Episode 324: Avoiding the Risks of Misdiagnosing MS with Dr. Andrew Solomon

MS is misdiagnosed too often, which leaves some people who don't have MS receiving expensive disease-modifying therapy that they don't need, while leaving other people who do have MS still not receiving treatment with a disease-modifying therapy that will slow disability progression and preserve their quality of life longer. My guest, Dr. Andrew Solomon, is the lead author of a paper published by a team of international experts that provides updated guidance for healthcare professionals on clinical approaches to diagnosing MS. Dr. Solomon joins me to discuss why MS can be difficult to diagnose and how that situation can be improved upon. We're also sharing the results of a study that showed how neurofilament light chain levels in the blood can predict MS disability progression one or two years before that worsening occurs. For the past five years, we've been following the path of an investigative stem cell therapy through clinical trials. We'll tell you why the company behind this therapy announced it was stopping its Phase 2 trial. If you're a female living with MS, we're sharing an invitation for you to participate in an important online survey about a topic that's too often overlooked. And we'll tell you about the results of a study that underscore the value and importance of staying on your disease-modifying therapy. We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??! This Week: The risks of misdiagnosing MS  :22 Results from a study show that neurofilament light chain level can predict future disability progression  1:37 We've been following an investigative stem cell therapy since 2018. Now, the company developing this therapy is ending the Phase 2 clinical trial  4:59 If you're a female living with MS, we have an invitation for you to participate in an important survey  7:15 Study results underscore the importance of staying on your disease-modifying therapy  9:01 Dr. Andrew Solomon discusses why MS is difficult to diagnose and what experts are doing about that  12:54 Share this episode  30:41 Have you downloaded the free RealTalk MS app?  31:02 SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/324 ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts! Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 526-2283 And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group! LINKS If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes in the RealTalk MS app or at www.RealTalkMS.com STUDY: Neurofilament Light Chain Elevation and Disability Progression in Multiple Sclerosis https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2811628 SURVEY: Patient Education Preferences Regarding Sexual Health in Women with Multiple Sclerosis https://openredcap.nyumc.org/apps/redcap/surveys/?s=D7L4NKPWMJA98RXP STUDY: Impact of Adherence to Disease-Modifying Drugs in Multiple Sclerosis: A Study on Italian Real-World Data https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211034823005953 Join the RealTalk MS Facebook Group https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms Download the RealTalk MS App for iOS Devices https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id1436917200 Download the RealTalk MS App for Android Deviceshttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.realtalk Give RealTalk MS a rating and review http://www.realtalkms.com/review Follow RealTalk MS on Twitter, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com. RealTalk MS Episode 324 Guest: Dr. Andrew Solomon Privacy Policy