EAN 2022 | Strategies to address the burden of MS from the individual and societal perspectives

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease with onset usually occurring in early adulthood and progressing toward continuous, permanent dysfunction and disability. Giancarlo Comi, MD, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy, comments on the impact of the burden of MS. Since MS is a debilitating disease that impacts patients throughout most of their lives, it is associated with a relevant individual burden but also a social burden. Various studies have shown how MS affects the economic status and working activity of patients, which inevitably impact the community as well. Better approaches should be implemented to address the burden associated with the disease. Treatment optimization is critical since it can improve the patient’s quality of life and reduce costs related to treatment. Promoting the use of organizational strategies to deal with MS can also help lift the disease burden, particularly the implementation of MS care units that have all the competencies needed to face all aspects of the disease and provide optimal patient care. This interview took place at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) 2022 Congress in Vienna, Austria.