Impact of Multiple Sclerosis on Patients’ Daily Activities, Emotional Well-Being and Relationships: Results of the Global vsMS™ Survey (P3.334)

Objective: To assess the impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) on individuals’ daily activities, emotional well-being, relationships, and employment. Background: vsMS is a global survey of individuals with MS and their care partners designed to evaluate the emotional and physical impact of MS. Greater understanding of the burden of MS in a real-world setting may aid education of healthcare providers and individuals with MS and their care partners and help improve treatment and outcomes. Design/Methods: A 20-minute electronic survey was completed by 1075 participants with MS and 580 care partners from Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, and US. Questions assessed the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive impact of MS. Participation criteria for individuals with MS included: age ≥18 years, literacy in the local language, and diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS. Individuals were recruited via survey panel partners by Kantar Health. Results: Participants reported their daily activities were limited by fatigue (76%; 18% severely), bladder/urinary problems associated with MS (45%; 8% severely), depression or anxiety (48%; 7% severely), trouble concentrating (52%; 8% severely), and ability to understand or learn new things (41%; 5% severely). Since being diagnosed, 71% of participants agreed that potential disability worsening was their greatest concern; 49% felt their future outlook, and 44% felt their emotional well-being, had worsened; 26% feared their partner may leave them; and 44% felt less sexually attractive. 64% of participants thought their MS affected their ability to keep their job, and 50% felt their ability to progress in their career had worsened. 79% did not require a mobility aid. Conclusions: Participants reported that MS limits their daily activities and negatively impacts their emotional well-being and overall outlook, including concerns about future disability, relationships, and employment. These data highlight the importance of addressing disease burden in daily practice. Study Supported by: Sanofi Genzyme. Disclosure: Dr. Bass has received personal compensation for activities with Sanofi Genzyme, Biogen, Teva, Novartis, Mallinckrodt, and Genentech-Roche as a speaker and consultant. Dr. Bass has received research support from Sanofi Genzyme, Genentech-Roche, Biogen, Novartis, and TG Therapeutics. Dr. Van Wijmeersch has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen, Merck, Roche, Sanofi Genzyme, and Novartis as a speaker and advisory board member. Dr. Van Wijmeersch has received research support from Biogen, Merck, Sanofi Genzyme, and Novartis. Dr. Mayer has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen, Novartis, Genentech, and Sanofi Genzyme. Dr. Maurer has received personal compensation for activities with Bayer HealthCare, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi Genzyme, EMD Serono, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, Talecris, and Teva CNS. Dr. Mandel has received personal compensation for activities with Sanofi Genzyme as an employee Dr. Sharrock has received personal compensation for activities with Sanofi Genzyme as an employee. Dr. Singer has received personal compensation for activities with Acorda, Bayer, Biogen, EMD Serono, Genentech, Novartis, Sanofi Genzyme, and Teva CNS as a speaker and/or consultant. Dr. Singer has received research support from Acorda, Biogen, MedImmune, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi Genzyme.