The Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry (SMSR): study protocol of a participatory, nationwide registry to promote epidemiological and patient-centered MS research.

Steinemann, Nina; Kuhle, Jens; Calabrese, Pasquale; Kesselring, Jürg; Disanto, Giulio; Merkler, Doron; Pot, Caroline; Ajdacic-Gross, Vladeta; Rodgers, Stephanie; Puhan, Milo Alan; von Wyl, Viktor (2018). The Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry (SMSR): study protocol of a participatory, nationwide registry to promote epidemiological and patient-centered MS research. BMC neurology, 18(1), p. 111. BioMed Central 10.1186/s12883-018-1118-0

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BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most frequently observed neurological conditions in Switzerland, but data sources for country-wide epidemiological trend monitoring are lacking. Moreover, while clinical and laboratory MS research are generally well established, there is a gap in patient-centered MS research to inform care management, or treatment decisions and policy making not only in Switzerland but worldwide.

METHODS

In light of these research gaps, the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society initiated and funded the Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Registry (SMSR) an open-ended, longitudinal and prospective, nationwide, patient-centered study. The SMSR recruits adult persons with a suspected or confirmed MS diagnosis who reside or receive care in Switzerland. The SMSR has established a governance structure with clear rules and guidelines. It follows a citizen-science approach with direct involvement of persons with MS (PwMS), who contribute actively to registry development, operations, and research. Main scientific goals entail the study of MS epidemiology in Switzerland, health care access and provision, as well as life circumstances and wellbeing of persons with MS. The innovative study design ("layer model") offers several participation options with different time commitments. Data collection is by means of regular surveys and medical record abstraction. Survey participation is offered in different modes (web, paper & pencil) and in the three main national languages (German, French, Italian). Participants also receive regular data feedbacks for personal use and self-monitoring, contextualized in the whole population of study participants. Data feedbacks are also used to solicit data corrections of key variables from participants.

DISCUSSION

The SMSR combines the advantages of traditional and novel research methods in medical research and has recruited over 1600 PwMS in its first year. The future-oriented design and technology will enable a response not only to future technological innovations and research trends, but also to challenges in health care provision for MS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov   NCT02980640 ; December 6, 2016; retrospectively registered.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Theodor Kocher Institute

Subjects:

600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health
500 Science > 570 Life sciences; biology

ISSN:

1471-2377

Publisher:

BioMed Central

Language:

English

Submitter:

Ursula Zingg-Zünd

Date Deposited:

12 Apr 2019 11:10

Last Modified:

28 Nov 2020 02:29

Publisher DOI:

10.1186/s12883-018-1118-0

PubMed ID:

30103695

Additional Information:

MS ist das Forschungsgebiet von Frau Professor Britta Engelhardt. Sie hat aber auch als Board Member der MS Stiftung an dieser Publikation mitgearbeitet und ihr Name erscheint auch in der Publikation.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Epidemiology Health-related quality of life Multiple sclerosis Patient-reported outcomes Switzerland

BORIS DOI:

10.7892/boris.124082

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/124082

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