Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know about Multiple Sclerosis

J Palliat Med. 2023 Nov;26(11):1555-1561. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0179. Epub 2023 Apr 17.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, neurodegenerative condition of the central nervous system, with distinct challenges due to its heterogeneous presentation, prognostic uncertainty, and variable clinical course of neurological and non-neurological symptoms and disability. Although there have been significant advances in management of MS, many patients experience disability progression. Despite MS being a frequent cause of neurological disability, particularly in young persons, involvement of palliative care physicians in the care of patients with MS has been limited. This article provides ten tips for palliative clinicians for caring for patients with MS and their care partners.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; nonpharmacological management; palliative care; pharmacological management; prognostic uncertainty; psychological distress.

MeSH terms

  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis* / therapy
  • Palliative Care
  • Prognosis