both during the pandemic and in the future. The consensus was obtained through a two-step modified Delphi methodology, resulting in 15 recommendations, which are detailed in the manuscript.

International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group criteria for pediatric multiple sclerosis and immune-mediated central nervous system demyelinating disorders: revisions to the 2007 definitions

Background: There has been tremendous growth in research in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) and immune mediated central nervous system demyelinating disorders since operational definitions for these conditions were first proposed in 2007. Further, the International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG), which proposed the criteria, has expanded substantially in membership and in its international scope. Objective: The purpose of this review is to revise the 2007 definitions in order to incorporate advances in delineating the clinical and neuroradiologic features of these disorders. Methods: Through a consensus process, in which input was sought from the 150 members of the Study Group, criteria were drafted, revised and finalized. Final approval was sought through a web survey. Results: Revised criteria are proposed for pediatric acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, pediatric clinically isolated syndrome, pediatric neuromyelitis optica and pediatric MS. These criteria were approved by 93% or more of the 56 Study Group members who responded to the final survey. Conclusions: These definitions are proposed for clinical and research purposes. Their utility will depend on the outcomes of their application in prospective research.

Paediatric multiple sclerosis: examining utility of the McDonald 2010 criteria

The new McDonald 2010 criteria have been recommended in paediatric multiple sclerosis (PMS). We aimed to assess the utility of McDonald 2010 criteria in comparison with 2007 International Paediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group (IPMSSG)-recommended criteria for PMS diagnosis. Retrospective analysis of 38 PMS cases from three UK demyelination clinics was conducted. Dissemination in space (DIS) and time (DIT) for both McDonald and IPMSSG criteria were noted on initial and follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At first MRI scan, IPMSSG DIS criteria were fulfilled in 68% of scans and McDonald DIS criteria in 84%. In total, 11/18 children given gadolinium contrast fulfilled both McDonald DIS and DIT criteria on initial scan. The 2010 McDonald criteria appear more sensitive than IPMSSG and may allow PMS diagnosis at first presentation of CIS in at least a half of cases.