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MS: Partnering With Patients to Improve Health
Sharon, a 19-year-old woman, has a history of right optic neuritis and paraparesis that occurred 2 years ago. At that time, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was confirmed by a brain MRI and lumbar puncture. She has been taking disease-modifying therapy for 2 years and rarely misses a dose. Lately, however, she has experienced worsening symptoms and feels that her MS is progressing. Her neurologist doesn’t agree; he informs her that a recent MRI shows no changes, and her neurologic examination is within normal limits. At his suggestion, she presents to her primary care provider for an annual check-up.
HISTORY & PHYSICAL EXAM
Sharon’s height is 5 ft 2 in and her weight, 170 lb. Her blood pressure is 140/88 mm Hg and pulse, 80 beats/min and regular. Review of systems is remarkable for fatigue, visual changes when she is overheated, and weight gain of about 50 lb during the past year. Her lungs are clear to percussion and auscultation.
Her current medications include oral disease-modifying therapy, which she takes daily; an oral contraceptive (for regulation of her menstrual cycle; she says she is not sexually active); and an occasional pain reliever for headache.
CLINICAL IMPRESSION
Following history-taking and examination, the clinician notes the following impressions about Sharon’s health status:
Obesity: Examination reveals an overweight female with a BMI of 31.1.
Physical inactivity: As a legal secretary, Sharon sits at her desk most of the day. Her exercise is limited to walking to and from the bus to get to work. She has limited time for social activities due to fatigue. She spends most of her time watching television or visiting her parents.
Heat intolerance: While describing her lifestyle, Sharon notes that she does not participate in outdoor activity due to heat intolerance.
Continue to: Ambulation difficulty
Ambulation difficulty: Sharon’s walking and balance are worse than they were 6 months ago—a problem she relates to her MS, not her increased weight. She walks with a wide-based ataxic gait and transfers with difficulty, using the arms of her chair to stand up.
Poor nutritional habits: Sharon reports an irregular diet with an occasional breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and a microwavable meal for dinner. Between meals, she snacks on nutrition bars, chocolate, and hot and cold coffee.
Smoking: Sharon smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily.
Headache: As noted, Sharon reports occasional analgesic use for relief of headache pain.
The clinician’s impression is as follows: relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy; obesity; ambulation difficulty; heat intolerance; sedentary lifestyle; and headache. In addition, the patient has the following risk factors: smoking; suboptimal activity and exercise; and poor nutritional habits.
Continue to: DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
Sharon has relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy. But she also demonstrates or reports several independent risk factors, including borderline hypertension; obesity; inadequate diet; lack of activity and exercise; and possible lack of insight into her disease.1
The plan of care for Sharon should include a review of her MS disease course. As this is explained, it is important to emphasize how adherence to the care plan will yield positive outcomes from the treatment. For example, the patient should understand that the underlying cause of damage in MS is related to the immune system. Providing this education might involve 1 or 2 sessions with written material, simple graphics, and explanation on how disease-modifying therapies work. Even a simple statement such as
The next step is to review Sharon’s risk factors for worsening MS, along with the impact these have on her general health. This might entail a long discussion focusing on the patient’s diet, minimal activity and exercise, and smoking. Sharon’s provider explained how all 3 factors can contribute to poor general health and have been shown to negatively affect MS. There is a general impression that wellness and neurologic diseases such as MS are disconnected. The clinician must “reconnect” the 2 through encouragement, education, and coaching.
By working closely with the patient and providing the education to help her make informed decisions about her health, the clinician can develop a plan to implement that has the patient’s full support. For a patient like Sharon, this includes
- Dietary modifications to improve nutrition and promote healthy weight loss
- A program of daily walking to improve stamina and support the patient’s weight loss program2
- Smoking cessation, including participation in a local support group of former smokers.3
Continue to: In Sharon's case...
In Sharon’s case, both she and her clinician agreed that it was important to meet regularly to assess progress toward their mutually agreed-upon goals. It is not enough to devise a plan—providers need to support patients in their efforts to improve their health. Meeting regularly can motivate patients to stay on track, and it gives providers an opportunity to address problems or concerns that might interfere with the patient’s progress.
1. Dalgas U, Stenager E. Exercise and disease progression in multiple sclerosis: can exercise slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis? Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(2):81-95.
2. Gianfrancesco MA, Barcellos LF. Obesity and multiple sclerosis susceptibility: a review. J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016:1(7):1-5.
3. Healy BC, Eman A, Guttmann CRG, et al. Smoking and disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 2009;66(7):858-864.
Clinician Reviews in partnership with
MS Consult is edited by Colleen J. Harris, MN, NP, MSCN, Nurse Practitioner/Manager of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Bryan Walker, MHS, PA-C, who is in the Department of Neurology, Division of MS and Neuroimmunology, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
June Halper is CEO of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and practices at the MS Center of the New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, and at primary care clinic.
Clinician Reviews in partnership with
MS Consult is edited by Colleen J. Harris, MN, NP, MSCN, Nurse Practitioner/Manager of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Bryan Walker, MHS, PA-C, who is in the Department of Neurology, Division of MS and Neuroimmunology, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
June Halper is CEO of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and practices at the MS Center of the New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, and at primary care clinic.
Clinician Reviews in partnership with
MS Consult is edited by Colleen J. Harris, MN, NP, MSCN, Nurse Practitioner/Manager of the Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Bryan Walker, MHS, PA-C, who is in the Department of Neurology, Division of MS and Neuroimmunology, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
June Halper is CEO of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers and practices at the MS Center of the New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, and at primary care clinic.
Sharon, a 19-year-old woman, has a history of right optic neuritis and paraparesis that occurred 2 years ago. At that time, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was confirmed by a brain MRI and lumbar puncture. She has been taking disease-modifying therapy for 2 years and rarely misses a dose. Lately, however, she has experienced worsening symptoms and feels that her MS is progressing. Her neurologist doesn’t agree; he informs her that a recent MRI shows no changes, and her neurologic examination is within normal limits. At his suggestion, she presents to her primary care provider for an annual check-up.
HISTORY & PHYSICAL EXAM
Sharon’s height is 5 ft 2 in and her weight, 170 lb. Her blood pressure is 140/88 mm Hg and pulse, 80 beats/min and regular. Review of systems is remarkable for fatigue, visual changes when she is overheated, and weight gain of about 50 lb during the past year. Her lungs are clear to percussion and auscultation.
Her current medications include oral disease-modifying therapy, which she takes daily; an oral contraceptive (for regulation of her menstrual cycle; she says she is not sexually active); and an occasional pain reliever for headache.
CLINICAL IMPRESSION
Following history-taking and examination, the clinician notes the following impressions about Sharon’s health status:
Obesity: Examination reveals an overweight female with a BMI of 31.1.
Physical inactivity: As a legal secretary, Sharon sits at her desk most of the day. Her exercise is limited to walking to and from the bus to get to work. She has limited time for social activities due to fatigue. She spends most of her time watching television or visiting her parents.
Heat intolerance: While describing her lifestyle, Sharon notes that she does not participate in outdoor activity due to heat intolerance.
Continue to: Ambulation difficulty
Ambulation difficulty: Sharon’s walking and balance are worse than they were 6 months ago—a problem she relates to her MS, not her increased weight. She walks with a wide-based ataxic gait and transfers with difficulty, using the arms of her chair to stand up.
Poor nutritional habits: Sharon reports an irregular diet with an occasional breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and a microwavable meal for dinner. Between meals, she snacks on nutrition bars, chocolate, and hot and cold coffee.
Smoking: Sharon smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily.
Headache: As noted, Sharon reports occasional analgesic use for relief of headache pain.
The clinician’s impression is as follows: relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy; obesity; ambulation difficulty; heat intolerance; sedentary lifestyle; and headache. In addition, the patient has the following risk factors: smoking; suboptimal activity and exercise; and poor nutritional habits.
Continue to: DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
Sharon has relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy. But she also demonstrates or reports several independent risk factors, including borderline hypertension; obesity; inadequate diet; lack of activity and exercise; and possible lack of insight into her disease.1
The plan of care for Sharon should include a review of her MS disease course. As this is explained, it is important to emphasize how adherence to the care plan will yield positive outcomes from the treatment. For example, the patient should understand that the underlying cause of damage in MS is related to the immune system. Providing this education might involve 1 or 2 sessions with written material, simple graphics, and explanation on how disease-modifying therapies work. Even a simple statement such as
The next step is to review Sharon’s risk factors for worsening MS, along with the impact these have on her general health. This might entail a long discussion focusing on the patient’s diet, minimal activity and exercise, and smoking. Sharon’s provider explained how all 3 factors can contribute to poor general health and have been shown to negatively affect MS. There is a general impression that wellness and neurologic diseases such as MS are disconnected. The clinician must “reconnect” the 2 through encouragement, education, and coaching.
By working closely with the patient and providing the education to help her make informed decisions about her health, the clinician can develop a plan to implement that has the patient’s full support. For a patient like Sharon, this includes
- Dietary modifications to improve nutrition and promote healthy weight loss
- A program of daily walking to improve stamina and support the patient’s weight loss program2
- Smoking cessation, including participation in a local support group of former smokers.3
Continue to: In Sharon's case...
In Sharon’s case, both she and her clinician agreed that it was important to meet regularly to assess progress toward their mutually agreed-upon goals. It is not enough to devise a plan—providers need to support patients in their efforts to improve their health. Meeting regularly can motivate patients to stay on track, and it gives providers an opportunity to address problems or concerns that might interfere with the patient’s progress.
Sharon, a 19-year-old woman, has a history of right optic neuritis and paraparesis that occurred 2 years ago. At that time, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) was confirmed by a brain MRI and lumbar puncture. She has been taking disease-modifying therapy for 2 years and rarely misses a dose. Lately, however, she has experienced worsening symptoms and feels that her MS is progressing. Her neurologist doesn’t agree; he informs her that a recent MRI shows no changes, and her neurologic examination is within normal limits. At his suggestion, she presents to her primary care provider for an annual check-up.
HISTORY & PHYSICAL EXAM
Sharon’s height is 5 ft 2 in and her weight, 170 lb. Her blood pressure is 140/88 mm Hg and pulse, 80 beats/min and regular. Review of systems is remarkable for fatigue, visual changes when she is overheated, and weight gain of about 50 lb during the past year. Her lungs are clear to percussion and auscultation.
Her current medications include oral disease-modifying therapy, which she takes daily; an oral contraceptive (for regulation of her menstrual cycle; she says she is not sexually active); and an occasional pain reliever for headache.
CLINICAL IMPRESSION
Following history-taking and examination, the clinician notes the following impressions about Sharon’s health status:
Obesity: Examination reveals an overweight female with a BMI of 31.1.
Physical inactivity: As a legal secretary, Sharon sits at her desk most of the day. Her exercise is limited to walking to and from the bus to get to work. She has limited time for social activities due to fatigue. She spends most of her time watching television or visiting her parents.
Heat intolerance: While describing her lifestyle, Sharon notes that she does not participate in outdoor activity due to heat intolerance.
Continue to: Ambulation difficulty
Ambulation difficulty: Sharon’s walking and balance are worse than they were 6 months ago—a problem she relates to her MS, not her increased weight. She walks with a wide-based ataxic gait and transfers with difficulty, using the arms of her chair to stand up.
Poor nutritional habits: Sharon reports an irregular diet with an occasional breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and a microwavable meal for dinner. Between meals, she snacks on nutrition bars, chocolate, and hot and cold coffee.
Smoking: Sharon smokes 1 pack of cigarettes daily.
Headache: As noted, Sharon reports occasional analgesic use for relief of headache pain.
The clinician’s impression is as follows: relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy; obesity; ambulation difficulty; heat intolerance; sedentary lifestyle; and headache. In addition, the patient has the following risk factors: smoking; suboptimal activity and exercise; and poor nutritional habits.
Continue to: DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION
Sharon has relapsing MS treated with disease-modifying therapy. But she also demonstrates or reports several independent risk factors, including borderline hypertension; obesity; inadequate diet; lack of activity and exercise; and possible lack of insight into her disease.1
The plan of care for Sharon should include a review of her MS disease course. As this is explained, it is important to emphasize how adherence to the care plan will yield positive outcomes from the treatment. For example, the patient should understand that the underlying cause of damage in MS is related to the immune system. Providing this education might involve 1 or 2 sessions with written material, simple graphics, and explanation on how disease-modifying therapies work. Even a simple statement such as
The next step is to review Sharon’s risk factors for worsening MS, along with the impact these have on her general health. This might entail a long discussion focusing on the patient’s diet, minimal activity and exercise, and smoking. Sharon’s provider explained how all 3 factors can contribute to poor general health and have been shown to negatively affect MS. There is a general impression that wellness and neurologic diseases such as MS are disconnected. The clinician must “reconnect” the 2 through encouragement, education, and coaching.
By working closely with the patient and providing the education to help her make informed decisions about her health, the clinician can develop a plan to implement that has the patient’s full support. For a patient like Sharon, this includes
- Dietary modifications to improve nutrition and promote healthy weight loss
- A program of daily walking to improve stamina and support the patient’s weight loss program2
- Smoking cessation, including participation in a local support group of former smokers.3
Continue to: In Sharon's case...
In Sharon’s case, both she and her clinician agreed that it was important to meet regularly to assess progress toward their mutually agreed-upon goals. It is not enough to devise a plan—providers need to support patients in their efforts to improve their health. Meeting regularly can motivate patients to stay on track, and it gives providers an opportunity to address problems or concerns that might interfere with the patient’s progress.
1. Dalgas U, Stenager E. Exercise and disease progression in multiple sclerosis: can exercise slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis? Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(2):81-95.
2. Gianfrancesco MA, Barcellos LF. Obesity and multiple sclerosis susceptibility: a review. J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016:1(7):1-5.
3. Healy BC, Eman A, Guttmann CRG, et al. Smoking and disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 2009;66(7):858-864.
1. Dalgas U, Stenager E. Exercise and disease progression in multiple sclerosis: can exercise slow down the progression of multiple sclerosis? Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2012;5(2):81-95.
2. Gianfrancesco MA, Barcellos LF. Obesity and multiple sclerosis susceptibility: a review. J Neurol Neuromedicine. 2016:1(7):1-5.
3. Healy BC, Eman A, Guttmann CRG, et al. Smoking and disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol. 2009;66(7):858-864.
