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agate
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 Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: (Abstract) Atlas of MS, WHO/MSIF |
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From the 22nd congress of ECTRIMS (European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis), Madrid, 9/29/06:
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Epidemiology
Friday, September 29, 2006, 15:30 - 17:00
Atlas of Multiple Sclerosis, WHO/MSIF
A.J. Thompson, M.A. Battaglia, B. Porter, T. Dua, P.J. Rompani, I. Douglas (London, UK; Genoa, I; Geneva, CH)
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common primary neurological disorder of young adults in most parts of the world. Although some patients experience little disability during their lifetime, up to 60% are no longer fully ambulatory 20 years after onset. Such functional decline often interferes with patients’ opportunities to perform customary roles and has negative consequences for their quality of life.
Because the onset of MS is typically at about age 30, patients’ loss in productivity can be substantial and the financial cost to society is great. Both patients and their family members also bear a financial burden.
The information about resources available within countries worldwide to tackle the huge medical, social and economic burden caused by MS is lacking. To fill this information gap, a survey of country resources available to diagnose, inform, treat, support and care for people with MS is being conducted within the framework of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Project Atlas. It represents a major collaborative effort involving WHO and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF) and its members.
Methodology: Data is being collected in the form of a questionnaire from key persons identified by the WHO and MSIF in every country with a significant prevalence of MS. Countries are grouped into the six WHO regions and four World Bank income categories.
Data collection and presentation: The Atlas of MS presents information in 4 broad sections; (1)MS: the disorder; (2) services; (3) care-providers; (4) public health aspects. The data included is organized in themes and is presented as graphics, world maps and written text. The results are presented as global, WHO regions and income categories within each theme.
Selected limitations specific to each theme are highlighted and need to be considered when interpreting the data and their analyses. The Atlas also includes brief reviews of selected topics summarizing the medical, lifestyle, social and economic issues surrounding people with MS.
Conclusions: The results confirm that resources for MS diagnosis, treatment, care and support vary widely between countries, and in many cases appear grossly inadequate compared to the needs exhibited in most countries. The value of the Atlas is in replacing impressions and opinions with facts and figures. We hope that the realities uncovered by the Atlas will motivate governments and health care providers to improve MS treatment and care.
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